by Fronetics | Mar 9, 2015 | Blog, Supply Chain
The Internet of Things (IoT) “represents the convergence of the physical and digital worlds. Physical objects are equipped with technology that enables the object to send and receive information via fixed-wire or wireless communications links to the Internet, and to then transmit information in one form or another.”
In 2003 there were an estimated 500 million IoT-connected devices. By 2010 there were 12.5 billion connected devices. Morgan Stanley estimates that there will be 75 billion IoT devices by 2020. Cisco makes a more conservative estimate 50 billion. Whether it is Morgan Stanley or Cisco who proves correct, what is clear is that the number of internet connected devices is growing exponentially.
Consumer convenience is often the focus of the IoT. However, the capabilities of the IoT reach far beyond consumer convenience. The IoT is game-changing for the logistics and supply chain industries. The IoT delivers the visibility and data necessary for supply chain optimization.
One Network Enterprises, a supply chain technology provider, offers this supply chain example:
“[The IoT] refers to data communication among a large range of assets or devices—from your fridge to your oven or, more pertinently, from your inventory to its container, from the container to the carrier, from the pallet to the warehouse. The more your assets can ‘speak’ to one another and share data, the more they can work together to help you improve your processes.”
The IoT has already moved into industrial environments including warehouses and manufacturing plants.
Examples of where the IoT is already having an impact on supply chains include:
- Transparency and visibility
- Proactive replenishment
- Predictive maintenance
- Reduction in asset loss
- Manufacturing flow management
- Product development and commercialization.
- Risk management.
- Operational efficiency
- Improved fleet management
The transparency and end-to-end visibility afforded by the IoT creates new opportunities that supply chain professionals can leverage in order to optimize supply chains and generate value. It is important to look at the potential of the IoT now and not later. The amount of data alone that is generated by the IoT creates a paradigm shift. Companies that embrace the Internet of Things and identify where and how it can play a role for their business will move forward and leave those who do not behind.
The Internet of Things has the potential to change everything.
To learn more about how the Internet of Things has and will continue to impact the supply chain see the full article How the Internet of Things will change your world on Supply Chain Quarterly. The article includes a focus on Internet of things and the warehouse.
![A different kind of green for the logistics and supply chain industries: St. Patrick’s Day [Infographic]](https://www.fronetics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/St.-Patricks-Day-Infographic-800x675.jpg)
by Fronetics | Mar 5, 2015 | Blog, Supply Chain
St. Patrick’s Day by the numbers.
Between 1820 and 1930, nearly 4.5 million Irish immigrants made America their home. They brought with them their love for their home country and thus began a centuries-long annual celebration of all things Irish in America.
Today more than 122 million Americans celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day, making the holiday lucky for logistics and supply chain companies. From the delivery of 13 million pints of Guinness beer to pubs across the country to the packaging and transporting of holiday-themed parade and party supplies, it’s clear that green can lead to gold for these companies.
Check out our St. Patrick’s Day infographic and see why they call it the ‘luck o’ the Irish’.
by Fronetics | Mar 5, 2015 | Blog, Supply Chain
St. Patrick’s Day by the numbers.
Between 1820 and 1930, nearly 4.5 million Irish immigrants made America their home. They brought with them their love for their home country and thus began a centuries-long annual celebration of all things Irish in America.
Today more than 122 million Americans celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day, making the holiday lucky for logistics and supply chain companies. From the delivery of 13 million pints of Guinness beer to pubs across the country to the packaging and transporting of holiday-themed parade and party supplies, it’s clear that green can lead to gold for these companies.
Check out our St. Patrick’s Day infographic and see why they call it the ‘luck o’ the Irish’.
by Fronetics | Mar 4, 2015 | Blog, Marketing, Social Media
Social lurking doesn’t drive value; engagement drives value.
To realize the benefits and seize the opportunities afforded by social media, companies need to use the information and intelligence gathered through social listening. Another essential component for success: engagement. Engagement is a differentiator. In the absence of engagement you are a lurker. Social lurking doesn’t drive value. You don’t want to be a lurker.
To realize the benefits of social media and social listening you need to actively engage with customers and others via social media.
What is engagement?
Engagement is the act of interfacing with customers and others via your company’s established social media accounts. How can your company engage? Here are some ideas for engagement:
- Ask questions
- Answer questions
- Provide clarification
- Weigh in on a discussion/topic
- Thank followers for their ideas, suggestions, and feedback
- Highlight when/how you have used customer feedback to make changes to a product or service
- Simply let people know you are listening to their comments and feedback.
Social media can be a strategic tool – if used correctly. Engage, don’t lurk.
by Fronetics | Mar 4, 2015 | Blog, Marketing, Social Media
Social lurking doesn’t drive value; engagement drives value.
To realize the benefits and seize the opportunities afforded by social media, companies need to use the information and intelligence gathered through social listening. Another essential component for success: engagement. Engagement is a differentiator. In the absence of engagement you are a lurker. Social lurking doesn’t drive value. You don’t want to be a lurker.
To realize the benefits of social media and social listening you need to actively engage with customers and others via social media.
What is engagement?
Engagement is the act of interfacing with customers and others via your company’s established social media accounts. How can your company engage? Here are some ideas for engagement:
- Ask questions
- Answer questions
- Provide clarification
- Weigh in on a discussion/topic
- Thank followers for their ideas, suggestions, and feedback
- Highlight when/how you have used customer feedback to make changes to a product or service
- Simply let people know you are listening to their comments and feedback.
Social media can be a strategic tool – if used correctly. Engage, don’t lurk.
by Fronetics | Mar 3, 2015 | Blog, Marketing, Social Media
Social listening creates opportunities.
Social listening is the process of monitoring social media to identify and assess what is being said about a company, individual, brand, product, or service. Through social listening you can gain market intelligence and intelligence about how your brand is perceived, and you can drive innovation. Moreover, as Daniel Newman points out, social listening has become an integral part of the entire customer lifestyle.
Reaping the benefits of social listening
To reap the benefits of social listening it is essential that you use the information and intelligence gathered. Tracx offers up a great example of how social listening can guide a merchandisers’ supply chain management. Specifically, how a company can transform social media management by guiding inventory allocation and velocity.
The Aberdeen Group offers additional examples of how social listening has been and can be used: “companies can use the voice of the customer to make critical adjustments and find issues related to inventory allocation, order management, returns management, cost, overall service satisfaction and beyond.”
Tools for social listening
Brad Neathery, founder of Social Media Today, put together a great list of social listening tools that give businesses the right data they need to align their social marketing strategy with business goals. His list includes:
1. Social Mention
2. SocialRest
3. TweetReach
4. ViralHeat
5 Datasift
6 Simply Measured
7 Sysomos
8 Zoomph
The opportunities the supply chain and logistics industries can realize through social listening are great. Not participating in social listening results in missed opportunities including increased revenue.
