Critical Issues Manufacturing/Supply Chain

By Alex Saric, smart procurement expert, Ivalua.UK businesses have never been more dependent on their suppliers to help them deliver goods and services to their customers. Be it retail, manufacturing or financial services, suppliers have a vital role to play when it comes to innovation and meeting customer expectations. However, as supply chains become increasingly global, businesses are potentially exposing themselves to more risk than ever before.

Global technology firm, Epson, has reaffirmed its commitment to decarbonisation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions) in advance of the 25th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP25) to be held in Madrid, Spain from 2 to 13 December 2019.

Set against a backdrop of unprecedented change – British small businesses are remaining stoic and are facing the next three months with renewed focus and a determination to succeed.

According to new global study, increased security and real-time business intelligence are among the major factors driving the growth of the voice-directed warehousing solutions market.

The ongoing uncertainty around Brexit is encouraging many manufacturers and retailers to consider other supplier locations in low cost, higher risk countries to avoid possible trade barriers. The latest analysis in the Global Supply Chain Risk Report, produced quarterly by Cranfield University and Dun & Bradstreet, found marked increases in Supplier Criticality (up 2%) and Global Sourcing Risk (up 4.8%) in Q3 2019.

New research from global financial technology provider FIS has found that UK consumers remain wary of anti-fraud technologies like biometrics, while at the same time are growing increasingly worried about having their personal information hacked.

Google/Looker Competition and Markets Authority enquiry: rival data CEO says Google deal `fair enough and makes perfect sense`.

The decision by the Competition and Markets Authority to consider an investigation of the acquisition of Lookers by Google, was announced yesterday.

Netwrix, a vendor of information security and governance software, has announced the release of the Netwrix IT Trends 2020 report, which identifies the top priorities for organisations in 2020 based on a global survey of 1,045 IT pros. 

Barcoding, Inc. has released initial findings from its comprehensive research project that addresses Windows Mobile going end of life in 2020. Rugged device manufacturers have selected Android as the new operating system, requiring a tailored technological shift for all enterprises leveraging Windows Mobile devices for their automated data collection processes.

A convenience trends survey commissioned by leading International branding and customer experience agency I-AM has revealed that almost three-quarters of consumers (74%) would be happy to wait longer for goods if the delivery method was more sustainable.