QAD Precision News Round-Up for 19 July 2019

In the QAD Precision News Round-Up: 19 July 2019, UPS expands in Russia; Royal Mail adds automated sorting in Bristol; DHL and Tetra Pak’s new smart warehouse; Iran makes inspection offer; Zalando trials same-evening delivery; plus global trade management for retailers and more. 

Carriers

UPS ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF SERVICES IN RUSSIA. 

This week, UPS announced plans to expand UPS Worldwide Express Freight and UPS Worldwide Express Freight Midday in Russia. This expansion will provide approximately 2,300 postcodes in Moscow, St Petersburg, and Nizhny Novgorod metropolitan areas with enhanced access to UPS’s global logistics network for urgent heavy shipments. The recent improvements to UPS’s service are part of the company’s $2 billion investment in its European network and infrastructure, which includes three super hubs in London, Paris, and Eindhoven. For more details, please see Transport Intelligence. 

ROYAL MAIL INSTALLS TECHNOLOGY TO SPEED UP PARCEL PROCESSING

To speed up parcel processing, Royal Mail has introduced automated parcel sortation machinery in its Bristol Mail Centre. The Parcel Sorting Machine (PSM) is an intelligent system that automatically sorts parcels using conveyor belts and scanning technology to increase parcel processing capacity. At present, approximately 12 percent of parcels are machine sorted. Royal Mail plans to increase this to over 80 percent within 5 years. Simon Baker National Operations Director of Royal Mail stated that “The technology will help us to speed up the passage of parcels to local mail centers.” For more information, please see Post & Parcel. 

Supply Chain

DHL IMPLEMENTS SMART WAREHOUSE WITH TETRA PAK IN SINGAPORE 

DHL Supply Chain has implemented an integrated supply chain solution for Tetra Pak’s warehouse in Singapore. The smart warehouse deploys digital twin technology and uses digital models to better understand and manage physical assets. Jerome Gillet CEO of DHL Supply Chain Singapore, Malaysia stated that “By jointly implementing a digital solution to support Tetra Pak’s warehousing and transport operations, this collaboration is a great example for smart warehouses of the future to deliver agile, cost effective and scalable supply chain operations”. This digital twin solution enables Tetra Pak to maintain constant coordination of its operations which includes resolving issues that may occur and, in particular, issues relating to safety and productivity. For more information, please see Post and Parcel. 

E-Commerce

ZALANDO TO TRIAL SAME-EVENING DELIVERY

This week, online retailer Zalando announced a partnership with Swiss Post and logistics provider notime to offer same-evening delivery to selected customers in the Zurich area. Bicycles and electric vehicles optimized for urban logistics will make the deliveries. Lisa Miczaik vice president central Europe and responsible for Zalando’s Swiss business stated that “The higher level of satisfaction and loyalty due to fast evening delivery is reflected in our customers’ purchasing behavior: satisfied customers order more, and more frequently,” Miczaik also added that the company believes that  same-evening or next-day delivery will become standard in metropolitan areas. . For more information, please see click here.

ECOMMERCE SALES TO REACH €3.8 BILLION IN IRELAND BY 2024

Ecommerce sales in the Republic of Ireland are forecasted to increase by 12.9 percent this year to €2.2 billion and expected to rise to €3.8 billion by 2024. These findings are from a recent report by market research company IBISWorld. The report authors stated that, “Growth in the mobile market and product differentiation are expected to support growth over much of the period. The increasing adoption of online shopping into consumers’ habits will further aid the industry.” Clothing and footwear should account for approximately 39 percent of ecommerce revenue this year. For more details, please see Irish Times. 

Sanctions

IRAN OFFERS ENHANCED INSPECTIONS FOR SANCTIONS RELIEF

This week, Iran’s foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, suggested that Tehran would accept enhanced inspections of its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of US sanctions. However, the US government wants significant concessions from Iran, including desisting uranium enrichment and withdrawing support for allies in the region. In addition, Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, has rejected the idea of direct talks with US President Donald Trump, claiming US bad faith over the 2015 Iran nuclear deal — the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Zarif indicated that Iran was willing to do a deal even if the US does not return to the JCPOA and claimed that his offer was “a substantial move” by Iran. For more details, please see The Guardian.

QAD Precision News

HOW GLOBAL TRADE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE HELPS OPTIMIZE RETAIL SUPPLY CHAINS

The internet has turned the world into a global marketplace of 24/7 shopping — from anywhere to anywhere. The unstoppable rise of online shopping has allowed small digital retailers to become global giants. In addition, bricks-and-mortar retailers are now able to sell to customers far beyond their geographic area. Managed correctly, the growth of cross-border online shopping can bring great rewards. However, there are significant complexities too. And where there is complexity, there is also risk. Nowhere is this more true than when managing global trade. In this QAD Precision Report we look at the benefits of global trade management software for retailers. To read the report, please click here.

QAD PRECISION RELEASES GLOBAL TRADE AND TRANSPORTATION BENCHMARKING TOOL 

QAD Precision, a division of QAD Inc., has announced the release of  a benchmarking tool which enables companies to compare their global trade and transportation operations against best-in-class processes. QAD Precision President Steve Gardner stated that “The QAD Precision benchmarking tool gives companies insight into areas where operations can be improved to mitigate risk, control costs and increase ROI.” To benchmark their processes, companies answer a number of questions. Once successfully completed, the participants receive an email with their overall score in comparison to best-in-class companies. QAD Precision also sends participants a personalized report with insight into their operations. For more details, please see Business Wire.

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