Value chain it - Articles - Page 15

The Future of ERP and Why Your Software Doesn't Matter Anymore

December 5, 2012

Imagine a day in the not-so-distant future: A woman strolls past "dress shop #12." A GPS application on her smartphone pings the store's CRM system, alerting it of the woman's proximity to the store. The system automatically searches her purchasing history, connecting her most recent internet search for floral, pleated skirts to the last such skirt in stock now at Dress Shop #12 - in her exact size. The system then texts her a 10-percent discount on the desired item, along with the store's address. The woman sees the store, enters and purchases the item. The transaction is processed and the sale is reported to the inventory system. A replenishment order is sent to a 3PL warehouse in the Philippines, and on the next delivery, a new floral pleated skirt arrives at the store. The woman leaves with the merchandise, and before she gets home, an email is already waiting in her inbox providing a coupon for her next store visit.

Is POS Information Being Utilized to Full Advantage?

December 4, 2012

CRM Daily

The payment point in a retail environment is an under-utilized opportunity to up-sell and cross-sell. It says that both retailers and brands could benefit from considering ways to capitalize upon this crucial step in the consumer journey, as apart from driving sales, it is an excellent moment to increase customer loyalty.

Traditional ERP Wasn't Very User-Friendly, But That May Be Changing

December 3, 2012

Technology Evaluation Centers

ERP software was notorious for years for its tenuous usability, due to the software's overall complexity and lack of appropriate technical instrumentality to provide desired interface features. Not any more.

Cost Modeling Can Dramatically Reduce Procurement Expense

November 30, 2012

Inside Supply Management

Projected cost modeling can help supply management organizations reduce procurement costs and generate information that could improve cost performance throughout the supply chain. Supply management professionals are aware that cost is often an important factor in making an informed business decision. And cost models can turn cost data into cost information, which can help organizations make better business decisions.

Managing Multichannel Information as it Happens - and 7 Reasons Why CXOs Can't Ignore It

November 29, 2012

Mikael LyngsÃ¸, CEO, Stibo Systems

Over the last two decades, businesses have worked feverishly to optimize their physical supply chains. Virtually every discussion about improving the supply chain has been centered on the physical movement of goods - the flow of products from raw materials to consumption. However, a growing number of companies are now taking a similar interest in optimizing the flow and management of the information related to these products.

Africa Attracts Businesses, But Internet Infrastructure Requires Much More Development

November 28, 2012

BCG Perspectives

Africa is becoming more attractive to manufacturers and other businesses, but the 2012 BCG e-Intensity Index reveals inconsistency in Africa. Governments of the countries moving up the rankings look to encourage internet use among consumers, businesses and within government itself because they recognize that it can be a powerful edge in the competitive global economy. Other countries risk falling further behind. Is the glass half empty or half full? This is the question that the results of the 2012 BCG e-Intensity Index pose to governments across Africa.

Keep It Simple Because Your Company Directors Likely Don't Really Understand IT

November 20, 2012

CIO

Even as companies are relying more on technology to come up with innovative business models and fresh ideas for finding new revenue, many boards of directors don't understand enough about IT to keep up.

As Important as CRM Is, It's You and Your People Who Most Affect Customer Relationships

November 19, 2012

CRM Buyer

You can love CRM as a discipline, but don't have any illusions about its ability to survive in the cruel world. The reality is that customer relationships are fragile things; they need the right environment to flourish and be profitable.

Theft Ring Victimizes Stores and Customers with Compromised PIN Pads

November 16, 2012

Storefront Backtalk

A ring of Canadian thieves who were caught with 30,700 stolen payment-card numbers is providing a view inside the process of tampering with PIN pads - and it's not pretty. On November 9, Toronto police said a five-man gang had tens of thousands of stolen card numbers on PCs and USB thumb-drives, along with at least a dozen stolen POS devices.

Airbus Expands RFID Part Marking Across All of Its Aircraft Families

November 15, 2012

RFID Journal

In July 2009, Airbus became the first commercial aircraft manufacturer to announce plans to employ permanent radio frequency identification tags on parts for its A350 XWB aircraft. Approximately 3,000 serialized, replaceable, repairable parts with a limited lifespan were covered. To date, the company has received and successfully tested its RFID tagged parts as the first A350 XWB aircraft make their way through the production process. Now, Airbus is the first aircraft manufacturer to expand the permanent tagging of selected parts across its entire fleet.