Convenience is fundamental to UK shoppers, reveals recent research from Oracle. The UK country results of Oracle's 2015 consumer research report Retail Without Limits – A Modern Commercial Society reveal that UK consumers are often ahead of their global counterparts in the demands they place on retailers. UK consumers are driven by technology, and more self-sufficient than the global average.
Critical Issues: Manufacturing/Supply Chain
Critical issues are thought provoking articles relating to strategy, legislation, technology, best practice and some of the most challenging business topics in the world of manufacturing and supply chain information technology. The articles in this section have been contributed by leading vendors, industry leaders, research analysts, trade associations and consultancies and cover a variety of topics relating to the manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, transportation and distribution marketplace across Europe. They look at market trends, improvements in technology and some thought provoking comment on all aspects of optimising and improving efficiencies throughout the supply chain from raw material to finished product.
Other important topics covered in this section concern Health and Safety in Logistics with articles from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).Taxation, government policy, climate change, recruitment and training schemes are all covered, as well as educational opportunities at various UK logistics educational facilities such at Cranfield University.
Retailers are not yet balancing the risks and opportunities of mobile
May 21, 2015
More retailers are enjoying the benefits of mobile commerce – but many are not yet doing enough to counteract the fraud risks that come with this opportunity, a new study suggests.
The third-annual Mobile Payments & Fraud: 2015 Report, commissioned by Kount, The Fraud Practice and CardNotPresent.com, found that the number of retailers actively supporting mobile commerce, continued to climb, with 68.7% ( compared to 63.6% last year) of all retailers now supporting mobile commerce and a further 20.5% (compared to 24.7% last year) planning to support it from this year.
Greater change in IT departments needed to support innovation, says Claranet
May 21, 2015
Independent research commissioned by Claranet reveals that IT departments today are twice as likely to focus on cost reduction and technological support of employees as they are on those things that can grow the top line.
Commercial Tablet and 2-in-1 Expansion Accelerates in Western Europe, Says IDC
May 21, 2015
According to figures published by International Data Corporation (IDC), the overall tablet market in Western Europe remained challenged in 1Q15, declining 10.5% year over year with total shipments totaling 8.5 million units. The contraction, however, was mainly the result of sluggish consumer demand as the expansion of tablets in the commercial space accelerates with volumes increasing 51.3% from the same period last year.
1 in 5 office workers worried they could lose their jobs if they make a poor decision
May 13, 2015
Epicor Software Corporation, a global business software solutions provider for manufacturing, distribution, retail and services organisations, has announced that the pressure to make blind business decisions at work is leaving many UK office workers stressed and worried that they are unable to do what is asked of them, according to new research.
The true value of digitalisation - Frost & Sullivan's GIL programme expands further
May 13, 2015
More than 90 per cent of corporate and public sector executives believe that digital technologies will disrupt their existing business model in the next 2 to 3 years.
Open Source key to customer experience in retail, claims experts
May 13, 2015
Retailers struggling to deliver outstanding customer experience should be following examples set by the NHS and major retailer Fortnum and Mason, and investing in Open Source software, claims a series of experts.
Manufacturers wasting money on inadequate IT implementations
May 07, 2015
Manufacturing businesses are wasting thousands of pounds on software implementations which do not deliver the promised benefits because they are not following best practice from the NHS and implementing Open Source.
Empowering robots via Cloud computing
May 07, 2015
Cloud robotics, which involves the integration of Cloud computing technology in robots, has been gaining prominence globally. End users have begun to recognise the benefits of this novel concept, which uses the Internet to augment a robot's capabilities, mainly by off-loading computation and providing services on demand. With this concept set to make future robots more productive and efficient, the diverse requirements of end users will be met with no compromise made to the quality of services.
Conflicts and silos are holding back the supply chain, say 68% of industry execs
May 07, 2015
More than two-thirds of supply chain and logistics heads (68%) say that tighter integration between network design, demand and supply is being hampered by disjointed tools and planning processes along with conflicting business objectives, a new poll has revealed.
Manufacturing Critical Issues
The manufacturing industry is facing a number of critical issues, including:
- Supply chain disruptions. The COVID-19 pandemic and geo-political tensions/war has caused widespread disruption to global supply chains, and this is having a significant impact on manufacturing. Manufacturers are struggling to get the raw materials and components they need to produce their products, and this is leading to shortages and delays.
- Labour shortage. The manufacturing industry is facing a labor shortage, as there are not enough skilled workers available to fill open positions. This is due to a number of factors, including the aging workforce, the decline of manufacturing in some countries, and the lack of educational opportunities in STEM fields.
- Rising costs. The cost of manufacturing is rising, due to factors such as the rising cost of raw materials, energy, and transportation. This is putting pressure on manufacturers' margins and making it difficult for them to compete.
- Technology adoption. The manufacturing industry is facing the challenge of adopting new technologies, such as automation and artificial intelligence. These technologies can help manufacturers to improve efficiency and productivity, but they can also be expensive and disruptive to implement.
- Environmental regulations. Manufacturers are facing increasing environmental regulations, which are forcing them to change their production processes. This can be costly and time-consuming, but it is essential for manufacturers to comply with these regulations in order to remain competitive.
Supply Chain Critical Issues
The global supply chain has been facing a number of critical issues in recent years, including
- Labour shortages: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to labor shortages in many industries, including manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing. This has made it difficult to find and retain workers, which has led to delays and disruptions in the supply chain.
- Equipment shortages: The global supply chain is also facing shortages of equipment, such as containers, trucks, and ships. This is due to a number of factors, including the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and increased demand for goods.
- Port congestion: Port congestion has been a major issue in recent years, as ships have been waiting for days or even weeks to unload their cargo. This is due to a number of factors, including increased demand, labor shortages, and weather events.
- Demand volatility: Demand for goods has been volatile in recent years, as consumers have shifted their spending habits due to the pandemic. This has made it difficult for businesses to forecast demand and manage their supply chains accordingly.
- Natural disasters: Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes, can also disrupt the supply chain. These events can damage infrastructure, disrupt transportation, and destroy inventory.
