Tag: supply chain

How EDI Helps 3PL Providers (Third-Party Logistics Companies)?

How EDI Helps 3PL Providers (Third-Party Logistics Companies)?

EDI for 3PL Providers

What is 3PL

A 3PL provider is a third-party logistics company serving as links in outsourced distribution and fulfillment stages of the supply chain. 3PL companies provide full-scale logistics services such as transportation, warehousing, customs clearance, and other logistics-related activities. Basically, 3PL helps outsource a part of or a full logistics operation to a logistics service provider.

A recent New York Times article shared some insights on how the pandemic is forcing consumers to shop online during black Friday deals and US consumers have spent a whopping $9 billion on black Friday shopping, a 21% increase from 2019 and according to a 3PL central logistics provider, they saw an order volume increase by 42% year over year for holidays, which magnifies the impact increased volumes had on 3PL service providers.

Why EDI is important for 3PL Companies?

3PL companies exchange thousands of documents every day and this number can be significantly higher during the holiday season. It’s impossible to handle this level of document processing using manual paper-based processing or relying on faxes, mailing, or emails can cause significant delays in order processing and affect the entire supply chain operations.

EDI helps 3PL providers to send and receive high volumes of data in a standardized EDI document and helps share information fast and securely. EDI helps 3PL companies to automate order processing and warehouse inventory management. Improves trading partner relationships and enhances supply chain predictability.

EDI provides 3PL companies with valuable information about the date of shipments, the number of goods, where they should be delivered, information on packaging, their sizes, and more. This information ensures that there are minimal/no delays in processing the package/order.

To automate this entire process of data exchange, 3PL providers and product suppliers integrate EDI solutions into the existing internal business systems and this eliminates the manual data entry into ERP or accounting, or other business systems.

How 3PL service provider helps retailers and brand manufacturers in the order fulfillment process

Let’s take an example of a real-time scenario,

Say you are the brand manufacturer and taking orders from retailers. Here are the steps that take place during the order fulfillment,

EDI 850 - Purchase Order

Step 1 – The transaction begins when a retailer sends you a purchase order (EDI 850)

EDI 940 - Warehouse Shipping Order

Step 2 – You now need to fulfill this order from your warehouse or from a 3PL. If you are using 3PL, you will send EDI 940 (warehouse shipping order) to your 3PL asking for the order to be fulfilled.

EDI 856 - Ship Notice Manifest

Step 3 – Once 3PL fulfills the order, they send EDI 856 (ship notice manifest) on your behalf to the retailer indicating that the shipment has left the warehouse

EDI 945 - Warehouse Shipping Advice

Step 4 – Then 3PL providers will inform you (brand manufacturer) that the shipment has left the warehouse by sending you EDI 945 (warehouse shipping advice)

EDI 810 - Invoice

Step 5 – Once you receive the EDI 945 from the 3PL provider, you can invoice the retailer with EDI 810 because now you have confirmation that the product has been shipped

 

EDI also helps brand manufacturers and 3PL providers with stock transfer transactions

 

It’s important that the 3PL provider is stocked with products to meet the customer demands

EDI 943 - warehouse stock transfer inventory advice

Step 1 – Brand manufacturers can send EDI 943 (warehouse stock transfer inventory advice) to their 3PL provider informing them about the upcoming inventory and when it will be delivered

EDI 944 warehouse stock transfer receipt advice

Step 2 – Then similarly 3PL provider can send EDI 944 (warehouse stock transfer receipt advice) to notify the brand manufacturers that the inventory has been received and can include any adjustments to the original EDI 943 due to potential damaged or missing products.

benefits of edi - commport

Benefits of using EDI for 3PL companies

EDI helps scale your 3PL business

Adding new brand manufacturers is easy and can help build strong business relationships.

Saves Time

Using EDI your document processing time is faster and now you can exchange data in minutes and thus saving you lots of time

Improve cash flow

EDI eliminates manual processing and automates your entire order and invoice processing thus reducing invoice delays and improving your overall cash flow

Automation

EDI automates your data processing and can directly transfer and convert data into various formats/standards directly to and from your internal business systems and eliminating the manual work

Smart Inventory Management

Manage inventory and margins more effectively

Shipment notices are on time and accurate, reducing chargebacks

Most chargebacks are due to late or incorrect advance ship notices (ASNs) using 3PL suppliers can ship inventory faster and ensure accuracy and thus avoid chargebacks.

How Commport EDI solutions can help your 3PL business

 

Trust our Commport experts for your EDI needs,

Nestled within the niche EDI industry, Commport Communications has provided valuable and exceptional service to its customers for over three decades. We operate not only as an EDI Translation company but also as a VAN (Value Added Network). Using specialized translation software, Commport can translate any file type to EDI X12 standard, as well as EDIFACT, and due to our global reach, Commport has interconnected with VANs worldwide.

With a 99.99% uptime and full redundancy, Commport’s network infrastructure makes it one of the most reliable EDI companies in the industry. Our commitment to network security and stability has led to major investments in security enhancements to ensure the privacy of our customers’ data. Unlike many of the big-box EDI providers, we at Commport are proud to remain family owned and continue to own and operate our data center in-house.

With our fast and seamless onboarding process, you can rest assured that we will schedule the required trading relationships, with the mandatory EDI transactions, in a short period of time. Our comprehensive EDI solution is also capable of generating UCC-128/MH10 labels, as well as reports such as packing slips and pick lists. Our focus is to deliver the data you require to move your goods in a quick and efficient way.

For over thirty years, Commport’s philosophy has been centered around making our customer’s business more efficient through the products, services, and support. Commport continues to scale the peaks of the EDI industry in terms of Customer Service, offering dedicated 24/7 service in multiple languages. And as a bonus, we offer some of the most competitive rates in the industry.

Let Commport take your business to the next level because making your business more efficient is our business.

See how Commport for 3Pls can transform your business operations

Drop us a line today for a free quote!

Commport EDI Solutions

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Implement, Measure and Improve Efficiency of Your Business Supply Chain?

How to Implement, Measure and Improve Efficiency of Your Business Supply Chain?

Supply chain analytics is an important part of any business strategy. It helps companies understand where their products come from, how much inventory they have on hand, and how quickly they're selling out. It also helps businesses identify potential problems in the supply chain before they become major issues.

How to Implement, Measure and Improve Efficiency of Your Business Supply Chain

Implementation: 4 Steps to Successful Supply Chain Analytics Implementation

Step1: Understand the Business Case

Before implementing new technology, it's essential to understand why you need one. To do so, you'll need to answer two questions: What problem does the technology solve? And what will it cost to implement?

Step 2: Build an Effective Dashboard

A dashboard is a visual display of data that helps you make decisions quickly. It's also a good place to keep track of trends and patterns. To build an effective dashboard, you need to identify what data you'll need to collect and how often you'll need to update it.

Step 3: Develop a Strategy

Once you've identified the data you'll need to monitor, develop a strategy for collecting it. You should consider the following questions when developing your strategy: What will you use the data for? How frequently will you need to access it? Who will be responsible for maintaining it?

Step 4: Execute the Plan

After you've developed your plan, execute it. This means making sure you're able to collect the data you need, as well as ensuring that you have the right tools to analyze it.

measure

Measure Performance: How to Measure the Performance of Your Supply Chain

Understand the Importance of Data Quality

One of the biggest challenges facing organizations today is data quality. It’s not just a problem with big data; even small amounts of bad data can cause significant issues. To avoid these problems, organizations need to ensure that their data is accurate, complete, timely, and relevant.

Determine Which Metrics Matter Most

There are three main metrics that matter when measuring the performance of a supply chain: cost, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Cost refers to the total price paid by an organization for goods and services. Efficiency refers to the ability of an organization to produce products at the lowest possible cost per unit. Customer satisfaction refers to whether customers are satisfied with the service provided by an organization.

Identify Key Drivers of Performance

To measure the performance of a supply network, organizations need to identify key drivers of performance. These drivers can vary based on the type of business being measured. For example, in manufacturing, the key driver might be the number of units produced per hour; in retail, the key driver might instead be the average order value per transaction. Once these drivers are identified, organizations should then determine what data will help them measure each one.

Improve Efficiency: 4 Steps to Improve the Efficiency of Your Supply Chain

How to Implement, Measure and Improve Efficiency of Your Business Supply Chain
#1 How to Implement, Measure and Improve Efficiency of Your Business Supply Chain

Understand Your Costs

To make informed decisions about improving your supply chain, you need to understand what each component costs. This includes everything from the price of raw materials to the cost of shipping. You also need to consider the impact of changes to these variables on your bottom line.

#2 How to Implement, Measure and Improve Efficiency of Your Business Supply Chain

Identify Potential Problems

One of the first steps towards improving efficiency is identifying potential problems. If you notice that one part of your supply chain is taking longer than expected, then you should investigate why. Is there something wrong with the process? Are there any bottlenecks? Do you need to add additional capacity?

#3 How to Implement, Measure and Improve Efficiency of Your Business Supply Chain

Create A Plan for Improvement

Once you identify the problem, you can develop a plan to fix it. You might decide to hire an outside consultant to help you analyze the situation and make recommendations. Or you might decide to implement some changes yourself. Either way, you will need to gather data and assess the impact of each option before making a final decision.

#4 How to Implement, Measure and Improve Efficiency of Your Business Supply Chain

Implement Changes.

There are several ways to improve the efficiency of your supply chain. One of the easiest ways is to reduce costs by using less expensive materials. Another way is to use automation to speed up processes. And finally, you can try to find new suppliers who offer better prices.

Ready to find out more Commport Supply Chain Analytics Solution?

Drop us a line today for a free quote!

Commport Supply Chain Analytics

21 Reasons Why Businesses Must Invest in Supply Chain Analytics

21 Reasons Why Businesses Must Invest in Supply Chain Analytics

The goal of supply chain analytics is to improve the efficiency of the entire supply chain by optimizing the flow of goods through the system. This includes everything from inventory management to transportation planning.

21 Reasons Why Businesses Must Invest in Supply Chain Analytics
Importance of Supply Chain Analytics

The Importance of Supply Chain Analytics

There are two main reasons why businesses should invest in supply chain analytics. First, supply chain analytics helps companies make better decisions regarding where to source products and how much to order. Second, supply chain analytics provides visibility into the operations of the company itself. By understanding what goes wrong with the supply chain, companies can take steps to prevent future issues.

The Benefits of Supply Chain Analytics

Companies that use supply chain analytics benefit by being able to make more informed business decisions. They also gain insight into the operations of their own company. This allows them to identify areas where improvements can be made. Finally, supply chain analytics gives companies an opportunity to improve customer service. If a company knows exactly where its products come from, then it can provide customers with more accurate information about the product.

Gain competitive advantage

Companies that use their data to gain insights using supply chain analytics gain competitive advantage by accurately forecasting demand according to rapidly changing market demands. The four primary methods of gaining a competitive advantage are cost leadership, differentiation, defensive strategies and strategic alliances .

Drive overall business growth and profitability

By optimizing supply chain operations, improving customer service, reducing costs, and making informed decisions based on data-driven insights using supply chain analytics can help businesses achieve growth and profitability.

Improve supply chain visibility

Supply chain visibility can provide real-time tracking and visibility of shipments, enabling companies to quickly identify and resolve any issues that may arise. This can be achieved by Implementing real-time tracking and monitoring systems, Collaborating with partners and standardizing the communications.

Enhance supply chain efficiency

In simple terms supply chain efficiency means maximizing your supply chain output by reducing costs. It is the way in which the resources are optimized to deliver goods and services to customers faster and on time with minimal cost. Supply chain analytics can play a significant role in improving overall supply chain efficiency

Optimize inventory management

Automated inventory management help track and manage inventory in real time, ensuring that they have the right products in stock at the right time. It can also help businesses to reduce waste and improve efficiency by ensuring that inventory is used efficiently and effectively.

Reduce supply chain costs

Supply chain analytics can help businesses identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks in their supply chain operations, enabling them to reduce costs and improve profitability.

Increase supply chain resilience

Supply chain analytics can help businesses increase their supply chain resilience. Identifying and managing risks, Enhancing supply chain visibility, Improving supplier collaboration, Developing contingency plans and Increasing supply chain flexibility.

Better understand customer demand

Accurate demand forecasting is critical for businesses, as it can help to ensure that they have the right products and resources in place to meet customer demand and maximize profits. Businesses may need to use a supply chain analytics solution to accurately map demand forecasting.

Improve supplier performance

With supply chain analytics, businesses can benchmark supplier performance against industry standards or best practices. This can help them identify areas where their suppliers are under performing and take steps to improve their performance.

Enhance transportation management

Supply chain analytics can enhance transportation management, help optimize their shipping routes and reduce costs by finding the most efficient and cost-effective carriers.

Improve order fulfillment

Supply chain analytics can help businesses identify patterns of errors in order processing and fulfillment by forecasting demand, optimizing inventory levels, reducing lead times, tracking order status, and improving order accuracy.

Identify and mitigate supply chain risks

Supply chain analytics can help businesses identify and mitigate supply chain risks by analyzing supplier performance, assessing supplier financial stability, monitoring geopolitical risks, analyzing customer demand, and developing contingency plans.

Improve forecasting accuracy

Supply chain analytics can help businesses improve forecasting accuracy by analyzing historical data, incorporating external data, using predictive analytics, collaborating with partners, and continuously improving their forecasting processes. This can help businesses reduce inventory costs, improve customer satisfaction, and increase revenue.

Streamline production planning

Streamline production planning by optimizing production schedules, identifying production bottlenecks, improving inventory management, reducing lead times, and improving quality control. This can help businesses increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction

Optimize warehouse operations

Supply chain analytics can help businesses identify areas where automation can improve warehouse operations. By automating processes such as order picking and inventory management, businesses can increase efficiency and reduce costs associated with manual labor.

Increase supply chain flexibility

Businesses increase supply chain flexibility by providing real-time visibility, using predictive analytics, collaborating with partners, scenario planning, and increasing agility and responsiveness. This can help businesses improve customer satisfaction, reduce costs, and increase competitiveness.

Improve product quality control

Supply chain analytics can help businesses improve product quality control by enabling real-time monitoring, optimizing processes, tracking supplier performance, performing root cause analysis, and automating quality control processes. This can help businesses reduce costs associated with rework and scrap, improve customer satisfaction, and increase competitiveness.

Better manage supply chain disruptions

Supply chain analytics can help businesses better manage supply chain disruptions by identifying and monitoring risks, scenario planning, providing real-time visibility, collaboration, and using predictive analytics. This can help businesses reduce the impact of disruptions, increase supply chain resilience, and maintain customer satisfaction

Enhance collaboration with suppliers and partners

Supply chain analytics can help businesses enhance collaboration with suppliers and partners by sharing data, tracking performance, optimizing processes, collaborative planning, and risk management. This can help businesses improve supply chain efficiency, reduce costs, increase customer satisfaction, and maintain a competitive advantage.

Increase customer satisfaction

Supply chain analytics can help businesses increase customer satisfaction by improving order fulfillment, providing real-time visibility, improving product quality, faster problem resolution, and personalization. By improving customer satisfaction, businesses can increase customer loyalty, reduce churn, and grow their business

Improve sustainability and environmental impact

Supply chain analytics can help businesses improve sustainability and reduce their environmental impact by tracking their carbon footprint, sourcing sustainable materials, reducing waste, optimizing energy usage, and monitoring compliance. By improving sustainability, businesses can demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility and differentiate themselves in the marketplace.

Ready to find out more about Commport Supply Chain Analytics Solution?

Drop us a line today for a free quote!

Commport Supply Chain Analytics

Frequently Asked Questions

Top 15 Supply Chain Terminologies

Top 15 Supply Chain Terminologies

First lets start off with What does Supply Chain Mean? To put it simply, a supply chain is a system that allows a manufactured product to reach a consumer in one or many steps. The 5 components of a supply chain:

  • Planning 
  • Manufacturing 
  • Assembling 
  • Packaging 
  • Transporting 
  • Delivery & Return 
Top 20 Supply Chain Terms
#1
#2

Ecommerce: Is an industry where the buying and selling of products or services is conducted via electronic systems such as the Internet and other computer networks. Electronic commerce draws on technologies such as mobile commerce, electronic funds transfer, supply chain management, Internet marketing, online transaction processing, electronic data interchange (EDI), inventory management systems, and automated data collection systems.

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI): Electronic Data Interface is the exchange of large amounts of information computer-to-computer in a specified format between business partners.

#3

Blanket Order: A method in which the buyer agrees to buy a certain quantity with its supplier to allow multiple delivery dates over a period of time, often negotiated to take advantage of predetermined pricing. It is normally used when there is a recurring need for expendable goods.

#4

Distribution Center (DC): Is a warehouse or other specialized building, often with refrigeration or air conditioning, which is stocked with goods to be redistributed to retailers, to wholesalers, or directly to consumers. A distribution center is a central part of the order fulfillment process.

#5

Bonded Warehouse: A location managed by the customs office or a government body, where businesses may store taxable goods and imports subject to duties for business purposes. The business will only need to pay taxes at the time of removing the goods from the warehouse. This is particularly useful for retailers who import a lot of goods into the country, since it allows them to spread out their tax burden by deferring some tax payments to a later time.

#6

Cross docking: A distribution system in which merchandise received at the warehouse or distribution center is not put away, but instead is readied for shipment to retail stores. Cross docking requires close synchronization of all inbound and outbound shipment movements. By eliminating the multiple steps (put-away, storage, etc.), it can significantly reduce costs. This method is typically used for perishable goods with a short shelf life and goods that are affected by temperature.

#7

Drop shipment: Where one of a buyers vendors takes the title of the products but does not actually handle, stock, or deliver it, e.g., to have one supplier ship directly to another or to have a supplier ship directly to the buyer's customer.  This is useful for selling slow-moving items with a long product life, without bearing the burden of storage and maintenance.

#8

Waybill: A document prepared by the seller, on behalf of the carrier, that specifies the shipment’s point of origin, the details of the transacting parties (the buyer and seller), the route, and the destination address.

#9

Hitchment: The process of combing two or more portions of one shipment that originate at different locations, moving under one bill of lading, from one shipper to one consignee. This process can be done only if the shipments have the same sender and receiver and It’s approved by shipping tariff authorities.

#10

Harmonized System (HS) Codes: The Harmonized System Codes is commonly used throughout the export process for goods. The Harmonized System is a standardized numerical method of classifying traded products. It is used by customs authorities around the world to identify products when assessing duties and taxes and for gathering statistics. These codes normally range from 4 to 10 digits, depending on where they are used.

#11

Landed Cost: Landed cost is the total amount of money it costs a vendor to create a product then transport it, and have the customer receive it. This not only includes shipping and raw materials, but any additional fees such as import duties, shipping insurance, and other related costs.

#12

Back Ordering: Backordering is the process of allowing customers to place orders even if there isn't sufficient stock on hand. It is usually done during times of high demand and/or for slow-moving products that suddenly see a spike in demand.

#13

ASN (Advanced Shipping Notification): Information sent from the shipper via Electronic Data Interchange to the customer that communicates the contents of the shipment, shipping time, estimated arrival time etc.

#14

Groupage: Refers to the process where multiple shipments are combined in order to streamline transportation. More than one order with individual Bills of Landing will exist in one shipment or container.

#15

FIFO & LIFO: Stands for “First In, First Out” Means that the first shipment received is the first to be sent out. The opposite is LIFO which stands for "Last In, First Out".

Get Started With EDI & EDI Integration to Manage Your Supply Chain

What Do You Need to Get Started With EDI?

First of all, determine the volume of paper transactions your company processes—this will help you determine how you will benefit from implementing an EDI solution..

Getting Started With EDI - 5 Step Process

An action plan for vendors. Identify Internal Champions. Identify business processes to be moved to EDI. Select an EDI Solution. Select an EDI Solution Provider and Implement.

Getting Started With Integrated EDI

Commport's Integrated EDI software as a service solution is a proven and cost-effective platform without the initial outlay associated with traditional EDI Software..

Ready to find out more?

Drop us a email today at sales@commport.com for a free quote! You can also call us at  905-727-6782

Get a Free Quote Today

Retail Council of Canada – Leaders in Retail Breakfast Series Event

RCC - Retail Council of Canada

Retail Council of Canada

Leaders in Retail Breakfast Series Event

Retail Council of Canada 2019

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Speaker: Alan MacDonald, Executive Vice-President, Retail, Canadian Tire Corporation

I attended another Retail Council of Canada event this morning to hear the Canadian Tire success story from Allan MacDonald, who runs the retail businesses.  It was another very candid and informative session. Diane Brisebois, the CEO of RCC, was on the stage with Allan, and she was asking pertinent and sometimes hardball questions to Allan. Allan did not disappoint and responded with thorough, candid, insightful answers.

CTC is not only doing well, they are making very smart strategic decisions that are helping them grow their business, increase loyalty, protect market share and increase ROI. My biggest takeaway, which Allan mentioned many times, is they make all their business decisions using, in his words, “Data and Analytics”. For over three years this has been their methodology. Allan indicated that their top 200 executives have all talked a one week course on data and analytic decision making skills. He gave a timely example of how data and analytics works. In Nova Scotia they sell 75% left-hand shot hockey sticks and in BC they sell 75% right–hand shot hockey sticks. This is the type of data they have right down to the store level. And, due their loyalty programs and 10 million people who carry a CTC MasterCard, they have it at the customer level.

Commport exchanges EDI procurement data with CTC pretty much every day and being a data company ourselves, we are continuing to promote our Global Data Synchronization Network GDSN services.

Home Hardware Changes – Article by Hardlines.ca

home hardware news

Providing EDI services to Home Hardware and their supplier community for the past 14 years, Commport has come to see just how in touch Home Hardware changes is with their community-focused, members-first attitude.

Over the last number of months, we have been working with Home Hardware to onboard many suppliers to become EDI compliant. Their goal is to “tighten and strengthen the relationship between Home Hardware and their vendor base".

Published by Hardlines (www.hardlines.ca), titled “Home Hardware CEO seeks change while preserving a distinct culture”,  highlights changes that are being made by the new Home Hardware CEO, Kevin Macnab.

New rules are being put in place to tighten and strengthen, the relationship between Home Hardware and its vendor base. Much of this new reality was laid out during the company’s latest dealer market, held last month. Under President and CEO Kevin Macnab, the changes planned for the company aren’t restricted to vendors. Home Hardware is also looking to strengthen its connection with its dealers, ensuring they all conform to the metrics that define the Home Hardware brand. But change will have to stay true to the strong corporate culture of the 55-year-old company.

It's been a pleasure working closely with Home Hardware and their supplier community making their business processes more efficient. We welcome the opportunity to continue to work with Home Hardware in the future to reach its goals.

To read a preview of the article visit this page:

httpss://hardlines.ca/gp_dailynews/home-hardware-ceo-seeks-change-while-preserving-a-distinct-culture/.

Retail Council of Canada Annual STORE Conference

Retail Council of Canada Logo

Retail Council of Canada: Commport’s Brian Miles attended the RCC STORE event May 28 -29 at the Toronto Congress Centre. Retail Council of Canada has done a great job of growing its membership, expanding the STORE Conference, and attracting both sought-after speakers and over 2,000 attendees to the STORE event.

This two-day event had a number of noteworthy speakers. Diane Brisebois, the RCC President, and CEO opened the conference telling the story of the RCC success over the past few years. Kevin Graff, President of Graff Retail TV was the MC for the 2-day event and kept everyone on schedule, and showed a lot of enthusiasm and knowledge in introducing each new speaker.

Day 1 had one of Canada’s leading retail gurus, Tony Chapman, presenting and then interviewing other quests.

Day 2 was highlighted by a presentation from Walter ROBB, CEO of Whole Foods, and then Michael LeBlanc coming on stage to interview Walter.

The overriding theme of the STORE Conference was changed in the retail sector. In the news, it talks about the demise of retail but in fact, in a lot of areas, retail sales are growing. The integration of retail with eComm and all facets of a business “omnichannel” is now getting more sophisticated by leveraging big data, AI, and most of all, experimenting with new and different ways to attract, retain, and excite customers. It is the growth of omnichannel that is bringing customers back to stores.

Everyone keeps hearing about the amazing success of Amazon and other eComm sites, and they are growing quickly, but the most “shocking” news we heard is that online sales only represent 8% of the total Canadian government retails sales number; it is 10% in the US. The major reason for these low numbers is that retail spending also includes cars, gas, all food bought in-store or restaurants, and other categories.

My compliments to Diane and the Retail Council of Canada staff as I learned a lot, met some new contacts, and was inspired to make a few changes in what I do... Great Event.  – Brian Miles

 

Commport Attends MEDEC MedTech Conference

Commport attended MEDEC MEDTech 2019 Conference on April 3rd. Although not as well attended as some have been in the past, the topics and presentations were well done and extremely relevant.  Many of the presentations were formatted using highly interactive panelists in a relaxed atmosphere.  The focus for the most part was on Innovation in Healthcare and involved Patient Outcomes as part of the discussion.  In a few panel discussions, actual patients were on stage and involved.

The highlight of Day One of the Conference was the final speaker of the day, Mr. Stan Cho, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board of Ontario.  Mr. Cho spoke about the “New Entity” plans for Healthcare and what exactly that means.  He made clear reference to the Export Panel Report and how that report illustrates that savings of $500 million can be achieved with very little turmoil in the market.  The New Entity plans, as he presented, are to follow the recommendations of that report. 

Mr. Cho presented a cost-saving example using rubber gloves.  Rubber gloves are an item procured by the healthcare market in large numbers, but at varying prices depending on the hospital’s contract with the supplier.  By having a single entity procure rubber gloves for all hospitals, there would be a single contract price for those gloves, with potential cost savings of an additional $500 million with minimal effort.

Commport, of course, supports this undertaking and is highly supportive of the single entity concept after seeing how well our project in British Columbia is going.

MEDEC is the national association representing the medical technology industry in Canada. Our members are committed to providing safe and innovative medical technologies that enhance the quality of patient care, improve patient access to health care, and help enable the sustainability of our publicly-funded health care system. We are committed to supporting the growth of a strong and vibrant medical technology industry that contributes to Canada’s innovation economy. www.medec.org 

Ready to find out more about Commport Supply Chain Solutions?

Drop us a line today for a free quote!

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RCC’s Leaders in Retail Breakfast Series – October 17

RCC's Leaders Retail Breakfast Series October 17, 2018: Commport was excited to attend the RCC's Leaders Retail Breakfast Series* featuring Sarah Davis, CEO of Loblaws. RCC’s CEO, Diane Brisebois interviewed Sarah on stage in front of over 400 people and asked a number of pertinent questions related to Loblaw and the Canadian retail industry.

Sarah is a gifted communicator and answered all the questions with a lot of clarity, depth, and honesty in telling the Loblaw story and handling hot topics such as online competition and how the largest Canadian retailer manages its various loyalty and credit cards. The Loblaw story is a great Canadian success story and with Sarah at the helm it appears to be in very solid hands.

Loblaws Inc. is a Canadian supermarket chain with stores located in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan. Headquartered in Brampton, Ontario, Loblaws is a subsidiary of Loblaw Companies Limited, Canada's largest food distributor.

Loblaw Groceritas was founded by Theodore Loblaw and John Milton Cork in 1919. Loblaw opened the first Canadian self-service grocery store in Toronto in June 1919. During the 1920s the company grew throughout Ontario. By the 1930s it had 107 stores in Ontario and 50 in New York state.

The company initiated a broad marketing strategy that saw a prototype store renovated and remodeled in new colors and a new Loblaws logo. In the mid-1970s stores in the United States were sold to Bells Markets; however, some Loblaws stores in northwestern Pennsylvania continued operation into the early 1990s.

In 1996, in addition to revitalizing the look of its stores, Loblaw management earmarked $40 million for the development of its in-house, private label program

Retail Council of Canada’s Leaders in Retail Breakfast Series

*The Leaders in Retail Breakfast Series provides an exclusive and unique opportunity for vendors and suppliers of goods and services to hear directly from senior leaders of Canada’s biggest retail brands. with none of their fellow retailer competitors or media in the room.

httpss://www.retailcouncil.org/ 

Commport Exhibits at GS1 Connect 2018

GS1 Connect 2018 Event

From June 4th-7th 2018 Commport attended and exhibited at GS1 Connect 2018 held at the beautiful JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona.

GS1 Connect is the flag ship conference and trade show held each year by GS1 US. GS1 Connect brings thought leaders together each year for a jam packed agenda focusing on the use of industry standards to improve and “Accelerate” business processes and trading partner relationships.

To that end, some of the unique opportunities that are presented to attendees at GS1 Connect are sessions known as “How to do business with…” and “Trading Partner Roundtables”. These sessions are designed to enable major retailers such as Walmart, Office Depot, Wegman’s, Target and many more to be able to directly communicate with their vendor partners regarding upcoming business process requirements and initiatives which are important to the trading relationship.

The sessions at GS1 Connect are broken into different industry vertical tracks; Grocery, Foodservice, Retail and Healthcare. Each track provides vertical specific learning opportunities about the latest trends and initiatives to businesses operating in each space.  This year’s big cross industry topic was Blockchain and the transformational prospect that blockchain technology is bringing to the business landscape.

As a global network services provider Commport is a big proponent of industry standards to streamline business operations and improve trading partner collaboration through effective communication. Our participation at GS1 Connect is definitely a highlight of the year.

Come visit us at GS1 Connect 2019 in Denver, Colorado June 19-21st 2019!