The movement of goods is an important component in the supply chain, but logistics is far more so. This stage features the systems which control the flow of everything from transport to staff levels, storage to handling, deliveries, packing, picking and overall order fulfillment.

These processes are often complicated and made more so when multiple physical locations – and sometimes countries – are involved. Without these necessary evils, however, the ties between suppliers, manufacturing and customers could not be maintained.

CEVA and IBM

Supply chain management firm CEVA, responsible for movement and carriage in over 160 countries as well as storage and customers clearance at over 600 ports worldwide, needed to increase the value of its supply chain.

The company worked with IBM to create a data-driven system which would not only speed up information transfers over the global network through the cloud, but also make use of cognitive computing and analytics to delve into business-to-business transactions, storage space and delivery schedules.

CEVA adopted the IBM Watson Supply Chain Business Network and IBM Cloud solutions. The company says these have given the firm the ability to make rapid decisions based on information flows gleaned across the full supply chain – such as redirecting shipments in poor weather – as well as boost capacity in high-demand locations during the holiday season.

Since 2014, CEVA has experienced zero downtime in data flows.

Harley Davidson and UPS

Harley Davidson needed to increase the efficiency of its manufacturing and logistics processes in order to accommodate steady growth.

The motorcycle manufacturer turned to UPS’s IoT solutions in order to do so, transforming a US plant into a sensor-based facility.

Not only did 21-day production schedules plummet to only six hours, but combined with cross-docking and streamlined transport processes (made possible through the data-driven system) the company has also saved at least $200 million in operating costs.