Feature

A Call To Create Sustainable Supply Chain Management Practices

By: Dr. Mary C. Holcomb, University of Tennessee  

This past year presented unprecedented challenges to firms as economies worldwide moved into recession.  The tough economic times significantly impacted how companies of all sizes managed and operated their supply chains.  The 830 companies that participated in our 18th annual study on the trends and issues in logistics and transportation told us that the economic hardship is being compounded by unpredictable demand, increased customer requirements, and volatile commodity and fuel prices.  All of these factors are making 2009 one of the most difficult operating years ever for businesses.

Read more about the research on the annual trends and issues, as well as sustainable supply chain management practices.  

 Learn more about Transporation-Trends and Issues in Logistics and Transporation

News From TwinEngines

Lean eCommerce for Marine Supplies Retailer

TwinEngines designed and implemented a B2C eCommerce web presence for River Supply, a marine supplies retailer and life raft services company in Savannah, GA. The new sales channel (www.riversupply.com) enables River Supply to increase sales and expand into new markets giving consumers online access to their quality marine supplies at low prices.

The Internet shopping venue is integrated to the Microsoft Dynamics GP accounting system, to UPS online shipping tools, and the Authorize.net credit card gateway. Integrating the eCommerce website to internal and vendor systems used in the value chain consolidates order processing and simplifies fulfillment and warehouse management tasks.

For the consumer, the eCommerce website offers an optimal shopping experience, and helps cultivate better relationships by providing:

1. Advance product search and refined search capability
2. Detailed information about products, related products and services
3. Real-time inventory availability and UPS shipping costs at time of purchase
4. Secure credit card checkout and optional customer accounts
5. An intuitive interface

While the website works smoothly for consumers, it also works efficiently for River Supply:

1. Employees manage the product catalog and web content for search engines in one administration web tool
2. Centralized order processing for both store and online purchases
3. Employees enter SKUs, pricing schedules and inventory counts in one system
4. One fulfillment process for online orders and for store orders requiring shipping
5. Simple reconciliation of credit card payments for online sales

TwinEngines worked with River Supply to simplify the flow of information, to consolidate management tasks and to eliminate duplicate work processes. By extending lean manufacturing principles and value stream management to websites and eCommerce, TwinEngines creates efficiencies for small and mid-market companies.  Whether your website targets dealers, distributors and wholesalers or your website allows consumers to purchase your products, TwinEngines can create an effective web presence that meets your business goals.

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