The Brief – December 2018

Multi-party Solutions for Supply Chain: Part One

By Ann Grackin

Thursday, December 06, 2018

Multi-party supply chain networks. What are they? Why do we need them? [ Read: Multi – party Solutions for Supply Chain: Part One ]

X-Factory: Part One — A Paradigm for Smart Connected Factories

X-Factory is a demonstration factory (making real products) created by PTC to help manufacturers visualize a path to the Smart Factory. Here we describe what makes a factory smart and get a look at the engineering, material handling, and chassis manufacturing stages. [ Read: X-Factory: Part One — A Paradigm for Smart Connected Factoriese ]

Romaine Remains: Will the Romaine Lettuce E. coli Outbreak Hasten or Hinder Traceability In Produce Supply Chains?

As the saying goes, “never let a good crisis go to waste.” Ironically, the industry’s response to the recent crises of E. coli contamination of romaine lettuce may delay rather than speed up implementation of traceability across produce supply chains. [ Read: Romaine Remains: Will the Romaine Lettuce E. coli Outbreak Hasten or Hinder Traceability In Produce Supply Chains? ]

Digital Supply Chains: Part Eight — Getting Started

Many businesses see the vision of a 100% digital supply chain as a ‘bridge too far.’ Thankfully, there are ways to start small, making a modest improvement to a single step of a single process and then growing from there. By starting small, results are seen quickly, investment and risks are minimized, and success can be built upon quickly. [ Read: Digital Supply Chains: Part Eight — Getting Started ]