News

Today, top management teams are talking about the digitalization of supply chains end-to-end, using old as well as new technology and methodology like Internet of Things (IoT), big data technology and industry/process standardization and automation. It’s to a large extent about a skill shift, again, and this time from innovation economy to digitalization. The ongoing re-conceptualization of supply chains will open up for concepts like Industry 4.0 and Seamless Supply Chains.

Today, one of the most exciting topics in the supply chain debate is IoT (Internet of Things), in connection with for example “supply chain visibility end-to-end” and “Industry  4.0”,where industrial robots and other automation systems are connected and capable of reacting to market demand and responding accordingly.

The PipeChain Customer Day is, as usual, free to attend and includes a presentation of how IKEA Industry works with its supply chain, product news about PipeChain and a guided tour of IKEA Industrys' operations. It is also an excellent opportunity to network with other PipeChain users.

Many large companies struggle to achieve full visibility into their supply chain and to connect order and transport management. This is especially true for inbound delivery notifications and shipments from suppliers, but also for many outbound delivery and transport flows.

As supply chains become more and more complex and widespread, ERP systems and supply chain planning have difficulties in accessing critical supply chain information and support users in their understanding of end-to-end flows. Critical information in the flow can often be invisible, due to a lack of close collaboration between the trading partners in the supply chain.

Thirty plus participants from Sweden and Europe participated. The day began with a tour of the Findus production plant and was followed by a presentation of how Findus works in the supply chain.

Chalmers University Professors Stig-Arne Mattsson and Patrik Jonsson describes in their latest publication, "Best practice in inventory management in Swedish industry", guidelines for how companies can improve their inventory management.

The latest version of PipeChain Software suite, version 4.9.5, is now available for all our customers. We have compiled some of the most significant new features and updates included in the new version.

Axis Communications AB, a world leader in network video, digital video surveillance, and PipeChain AB have entered into a partnership to visualize, control and automate Axis supply chain for incoming materials. Axis aims to create a more efficient supply chain through increased collaboration with suppliers, thereby reducing costs.

We see pioneering trends that embrace each other and will push Supply Chain Execution forward.  Some examples are; Demand Driven Supply Chain (adapting supplies to real needs, still hot), Supply Chain Visibility (hotter), OmniChannel Retailing (consumers buy through various channels, such as growing e-commerce, and relate to offers pushed in-store to their smartphones, new and hot).

Even today you find manual order processing and order generation based on bad forecasts, subjective assumptions and outdated re-ordering points. The result is delays, shortages and unnecessary costs.

The lack of order status creates delays and unnecessary costs in the supply chain. Even though most companies are able to take on this challenge, our experience is that they instead focus on internal improvement projects, missing an opportunity to increase efficiencies - and profits.

Web portals are a good first step and provide a quick rollout. But they mean that your partners in the supply chain are working manually in two systems (portal and their own ERP system), leading to higher administration, the risk of manual errors and longer information lead times than necessary.

Pipe Chain launches standardized integration adapters that provide opportunities for your customers and suppliers (business partners) who currently work in order portals to integrate some or all of their messages with their ERP system. Solutions include both local installations and PipeChain’s service (SaaS), and manage multiple integration formats.

Twenty plus participants from Sweden and Europe participated. The day began with a tour of the Höganäs production plant and was followed by a presentation of how Höganäs uses Pipe Chain.