Warehousing - Supra National Express

4 Common Pitfalls in Transportation Optimization Strategies

Data is everyone in today’s supply chain, from insight into current fuel surcharges to warehouse transfer dynamics. But is that data being put to use? According to Forbes, “ 60-73% of enterprise data sits idle on servers somewhere in the cloud, a squandered resource never tapped for the benefit of the business.” That untapped data is a massive resource and transportation optimization, but problems still exist. Why? There’s so much happening that things can and do go wrong.

Many pitfalls can prevent logistics service providers and shippers from achieving their desired outcomes. The wrong approach can lead to errors and delays, from efficient routes and adequate resources to reliable delivery methods, pushing transportation costs higher. To ensure your business runs as smoothly as possible, it’s essential to avoid these common mistakes when optimizing transportation strategies. Here are some of the most common pitfalls in optimizing transportation strategies and how Supra’s changing the narrative.

Pitfall 1: Not Understanding the Problem

Transportation optimization is among the most complex processes on the planet. It’s constantly changing and subject to enormous risks. As a result, it’s essential to understand the problem before attempting to solve it.

Part of this may include evaluating the existing transportation process, accounting for changes in lead times, and analyzing shipments for risks. When a problem is fully identified, freight management parties must look outside of the box for solutions.

Such solutions may or may not align with their typical operations and processes. However, recognizing the opportunities versus costs is the best first step. Plus, it will go a long way toward reducing confusion and prioritizing high-risk problems. Supra approaches every load with this mindset and identifies all possible issues and their solutions.

Pitfall 2: Not Utilizing Transportation Optimization Software

In today’s world, technology is essential for optimizing transportation strategies. Route optimization software can help companies plan efficient routes and reduce costs. Companies should also consider using other types of technology, such as GPS tracking systems and automated dispatching systems, to improve their transportation strategies further.

One such technology that is gaining traction in the logistics industry is NavTrac, an AI-powered digital yard management system. NavTrac leverages computer vision to capture and track assets in digital form, thereby automating the asset inventorying process and eliminating recording errors. This helps companies gain real-time visibility into their assets, enabling them to optimize their supply chain operations, reduce costs, and improve customer service.

People can still make mistakes even with a plan to use technology fully. People can still make mistakes. In other words, transportation optimization requires training staff on the correct use of technology, clear instructions that must be followed, employee performance tracking, and feedback when needed.

Pitfall 3: Failing to Consider Safety

Safety is integral to a successful transportation strategy and should be noticed when planning and executing operations. Failing to prioritize safety can lead to violations or fines from governing bodies and other problems such as catastrophic accidents and costly litigation. Still, logistics software can help companies prioritize safety by providing more data on resource availability, including labor resources and tracking equipment maintenance.

Companies must be proactive in implementing safety measures that comply with industry regulations. Additionally, Supra’s use of advanced technology, including NavTrac, helps to improve safety by carefully and accurately tracking all gate movements and ensuring everyone knows what’s happening. That additional data stream helps to reduce risk in the yard and avoids bottlenecks at the dock. In turn, everyone enjoys a safer and more successful loading/unloading process.

Pitfall 4: Not Planning for the Future and Lacking Agility

When optimizing transportation strategies, companies should consider their current needs and plan for future changes. This includes evaluating trends in the industry and anticipating changes in customer demands. Companies should also consider regulatory developments affecting their operations and factor these into their plans.

Responsiveness also enables companies to react quickly when unforeseen issues arise. This helps them avoid delays or increased costs, allowing them to remain competitive in the market. Companies should ensure that they have processes that enable quick responsiveness and adaptation to changes.

Overcome These Barriers With Supra and Freight Optimization Software

Overall, optimizing your transportation strategy requires careful planning and the ability to adapt quickly. Companies should prioritize safety measures, plan for future changes in customer demands, and be responsive when unforeseen issues arise. That starts with choosing the right partner.

With Supra’s expertise and industry knowledge, businesses of any size can benefit from increased efficiency while saving money on costs associated with logistics management. Connect with an expert from Supra to optimize your transportation needs today. And be sure sure to check out our new online quoting tool, DrayMaster, and get your quote in under a minute.

Best Practices for Warehousing and Distribution

Disruption is everywhere, and according to DC Velocity, most companies (71%) are preparing for future disruptions in the supply chain by investing in new capabilities. This includes maximizing container use with street turns and strategic partnerships within warehousing and distribution logistics. Expertise in street turns is a unique solution for importers and exporters. A focus on warehousing and distribution delivers efficient and cost-effective results.

Software development enables advanced systems and services to simplify logistics. Together this enhances supply chain management and improves client profitability. With disruptions becoming increasingly likely, importers and exporters must have a clear set of best practices for warehousing and distribution to ensure smooth operations. Let’s take a closer look at these practices and how to implement them.

Keep Your Warehousing & Distribution Inventory Organized and Up-To-Date

Warehousing and distribution are two essential components of the supply chain process. Proper inventory management is vital in ensuring that storage facilities and warehouse processes run smoothly. Most companies leverage an existing warehouse management system atop existing systems to track stock. However, the real trick is ensuring the system functions in real time. Accurately tracking stock levels helps to ensure orders are fulfilled. Meanwhile, this keeps records up-to-date and prevents discrepancies. In turn, it reduces product availability issues, while regular updates allow businesses to forecast future demands better and save costs.

Investing in the right systems to organize your inventory can help optimize operations for successful warehousing and distribution. An Adobe survey found nearly 50%warehouses have implemented new technologies to improve operations. Additionally, a G2 report found that companies with automated inventory management systems experienced an average increase of 10% in sales growth. Investing in the right technology ensures efficient warehousing and distribution processes. Together, the blend of technology and services keep customers satisfied and drive sales growth.

Use Proper Packaging to Protect Your Products

Proper packaging and warehousing distribution logistics are integral to ensuring that products are delivered safely and securely. Providing high-quality packaging materials to protect goods from physical damage, moisture erosion, and other issues is paramount. Still, businesses must consider the influence of packaging differences. After all, the packaging is your first opportunity to impress a customer physically.

It also helps convey the identity and professionalism of a business, forming a solid first impression for customers. Furthermore, outsourcing warehousing and distribution logistics will help get the goods out promptly without any costly delays. Hence, businesses should invest in quality packaging materials. Still, knowing what separates good from mediocre packaging can be tricky.

Choose the Right Shipping, Warehousing and Distribution Method for Your Needs

Selecting the correct shipping option for your needs is essential for successful warehousing and distribution. You have multiple delivery options for your B2B and B2C brands:

Standard ground shipping.

Delivery to storefronts.

Delivery to third-party warehouses.

Express overnight delivery.

Transport to a rail or air ramp.

Researching different logistics strategies will ensure that you select the reliable method of shipping most suited to your requirements. Further, higher customer satisfaction rates are associated with shipping at competitive prices and when using efficient tracking capabilities.

Track Warehouse Yard Departures and Arrivals Automatically.

A warehouse management system is a great start for operational excellence. But there’s another opportunity in the yard. Investing in a service provider that leverages a yard management system is essential for effective warehouse operations.

A yard management system, such as NAVTRAC, helps automatically:

Track the arrivals and departures of warehouse yard vehicles.

Streamline processes.

Boost visibility.

Maximize utilization.

Minimize dwell time.

Reduce administrative costs.

Lowers confusion.

Streamlines billing.

Reduces risk of accessorials.

How? It collects data with machine vision technology to verify vehicle identities using an image-based recognition platform.

This allows you to pinpoint the exact location of any vehicle at any given time. NAVTRAC monitors fleets’ movements in real time without manual intervention. This contributes to increased staff productivity and improved safety. It is a secure, reliable solution that delivers practical benefits from day one. This level of detail is also crucial to leveraging cross-docking too.

Stay Compliant With All Regulations and Laws With Integrated Systems.

Integrating systems is essential for meeting all regulatory and compliance requirements for e-commerce businesses and beyond. Regulations favor reporting and instant traceability in all activities. An integrated warehousing system can achieve this goal by:

Generating reports quickly and accurately.

Sharing reports with relevant parties, including CBP.

Transferring data to other systems for ESG reporting purposes too.

Enabling the efficient use of resources to increase operational efficiency.

Leverage Facilities Located Within Free Trade Zones (FTZ).

Companies operating in California can use Free Trade Zones (FTZs) to leverage a range of beneficial resources, including ways to reduce costs, speed up deliveries, and boost warehousing processes. These include specialized labor, duty exemptions and delays, streamlined customs processes, and flexible warehousing solutions. Utilizing these resources has enabled organizations to increase their global competitiveness and expand their operations successfully. Such incentives support effective international trade. Ultimately, leveraging Free Trade Zones continues to be an instrumental component of an effective growth strategy.

Have a Contingency Plan for Warehousing Distribution

Every business should have a plan and be ready to go should an unforeseen event occur. Without such preparation, your organization could face a chaotic situation with no strategies or resources to help manage it. A well-thought-out contingency plan is crucial to success. It ensures that:

Everyone knows their role.

Accounts for all potential risks.

Identifies effective solutions for managing those risks.

Outlines the steps for recovery.

Of course, that contingency plan is only as useful as it is shareable. In other words, it’s imperative for organizations to keep run drills and work together to ensure the warehouse doesn’t fail if a problem arises. That’s especially true for areas of the country where environmental factors are extreme.

Boost Your Warehousing and Distribution Strategy With Supra National Express

A well-run warehouse distribution center is critical to the success of any business that ships products and especially those involved in international trade. Following the tips in this blog post streamlines your warehousing and distribution operations. And remember that automation and applied technology are essential to your success. It’s time to put the power warehousing, distribution, and holistic logistics tech for drayage and beyond to work. Connect with the experts at Distribution by Supra National Express.

Milk Run Tips and Tricks in Logistics

Shippers are always looking for ways to optimize their supply chain and save on costs. One way to do this is by using a milk run. A milk run is a type of route planning where shippers consolidate shipments from multiple locations into one trip. Fortunately, combining the use of supply chain technology across every milk run can be a great way to reduce transportation costs and improve efficiency. And milk runs can yield significant benefits, reports All Things Supply Chain, “Milk-run logistics can help companies reduce their inventory levels by making just-in-time (JIT) deliveries. With a milk run, suppliers deliver materials to a central location regularly. From there, the materials are redistributed to individual customers as needed.” But the milk run meaning can be a bit confusing, and finding ways to improve milk runs is even more challenging. There are some things to keep in mind when using this strategy. This blog post will share some tips and tricks for milk run success in logistics and how shippers seeking warehouse transfers to maximize storage space can do so successfully.

Define Your Goals for Each Milk Run

A milk-run process is a form of distribution that involves frequent visits to multiple locations to carry out various activities. To be successful with milk runs, it is crucial to define clear goals and create a plan which includes the resources required, the effectiveness of the operating system, and well-defined measures of success. The goals must be specific and achievable on time. They should include setting targets for cost savings, service improvements, inventory management, and delivery times. Supply chain managers and freight forwarding agents should also use good measurement tools to assess progress accurately and ensure that employees understand their key performance indicators. With well-defined goals and suitable measures of success, milk-run operations can optimize results while improving customer satisfaction.

Develop a Milk Run Route Map

When developing a route map for your deliveries, s into consideration. Whether outsourcing warehouse services or running operations from your facility, being aware of transfer timings will help maximize efficiency overall. Keeping in mind traffic patterns and ensuring Timely delivery is essential to provide good service, so it’s important to plan and allocate enough time for each local area.

Other factors, such as the availability of parking spots and alternative routes, should also be considered when mapping out a delivery route. By considering all these elements, you will have established the most efficient route plan possible, leading to greater customer satisfaction.

Train Your Team

Milk-run operations need to provide comprehensive training for their personnel to run efficiently and safely. Adequate trainingf prevents unexpected issues from happening during milk runs and allows the team to stay on schedule. Milk runs demand a variety of tasks such as driving, loading, and unloading cargo, and manual labor–all of which require specific skill sets that the team must possess to be successful. Employees should clearly understand regulations, safety procedures, policies, and protocols.

To ensure that all members are thoroughly trained, employers can utilize different types of training, such as one-on-one coaching, classroom instruction, computer-based programs, or hands-on seminars. Exercise helps build trust between employees and management while motivating them to accomplish all milk run obligations with quality results. With comprehensive training at the helm, milk runs will surely be able to reach their destinations without issues or delays.

Stay Organized

In warehouse logistics, staying organized and keeping track of orders and deliveries is essential. Not only will this allow warehouse managers to quickly identify and address any issues that may arise during a milk run, but it also helps create an efficient warehouse system by ensuring that inventory levels remain accurate. This makes it easier to maintain the warehouse’s operations which can lead to greater customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Simply put, taking the time to stay organized and manage your warehouse processes will work wonders for warehouse efficiency and customer satisfaction while also reducing your reliance on third-party vendors or transactions for empty container transportation.

Be Flexible

Staying flexible on warehouse transfers is key to maintaining an efficient operation and meeting tight delivery deadlines. No matter how comprehensive the strategy and detailed the planning are, things can still go wrong, or unexpected obstacles can arise. Adjusting and adapting to the situation is an invaluable tool for warehouse managers; staying nimble can mean the difference between successful deliveries and missed opportunities. In many warehouse operations, being flexible is paramount when reaching clients on time and maintaining their trust.

Leverage Tech by Supra to Improve Your Milk Run Efficiency

By staying organized and flexible, you can keep things running smoothly even when you inevitably hit road bumps. If you’re looking for ways to boost your use of street turn container while managing milk runs, check out Supra’s 121 Bermuda today. And be sure to stay tuned to learn more as new technologies and capabilities are released to make it easier to handle milk runs and overall logistics as well.

Get your quote now by trying Supra’s new Online Rate Tool and get your quote within a minute:

Or get in touch with Supra’s Sales Team at (424) 267-1155 or by email: rfp@snecorp.com.

7 Reasons to Strategically Source Warehousing and Yard Space

One of the most important considerations for importers and exporters is logistics warehousing and yard storage space,. Properly sourced yard management and warehousing storage provide a secure location to store goods, allowing buyers and sellers to manage their operations better, while also using supply chain technology to boost throughput. Strategic sourcing of logistics warehousing near the San Pedro Bay Complex is crucial to reducing overhead and streamlining transportation. You cannot afford to make rash decisions with so much riding on your yard and warehouse in logistics partnerships. Let’s take a closer look at the top seven reasons to choose your logistics warehousing and yard management software partners more easily and carefully.

1. Cost Savings of Outsourced Logistics Warehousing

Strategically sourcing logistics warehousing on the West Coast can lead to hard shipping and transport cost reductions. This is especially true for goods travelling to or from Asia. The ports in the San Pedro Bay Complex are less than a day’s drive from six major logistics hubs in Southern California, allowing companies to save money by utilizing existing infrastructure. Additionally, warehouse space in this region may be more affordable due to its close proximity to these logistics hubs and access to a wider drayage service network.

2. Accessibility to Major Network Nodes via Tech Warehouse Connections

In addition to cost savings through logistics warehousing and yard storage space, strategic sourcing on the West Coast allows businesses to reduce transit times. With quick access to major logistics centers, products coming from Asia can easily cross the Pacific Ocean and reach their customers sooner with fewer delays. This shorter transit time becomes even more important when dealing with perishables or other fast-moving goods since delays can lead to costly losses due to spoilage or obsolescence of products. For this reason, importers and exporters should look into logistics warehousing options near the San Pedro Bay Complex when looking for ways to manage their supply chain efficiently and cost-effectively.

3. Improved Delivery Times Via Outsourced Logistics Warehousing

Sourcing logistics warehousing closer to where goods are produced or delivered has many advantages, the most notable being improved delivery times. By strategically sourcing logistics warehousing near major logistics hubs such as those in the San Pedro Bay Complex, buyers and sellers can reduce transit times due to quicker access to freight services, hitting major highways and rail ramps faster and with fewer delays. Why?

The answer is simple. Customers expect to have their orders arrive within three business days, says RetailDive, and as a result, importers and exporters need to ensure their goods are moving through their networks as quickly and as cost-effectively as possible. This is especially beneficial when dealing with perishables or other fast-moving goods since delays can lead to costly losses due to spoilage or obsolescence of products. Further, these partnerships can open the door to more street turn container, such as 121 Bermuda, which can reduce costs and transit time even further.

4. Quality Control

When you source logistics warehousing strategically, you can ensure that your goods are properly cared for from start to finish – from production all the way through delivery – reducing potential issues with quality control.

Quality control is an essential part of logistics warehousing and yard management. When goods are sourced strategically, companies can ensure that their products are stored properly, handled correctly and monitored for safety and quality standards. Quality control in logistics warehousing and yard management is necessary to guarantee that goods are stored securely and kept up to date with current regulations. This

5. Flexibility & Scalability

Strategic sourcing allows for greater flexibility when it comes to storage needs; warehouses near ports can scale up quickly should individual businesses experience sudden spikes in demand or need additional capacity throughout the full year.

Flexibility and scalability are key benefits of strategically sourcing logistics warehousing near ports. Companies can quickly increase their storage capacity when needed to meet unexpected spikes in demand, or during peak seasons. This is especially helpful for businesses dealing with rapidly changing logistics needs such as those in retail and e-commerce sectors. Additionally, logistics warehousing and yard storage spaces near ports may offer more flexible contracts that better suit companies’ changing needs.

6 Enhanced Security & Insurance Options

Being located close proximity to major ports means there is increased security available which could be taken advantage of by companies looking for extra protection against theft or damage while storing goods.

Without the right security measures in place, goods stored in warehouses or yards are vulnerable to theft, as well as physical and environmental damage. In an increasingly globalized market, where goods must move quickly from one location to another.

One of the greatest benefits to strategic logistics warehousing is access to expertise and support from logistics experts close by, providing businesses with much-needed peace of mind when it comes to storing their goods securely.

Insurance is critical for logistics warehousing, especially near the San Pedro Bay Complex, where goods must move quickly from one location to another. Logistics warehousing near ports allows businesses to take advantage of the best insurance options and rates available, providing an extra layer of security for stored goods and protecting company reputations.

7. Expertise & Support

Technology can be used to improve the efficiency and accuracy of warehouse pickups and deliveries. For example, warehouse management systems (WMS) can track and record the movement of inventory within a warehouse, providing real-time visibility into stock levels and enabling efficient picking and packing of orders. Transportation management systems (TMS) can be used to optimize routes and schedule deliveries, reducing fuel costs and improving delivery times.

In addition, technologies such as RFID (radio-frequency identification) tags and scanners can be used to track the movement of goods within the warehouse and facilitate more accurate and efficient picking and packing. Barcode scanners and other automated systems can also be used to improve accuracy and speed up the process of checking in and checking out deliveries.

The use of these technologies have a natural implication for better managing truck appointments can help warehouse managers better understand and optimize their operations, leading to increased efficiency and cost savings. It can also improve customer satisfaction by enabling faster and more accurate delivery of goods, and a crucial component of all these systems is sharing that information across systems to ensure everything moves smoothly. Supra’s use of NavTrack is another example of how quickly a third-party technology can boost efficiency as well.

Streamline Your West Coast Logistics Warehousing and Yard Management Needs

If your business deals with importing or exporting, you know that careful planning is essential to success. The factors we’ve outlined should be taken into consideration when selecting warehousing and yard space for your business’s needs. By partnering with Supra National Express, you can ensure that your imported and exported goods are stored and shipped according to all the necessary regulations, ensuring a smooth process from start to finish. Contact Supra National Express to get started on streamlining your import/export business.