We hope you enjoy the February 2004 issue of Supply Chain Directions, our bi-monthly e-newsletter linking you to a short list of leading, timely and relevant white papers and articles in the areas of Supply Chain Strategy,
Transportation Planning, and
Inventory Planning.

Chainalytics Article: New Hours Of Service Impacts Extend Far Beyond Shipper’s Expectations
Chaos abounds in the transportation network. While the new rules don’t change transportation service options, they do alter the breakpoints at which one service becomes more favorable than another. And with driver shortages and high turnover rates expected, firms must act now to reduce the impact on transportation costs -- which could increase as much as 40-60%.
By Gary Girotti, Vice President, Transportation Practice, Chainalytics LLC

Finding the Right Balance
Effective supply chain strategy involves network planning to balance inventory, transportation and manufacturing costs.
By David Simchi-Levi, Edith Simchi-Levi, Chief Logistics Officer

Electrify Your Strategies for Site Location
A largely untapped source of prime distribution center site location help comes from the electric utility industry, which offers local knowledge, access to new sources of real estate and the power to close deals.
By Thomas A. Foster, Global Logistics & Supply Chain Strategies

All the right moves
How to make the best decisions when expanding your distribution network.
By Perry Trunick, Logistics Today

Less Time To Keep On Truckin'
New rules aimed at reducing truck-driver fatigue could raise costs for manufacturers.
By Traci Purdum, IndustryWeek

Better Economy, Tighter Capacity May Shift Trucking To Sellers’ Market
In recent years the trucking industry has experienced rapidly rising costs in a rapidly falling economy. Now, with business up and capacity down, the industry may find the leverage it needs to improve profitability.
By Jean V. Murphy, Global Logistics & Supply Chain Strategies

Carriers, shippers prepare for changes in hours-of-service rules
Analysts predict enormous additional costs to the U.S. economy. LTLs, meanwhile, see new business opportunities in the revised rules. Analysts predict enormous additional costs to the U.S. economy. LTLs, meanwhile, see new business opportunities in the revised rules.
By Staff, Logistics Management

The Critical Lever of Planning Policy Optimization for Maximizing Asset Productivity
With the only constant being change, change in customer requirements, shifting product portfolios, plant consolidations, and evolving production and distribution networks, ensuring high productivity of production and distribution assets is an increasing challenge. Yet maximizing return on assets is key to maximizing shareholder value.
Optiant whitepaper

The Incredible Shrinking Safety Stock
New software helps companies systematically match inventory to fluctuating customer demand.
By Merrill Douglas , Inbound Logistics

Balancing Act
The key to accurate forecasting is striking the right balance between inventory management and customer service. At a glance: This article focuses on best practices within the CPG industry, and looks at how technology can improve forecasting accuracy and streamline distribution operations.
By Roger Morton, Logistics Today