For me the answer is, “None of them.”, and I look at every option to prevent workplace misery, workplace tragedy, and workplace disruption.

Dock 911

While keeping workers safe is reason enough to adopt a robust dock safety policy, it’s far from the only one. Almost any kind of accident at the loading dock is going to take a dock out of commission for some amount of time. And, as the gateway to the supply chain, an accident that takes a dock out of commission is going to be bad for business.

Whether for attention to injury, investigation, paperwork, clean up, or repair, a closed dock comes with a cost. The supply chain can’t supply without entry and exit points.

Even looking at several-year-old data, a loading dock closure has been shown to cost a company about $1700 per hour. And for serious accidents involving injury or major damage, the number can be significantly higher.

The good news is, that a comprehensive dock-safety strategy can protect your people and your business.

Safety first, but safety where?

Because forklifts and falls account for a hefty percentage of loading dock accidents, safety strategies have largely focused on inside-the-dock prevention. Even things like trailer restraints and dock levelers are protecting workers and drivers during loading and offloading inside the trailer.

However, it’s important to be aware that the area immediately outside the loading dock – the dock approach – is among the riskiest places for a worker to be. It’s not that the number of accidents is enormous, it’s that the nature of them tends to be dire.

For workers outside, truck traffic at the loading dock is life-threatening. Big rigs, trying to stay on schedule, are coming and going and reversing into tight dock positions with big blind spots. It takes only a brief lapse of attention, from either driver or pedestrian, for an accident to occur.

No Boots on the Ground^®

There are legitimate reasons for a worker to be outside the loading dock. Still, the risk is enough of a concern that more and more businesses are adopting a policy requiring all vehicular traffic to come to a full stop when a worker is on the tarmac. The consequence, of course, is adding a delay to the already stressed movement of goods.

Another approach, one that is both safe and efficient, is to adopt a No Boots on the Ground^® policy in the loading dock area. Adopting strategies to eliminate foot traffic in the area requires some planning and technology, but removing a major source of risk is worthy of the effort.

While trailer stands and supports are important safety precautions, they have typically required deployment by a worker at risk in the dock approach. New solutions like a stand/support that can be deployed by the shunt truck, or one that rises automatically into position with the push of a button, make a No Boots on Ground^® environment possible.

Safety. It’s good for business.

Safety in business is good business. Protecting your people also protects the critical movement of goods and the supply chain itself. If it’s been a minute since your last safety audit, consider the benefits of a No Boots on the Ground^® policy in your loading dock.

About the Author

Dirk Seis is the Director of Marketing at Ideal Warehouse Innovations, Inc., an IDA Member Company and manufacturer of dock safety accessories. In his 30+ years around docks, Dirk has helped customers improve the safety and efficiency of their loading docks, trained sales and installation teams across the continent, and helped develop new workplace safety solutions for the marketplace. Dirk can be reached at 905-265-4671 or dseis@idealwarehouse.com.

But we also know that a lot of that technology is built by folks who don’t necessarily understand how complex supply chain problems or logistics even work. That’s where Right Sized Inventory (RSI) steps in to save the day. 

We’ve written about RSI a little while back about how they’re serving their customers and gaining traction in the market. Now, the cat’s really out of the bag because RSI is expanding their work with big clients everywhere to solve big, complex supply chain issues beyond their core offering (inventory optimization). 

Using Software Built by Real Supply Chain Professionals For Real Supply Chain Professionals

You know we aren’t new to the supply chain technology conversation. You know what is new! Technology that’s built for our industry by the people who have poured their actual blood, sweat, and (probably) tears into the daily grind. 

Think Outside of the Subscription Box

While Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) typically presents itself in a subscription format, cmon it’s 2022 people! Let’s open our minds. The expansion of RSI’s technology and services into several challenging supply chain arenas is very exciting to us! Here are some examples of our observations of complex work supply chain professionals are reaching out to RSI for support:

• Pressure Testing a Network for “Black Swan Events” for Resiliency Analysis
• Warehouse/Distribution Center Analysis (e.g. consolidation, expansion, etc.)
• Capacity Planning

If you need help with analysis of complex supply chain problems, please contact Right Sized Inventory – they can help!

Stop The Trickle Effect of Getting Capacity Planning Wrong

In a recent conversation with Lora Cecere, she told us all about how we screwed up planning. She wasn’t wrong! However, there is a way you can stop the trickle effect that happens when you get capacity planning wrong. 

It all starts at inventory. Essentially, if you’re not getting inventory levels right you’ll never be able to get capacity planning right either. Not a single SKU is left behind during RSI’s process. Giving you total visibility, even during peak or low seasons.

Through the right technology, RSI uses artificial intelligence, machine learning and predictive analytics to make sure you get your project right every step of the way. Not to mention, with a lot fewer headaches. 

Say Goodbye to Outdated Processes

Traditional planning tools are like using Excel spreadsheets to run your supply chain. Putting it nicely, it’s a little outdated. Have you ever not trusted the results from your planning tool? You’re not alone…

So grab the hand that can help! Contact the company that big clients are using to solve even bigger supply chain problems, Right Sized Inventory.

Want to hear a bit more about RSI and strategic supply chain planning? Watch this video!

Planners often find themselves knee-deep in complex spreadsheets, spending way too much time there when they could be making better use of their day! So many small, and even medium-sized businesses, are stuck between a rock and hard place without the budget to pay for an end-to-end ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) or MRP (Material Requirements Planning) system.

Well, not anymore!

Right Sized Inventory recently launched an expansion of its services that can address this planning conundrum.

So, is anyone still managing their reorders using a spreadsheet? If so, then keep reading to find out how this new replenishment planning module can benefit you by saving you time and money.

Why We Love Right Sized Inventory’s Planning System

There are so many reasons why we love RSI in general and its services; but we’ve managed to narrow down the top three things we think you might love the most about their newest planning service:

• It’s affordable. Not every business has a seven-figure budget for expensive end-to-end ERP or MRP systems. RSIs system can help you make sound choices every day on what to order.
• It’s efficient. At any given time, you can know exactly how much to order. See ya later, spreadsheets. 
• It gives you your time back. Because you’ll no longer be stuck in a huge, complex spreadsheet for what feels like days, you’ll have a ton of time back on your hands. 

Replenishment Just Got a Whole Lot Cheaper and Faster!

At Let’s Talk Supply Chain, we’ve heard one too many times that supply chain professionals don’t have the budget for the technology that could make their lives easier. That’s where RSI comes in.

So, who out there needs help planning their daily replenishment orders?

Development of the Omnae Platform began fairly recently, in 2016, with a small team and a big vision. Harnessing over 30 years of deep industry experience, Omnae’s mission was to build a network and service that was bigger than just manufacturing; to create a technology that was both industry and country agnostic, with the goal of connecting every facet of global production.

Omnae’s founders saw the potential – and necessity – for a global supply web, and knew they had the know-how to build it. And it’s safe to say Omnae has gone from strength to strength, proving that their mission, and unique approach, is spot on.

Today I’m joined by CEO Dan Lionello to talk more about the global supply web, the need for improved transparency, resilience and communication in supply chain and how Omnae’s platform has the potential to transform supply chain for everyone.

IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:

[00.25] How and why Omnae was founded, and the variety of needs it meets.

[05.21] A closer look at what Omnae does.

“Our vision is very clear: to create trust and transparency in the global supply web.”

[08.26] How Omnae facilitates vital collaboration, as well as supplier analysis and relationship management.

[12.28] The supply web, and how Omnae’s system allows businesses to improve the resilience, efficiency and scale of their supply chains.

[15.08] An overview of supply chain resilience and how Omnae can help.

[19.34] Omnae’s unique approach to transparency in supply chain.

“We’ve created a dependency tree, a way of linking dependent orders as they go through the supply chain.”

[25.19] A recent case study of how Omnae revolutionized one company’s supply chain processes.

[28.35] Omnae’s ideal client.

“94% of global manufacturers are still using email and Excel spreadsheets as their two major technologies to run production…. I want that 94%!”

[30.47] Omnae’s typical on-boarding process.

[32.11] What the future holds for Omnae.

RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:

Head over to Omnae’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. Or, download their amazing free e-book ‘A Definitive Guide to Future Proof Supply Chains, Optimize Operations, Grow Relationships and Scale Businesses in the next normal.’

Check out our other podcasts HERE.

I hope you’re enjoying our fascinating ‘You Won’t Believe What We’ve Seen’ mini-series, in partnership with SQA services.

In last week’s episode ‘Mission Control’ (insert link), we talked to SQA founder and President Mike McKay, and industry professional and advisor to SQA Jeff Luckey, and delved into the incredible world of aircraft and aerospace.

And we have an equally amazing podcast for you today, with episode 2 ‘Saving Lives,’ as we dive into the life sciences. Mike McKay joins us once again, alongside President & CEO of Civica Rx Martin Van Trieste, one of Modern Healthcare’s ‘100 Most Influential People in Healthcare’ and the #2 leader on The Medicine Maker’s ‘Power List of Industry Influencers.’

They’re going to be exploring the dark world of counterfeit drugs and shadow factories, sharing their passions and experiences after many years at the top of their industry, and reinforcing that all-important topic of Quality. You don’t want to miss it!

IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:

[00.58] Introducing Mike McKay.
[02.18] Introducing Martin Van Trieste.
[04.28] SQA’s key partnerships in the life sciences industry, from Pfizer to Johnson and Johnson.
[05.01] Martin’s long-standing relationship with SQA, and why he came to rely on their services.

“Over 20 years, I’ve become enamored with their business model. But more importantly, I grew to respect Mike and his team so much – I trust them – and that’s something that takes a long time to build.” (MVT)

[07.15] The importance of working as an extension of a customer’s team, being flexible, efficient and meeting customized needs.
[10.21] How saving time and money through using a team of specialists like SQA, means customers are freed up to work on the important things – saving lives.
[12.02] Why working with SQA is not simple out-sourcing: it’s all about information sharing, communication, honesty and collaboration.

“It’s a very interactive process.” (MVT)

[14.27] Shadow factories, their impact on the industry, and on saving lives.
[16.52] Show factories, and Mike’s eye-opening industry experiences.

“Our auditor walked over to a drum, lifted up the top and saw the laminate still inside – no product had been made there!” (MMK)

[19.12] Supply and demand during COVID-19.
[23.15] SQA’s passion and pride to be doing their part in developing vaccines and saving lives.
[26.06] Why there are drug shortages, ‘Just in Time’ vs ‘Just in Case’ and how/why Martin’s company Civica Rx are moving towards shorter, more robust supply chains.

“Not all industries are the same: you can’t apply every solution to the same problem in a different industry.” (MVT)

[31.45] Why quality is so important, both on a business and a personal level.
[33.41] How SQA’s ‘Quality Is’ campaign helps to keep quality at the top of everybody’s agenda, both internally and with customers too.
[35.53] Why without quality, you don’t have safety – and you can’t save lives.

You can connect with Mike on LinkedIn, or head over to SQA’s website now to find out more, meet the team and discover how they could help you too.

You can also connect with Martin on LinkedIn or find out more about Civica Rx‘s pioneering work on their website.

Check out our other podcasts HERE.

I’m incredibly excited to bring you a brand new 4-part series, in partnership with SQA Services. SQA Services has over 25 years’ experience and is now widely recognized as a flexible global resource and a proven solution provider for today’s complex supply environments. I’ve gotten to know them over the past few months and their industry knowledge, passion – and amazing stories – demanded their own platform.

Inspired by their experiences and anecdotes, I’m proud to introduce the aptly named ‘You Won’t Believe What We’ve Seen’ mini-series. Over the next 4 episodes, we’ll be bringing you stories that showcase the importance of quality in supply chain and the fascinating places it’s taken SQA.

So, grab a coffee and find a quiet spot to enjoy Episode 1, ‘Mission Control.’ Featuring SQA founder and President Mike McKay, and industry professional and advisor to SQA Jeff Luckey, this episode takes us into the incredible world of aircraft and aerospace.

IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:

[01.26] Introducing Mike McKay.
[02.46] Introducing Jeff Luckey.

“I know a thing or two, because I’ve seen a thing or two!” (JL)

[04.28] SQA’s key industry partnerships, from Boeing to NASA.
[08.29] Jeff’s relationship with SQA, their introduction to Boeing and the importance of quality.

“Unless quality is actually built in at the beginning… you’re likely to have quality issues at the end of the chain.” (JL)

[12.14] The responsibility, pride and pressure that goes hand in hand with being a part of supply chain for space missions.
[15.34] The sheer scale of Aeronautic production, which really puts the importance of quality into perspective.
[18.53] How Mike’s son, who is a pilot, brings a personal angle to quality and safety.
[21.04] How getting to know customers, as well as inspiring and trusting your staff, combines to build a great team.

“I’m like the owner of a sports team: you hire your head coach and then let them go to work!” (MMK)

[23.44] Jeff’s Boeing projection figures and the future of aircraft.
[28.57] How SQA will adapt and support the automation of the future.

“The only constant is change.” (MMK)

[31.28] SQA’s ‘Quality Is’ campaign.
[35.52] Our expectation for excellence, and how that demands quality.

RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:

You can connect with Mike on LinkedIn, or head over to SQA’s website to find out more, meet the team and discover how they could help you too.

Check out our other podcasts HERE

Ram is the founder of SKUteam, a company that provides globalized supply chain with localized supervision. They help companies working in the apparel, furnishing and fashion accessories industries take control of their supply chain and cut out unnecessary middlemen.

Ram explains that when it comes to production, 70% of processes happen in a factory. But brands have no idea what happens in the factories: they can’t tell if workers are paid fair wages, if working conditions are at the right standard or whether the product is manufactured according to the specific requirements. SKUteam help brands track every section of the supply chain works by offering a whole range of services including accounting and finance, inspections, audits and inventory planning.

With trends such as globalization and events such as Covid-19, brands want to move away from China and manufacture products elsewhere – but they aren’t sure where to go next. SKUteam helps brands find the appropriate factories and sample inventory. They then manage the audits, inspections and factory management. As Ram says, the future of supply chain is about removing human involvement. With SKUteam’s product, brands can be at the forefront of their industry simply by reducing costs and sourcing effectively.

In this episode we discuss:

• [6.48] What influenced Ram to create SKUteam
• [11.51] What SKUteam does
• [17.48] How SKUteam helps customers throughout Covid
• [31.29] What their ideal client looks like
• [37.57] The future for SKUteam

Resources and links mentioned:

• SKUteam
• Promo: refer Lets talk supply chain when you reach out to SKUTEAM!! First two Purchase orders, free!

Ranna is a supply chain professional who works for Resilinc, a supply chain risk management company that offers data analytics and insights on supplier performance. With their patented technology, Resilinc can produce simulations of potential catastrophes and help customers and suppliers mitigate risk.

What is supply chain mapping? Ranna explains that supply chain mapping is about knowing who your tier 1, tier 2 and tier 3 suppliers are. Mapping is about knowing the full flow of your supply chain and therefore being able to successfully identify any points of failure. Large scale events such as Covid and have proved the importance of knowing how your entire supply chain works and being proactive rather than reactive.

Ranna has worked in supply chain for 20 years, and says the industry has come very far. Thanks to advances in technology, companies can use data to prepare and handle risk efficiently. With more natural disasters happening every year, this is more relevant than ever. She also explains that the future of supply chain will involve more transparency and an even greater ability to connect directly customers with suppliers. Ranna loves her job as supply chain manager and she highly recommends it to anyone who wants a career that involves building strategic relationships, understanding how cultures work and international travel.

In this episode we discuss:

• [0.30] Who is Resilinc?
• [2.55] What is supply chain mapping?
• [11.28] What Ranna loves about supply chain
• [16.55] How supply chain has changed in the past 20 years
• [27.14] Advice to young women interested in supply chain

Resources and links mentioned:

• Resilinc

In the manufacturing industry, resilience means one main thing: adaptability.  

But first, what’s a Supply Web?

You are familiar with Supply Chains – the linear view of the processes that contribute to the production of a commodity.  In a typical Supply Chain model manufacturers function as links in a chain through which information and goods travel in a two-way linear fashion: up and downstream. 

A Supply Web is a networked model of outsourced manufacturing management. Think of every contributor to a commodity – every material provider, component manufacturer, assembly house, 3PL, and OEM – as a node.  Each node is part of an interconnected many-to-many network that shares information, communicates, and collaborates.  In this model, information flows between and amongst every node and is distributed network-wide simultaneously.  It is similar to the connectivity model of a social network.  Each member is part of the same platform, can interact in the same ways, follows the same rules, and maintains existing connections, and discovers new ones. At scale, a Supply Web would be a digital map of all of the globe’s manufacturing resources, capabilities, and connections. 

Each company has its own Supply Web – the nodes of the global whole they interact with.  It is comparable to your own neighborhood in a vast city.  This includes every node, from raw materials all the way to logistics that touch your product before it reaches its destination. 

Resilience through adaptability

Supply Web adaptability is the capability of a company to efficiently manage and react to changes or disruptions (political changes, natural disasters, pandemics, resource shortages) without substantial negative impacts on time, cost, quality, or performance.  Potential disruptions include:

• Geopolitical, trade and tariff changes
• Natural disasters
• Human pandemics
• Resource shortages

Businesses can implement several strategies to build adaptability in their supply webs including diversification strategies and agility strategies.  

Diversification Strategies

Proactive business owners place a high value on geographic diversification of their sources. It is important to have access to sources from diverse areas of the globe to mitigate risks in the event of geopolitical and geographic emergencies or changes in supply. There are two main ways to approach geographic diversification of supply webs:

1. Redundant Multi-sourcing. Ramping and maintaining multiple sources for any given product over time, in order to decentralize production and mitigate risks. This is a high-cost and proactive approach ideal for enterprise-scale manufacturers.
2. Agile Multi-Sourcing. Having ready access to a large network of trusted sources that can respond quickly and reliably meet your expectations to ramp up production in the event of a disruption. This is a low-cost proactive approach ideal for small-to-medium OEMs. 

Agility Strategies

To create resilience through agility, a company must employ tools and procedures to quickly respond to changes, disruptions, and growth. This includes taking proactive steps to establish:

1. Scalability. Working sources that can grow with you over time from the very beginning, or have the ability to quickly and reliably find new sources as your company grows. 
2. Collaborative technology and data sharing. Proactively adopting innovative, collaborative technology will enable businesses to maintain centralized data, records, and communication when working with remote teams or ramping up multiple suppliers.
3. A culture of employee adaptability. By creating a culture of continuous improvement and learning, employees will more easily adapt to changes in operations or technology.
4. Consistent market research.  Keeping up with consumer trends, new technologies, and strategies will ensure you stay up-to-date in competitive global marketplaces. 

Finding the right mix of strategies and tools

Creating resilience and adaptability is essential to businesses survival in the manufacturing industry. Finding the right mix of strategies and tools for your company requires proactive action based on your company’s size, market and goals. As the manufacturing industry matures into a digital era, it is time to start harnessing supply as it truly is – a networked ecosystem instead of siloed chains. Innovative and adaptive tools to harness the Supply Web are emerging – will you be part of the evolution?

About the Author

Omnae is a collaborative cloud-based SCM software that manages the relationships, communications and information with all your outsourced manufacturing partners. Omnae mitigates outsourcing risks, boosts operational efficiency and builds resilience in supply chains. Omnae brings together fully integrated Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), Quality Management (QMS) and lite Product Life Cycle Management (PLM) systems in one platform. Designed from over 30 years of outsourced manufacturing experience, Omnae strives to build trust and transparency in the global supply web and enable continuous improvement in manufacturing around the world. Visit Omnae.com for more information.

Needing some inspiration? At Let’s Talk Supply Chain, we know the value of elevating the voices of the female trailblazers who are fearlessly changing the face of our industry. Every month, we feature a supply chain woman leader on our blog, sharing their stories, achievements, and advice for women coming up the ranks in supply chain. 

This month, we’re proud to feature Vidya Netrakanti in our Women in supply chain blog series. Vidya is the chief operating officer, founder, and an early investor at Optessa Inc. The software organization provides edge technologies for production planning and scheduling—delivering complete solutions for execution in manufacturing. 

Vidya has overseen Optessa’s finance, administration, and human resources since the organization’s inception. She has a master’s degree from the University of Edinburgh and a Ph.D. from the University of Poona.

1. What brought you into supply chain?

I was drawn in by the opportunity to contribute at Optessa in a long-term meaningful way—to constantly grow, adapt, and learn. I am not a sequencing or scheduling expert, I don’t work on developing Optessa’s technology.  

However, I knew the organization was facing unique operational challenges—from navigating difficulties in development to meeting organizational needs working with the business founders. 

We constantly evolve and tackle challenges in a variety of areas, and it makes the process interesting—there are always new opportunities to grow and learn. 

2. Take us through your career journey:

Optessa is very much a realization of our founder’s (my husband’s) vision of providing quality planning and scheduling solutions that meet industry needs. Srinivas (Vasu) Netrakanti shared his view of the challenge and opportunity with Optessa’s current CEO, Dr. Ashok Erramilli. Ashok, Srinivas, and I formed the company together—the journey started there. We called the company Netaps at first, then the name changed to Optessa in 2006. 

Srinivas led the company as the chief executive officer until August 2017, Ashok was the CTO, and I oversaw finance, HR, and administration. 

We built teams in Edmonton, New Jersey, and in India. We survived the deep recession of 2008, and then in 2013, Optessa was growing and thriving again.

Sadly, we lost Srinivas (Vasu) to Kidney Cancer that summer in 2017. The Optessa team and founders, Ashok and I, renewed our commitment to realizing Vasu’s vision for Optessa at that very difficult moment in time.  We reorganized ourselves to meet the new challenges and have continued forward on a path of growth

3. What challenges have you overcome and what did you learn from them?

As a founder of a small business, you are constantly balancing so many obligations—to customers, employees, investors—often on limited time and resources. I have learned you have to continually strive for excellence. At Optessa, the quality of our software solutions has empowered us to establish our brand and build resilient, lasting business relationships. 

I’ve learned to do my homework so I can advocate on Optessa’s behalf—to be professional and also, persistent. Learning how to adapt in a crisis has been a challenge I’ve faced with my team on more than one occasion. 

Small businesses sometimes feel the impact more aggressively in volatile markets and environments. I’ve learned you have to be dynamic, constantly advancing your business environment—it’s all about remaining nimble, poised, and ready to quickly respond to emerging challenges—whether the 2008 recession or the current COVID-19 healthcare pandemic.

As an organization, Optessa’s team finds the challenge of solving planning, sequencing, and scheduling issues for manufacturing intellectually invigorating. We aim to maintain a friendly, open work culture based on teamwork and mutual respect.

4. What advice do you have for other leaders and up-and-comers in supply chain?

Invest in people. Be resilient, it takes optimism and staying nimble to adapt. And, never stop your pursuit of excellence.

5. What do you want newcomers to supply chain to know?

Have confidence in your abilities, but don’t hesitate to ask for help. Know that preparation and hard work are always important—do your homework. 

Outside of the office, take care of your personal financial management. And, if you are just starting out, keep business and personal finances separate. Remember to take personal time out to pursue other passions outside of work. 

6. What has made you so successful in supply chain and life?

I am always ready for what’s next—ready to learn and adapt.

7. What is next for you?

Making sure Optessa comes out of this pandemic strong—not just surviving—thriving. 

Meet Our Sponsor

This Women in supply chain feature was made possible by our sponsor, Optessa. Optessa’s Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software creates complete, optimal, even quality solutions. Their software can model any manufacturing requirement and can be deployed quickly. Their intelligent planning and scheduling solutions are key enablers of your digitalization strategy. Optessa is proud to partner with Let’s Talk Supply Chain and sponsor the Women in supply chain blog series.

About The Author

Naomi Garnice is the Director of Marketing for MicroAge where she leads the marketing team and creative strategy. Naomi has been a content marketer for 14 years and is passionate about creating engaging content that matters. Throughout her career in marketing for technology, healthcare and supply chain organizations, Naomi has advocated to highlight female thought leaders in male-dominated industries.