THE MAGAZINE FOR DEMAND DRIVEN LOGISTICS
July 2007 • Vol. 27 • No. 7
INPRACTICE READER PROFILE Vimal Patel: Taking an Eagle’s-Eye View When merchandise flies off the shelves at American Eagle Outfitters stores, it is up to Vimal Patel, director of material flow, to make sure the SUPPLY CHAIN TECHNOLOGY RFID: A Tale of Two Cities With RFID vendors claiming it the best of times for RFID technology, and users taking a more worst-of-times attitude, who should you believe? DC SOLUTIONS Bean There, Returned That L.L. Bean keeps its customer-service-friendly reputation intact with a new materials handling system in its reverse logistics center. LIT TOOLKIT Hassle-Free Electronic Invoicing: Now That’s Hot HVACR wholesaler Johnstone Supply heats up efficiency with a cool electronic invoicing system. INDEPTH Welcome to the 3PL Zone distribution center responds accordingly. Somewhere between demand and supply, between strategy and tactics, and between the pit of an enterprise’s fears and the summit of its visibility and knowledge lies the 3PL Zone. Enter it with us to explore
INSIGHT 10 CHECKING IN
What doesn’t kill mid-sized 3PLs makes them stronger.
18 DIALOG
Readers talk back. 22 3PL: TACTICAL RESOURCE OR STRATEGIC PARTNER? KnowledgeBase sponsored by Wheels Group. 24 CONSIGNED INVENTORY MANAGEMENT KnowledgeBase sponsored by NAL Worldwide. 26 3PL MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS KnowledgeBase sponsored by National City Corporation. 28 PAIRING EXPERTISE AND LOCATION KnowledgeBase sponsored by ATC Logistics & Electronics.
today’s 3PL market.
“Go Ahead…Pile It On!” Outsourcers today expect the world of their 3PLs, piling on requests for value-added services such as repackaging, freight bill audit/payment, and vendor management. How do 3PLs rise to the challenge?
4 Inbound Logistics • July 2007
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