If you’re thinking about what comes next, and want something steady, practical, and in demand, logistics training in Brampton might be the right fit for you. More and more, companies around Brampton need people who know how to keep products moving from point A to point B. Whether it’s trucks, warehouses, or order tracking, logistics is what keeps everything running.

This time of year, as we head into winter, many companies start ramping up for bigger shipping needs. That makes it a smart season to start building the skills employers look for. You don’t need decades of experience to get started, just the right training that helps you feel confident with real tasks in this field. That’s where programs like the Supply Chain and Logistics program at North American Trade Schools come in. They are built to teach what companies actually need on the job, not just in theory but through hands-on tasks you’ll use every day.

What You Learn During Logistics Training

Getting trained in logistics means you learn by doing. Courses go beyond reading materials so you understand what it’s like to work in a busy supply chain. From the start, you are introduced to the kinds of tools and tasks used in actual workplaces, such as scanners, warehouse management, and logistics software for inventory and shipping.

Some of the main skills taught include:

– Inventory control, tracking goods, and keeping warehouse shelves organized

– Warehouse planning and learning what goes into running an efficient, safe shipping area

– Transportation systems covering how goods move by truck, rail, or air

A highlight for many students is using logistics software. These programs are part of day-to-day jobs like dispatch, stock management, and warehouse operations. Being comfortable with new technology is a big plus when it’s time to find work.

In the Supply Chain and Logistics training at NATS, students walk through scenarios based on the local industry, like handling inbound orders or scheduling truck shipments. Shop and classroom lessons are built around real examples so you enter the field ready for what employers want.

Why Brampton Is a Great Place to Start This Career

If you live in Brampton, you’re already right next to some of Ontario’s busiest routes for shipping and delivery. The city is close to Highway 401, Pearson Airport, and dozens of distribution centres that keep the Greater Toronto Area supplied day and night. All this local activity means lots of job opportunities right after graduation.

Companies here need trained logistics workers all year, not just at holiday time. Roles in manufacturing, freight, food supply, and retail all rely on people who know how to keep operations moving smoothly. When you study nearby, you can connect with employers faster and find placements or part-time work as you learn.

A big advantage is the chance to get practical experience with leading systems and tools found on job sites. NATS uses industry-standard technology so you are ready for the pace and expectations of real workplaces in Brampton.

Career Paths You Can Explore After Training

With logistics training behind you, there are several entry-level ways to start your career. Some of the most common jobs for new grads include:

– Shipping coordinator or clerk

– Inventory assistant or warehouse lead

– Dispatcher or freight tracking support

– Receiving assistant or stockroom worker

These jobs can start in large national networks or smaller local businesses. Some people focus on inventory and accuracy, while others enjoy solving delivery puzzles and route planning. As you get more experience, it is possible to move into shift supervisor, logistics planner, or specialist positions. Employers often promote from within for staff who show they can handle change and keep things on schedule.

Who Makes a Good Fit for This Kind of Work

Not everyone enjoys office work, and not everyone wants to be active all the time. Logistics training in Brampton appeals to those who like a balance. Good fit comes down to:

– Enjoying both planning and hands-on tasks

– Keeping organized, and thriving on teamwork

– Adapting well when schedules or deliveries change

– Wanting work that makes a real impact on daily operations

The field also welcomes New Canadians and career changers, since the skills learned transfer across companies and communities in Ontario. Training gives you a path into a reliable field without needing years of previous experience.

Ready to Move Toward Something New?

With so much economic activity across Brampton and the GTA, logistics training in Brampton gives you a clear path to a reliable job. Training programs focus directly on what hiring managers look for, combining tech, teamwork, and hands-on practice with real scenarios.

For anyone looking to make a change, add new skills, or start a first job, this hands-on logistics training can help turn your next step into long-term progress. In a field where every shift matters, it’s a smart way to make your work count.

Now’s a great time to look into logistics training in Brampton if you’re interested in steady, hands-on work that keeps Ontario businesses moving. Learning real skills like scheduling, shipping, and inventory in a practical setting helps you feel ready for the job from day one. Our program is built around the tools and situations you’ll actually see at work, and at North American Trade Schools, we focus on training that matches what employers look for. Let’s talk about how you can get started today.

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As we move further into fall, more people in Brampton are looking at jobs that offer steady hours, practical skills, and a clear career path. That’s where online supply chain training in Brampton is starting to stand out. From warehouses to transportation hubs, companies across the area are preparing for the busy winter season, and they need new workers who understand how things move behind the scenes.

Jobs in supply chain aren’t just about moving things from one place to another. They involve organization, planning, and communication between teams. That’s why good training matters. We’re seeing more future students ask about programs that teach these skills through applied, simulation-based learning, all from the flexibility of their own home. Let’s look at why these opportunities are gaining more attention, especially in Brampton.

What’s Driving Interest in Supply Chain Careers?

Brampton has long been a busy area for transportation and logistics. Warehouses, distribution centres, and manufacturing companies all keep products moving through this part of Ontario. Whether it’s food, clothing, electronics, or parts, something is always coming in or going out. That nonstop flow creates a steady need for new workers.

This steady work appeals to a lot of people. After the uncertainty many faced during the pandemic, more people now look for jobs with reliability. The supply chain stood out during those years because it kept stores stocked and deliveries coming, highlighting just how much goes into getting even the smallest products from a factory to your doorstep.

Another factor is that many do not want to spend years in university. They are looking for training that gets them into the workforce sooner. Supply chain careers often start with focused training and give room to grow once you are in the field.

How Online Training Programs Prepare You for Real Jobs

Modern supply chain jobs go well beyond lifting boxes and scanning barcodes. These roles include using computer systems, communicating with suppliers, tracking orders, and making sure products arrive on time. That’s why solid training needs to cover both physical tasks and behind-the-scenes planning.

The online Supply Chain and Logistics program at North American Trade Schools helps students build job-ready skills through a mix of interactive coursework and simulation-based projects. You learn how to handle inventory systems, manage shipping documents, and stay safe in a warehouse setting, all through applied exercises that mirror real-world logistics workflows. These are skills employers expect you to know from day one.

Timing matters too. Fall is a great season to get started with training, as many facilities ramp up hiring before the holiday rush. Completing your online training now can lead to more job openings by the time you graduate. 

If you are thinking about stepping into this type of work, training online while living in Brampton is a strong place to begin. The program covers everything from inventory software to workplace safety, and includes both Supply Chain and Logistics Operations and Global Supply Chain Logistics courses, all delivered remotely so you can learn at your own pace.

Why Brampton Is a Strategic Place to Work After Online Training

One of the biggest strengths of training online in Brampton is its location. The area is full of warehouses, shipping centres, and freight facilities, making it an important point in how products move across the country and beyond. While you train remotely, you’re preparing for roles right where the action is.

Brampton’s highways, airport, and public transit make commuting easy when you’re heading to a job interview or starting a new position. Employers here often look for people who already understand the local logistics systems and do not need to learn from scratch.

There’s also an advantage in training from home while staying connected to your local job market. Local streets, nearby stores, and support networks help make career training easier and less stressful. Many students find that learning new skills online while remaining in their community keeps them motivated and makes it easier to settle into their first jobs.

North American Trade Schools’ online approach means students complete simulation-based exercises and work with industry-standard software remotely, so you finish the program feeling prepared for the same tasks you’ll do at work.

Career Options You Can Step Into After Graduation

Many students are attracted to online supply chain training because the next steps after graduation are clear. You do not have to guess what comes next. There are jobs like:

– Logistics assistant: supporting shipment tracking, paperwork, and scheduling

– Inventory clerk: counting and recording items in a warehouse or store

– Shipping and receiving coordinator: making sure deliveries are correct and routes are organized

These entry-level jobs help you understand how a supply chain works. With experience, it becomes easier to move into roles like team supervisor or operations analyst. What starts as a first job can turn into a long career path with lots of room to grow.

When training matches what local employers are hiring for, you step in ready to do the work and move up.

Steady Work Through the Changing Seasons

Fall and early winter are some of the busiest seasons for supply chain jobs in Brampton. Stores prepare for more shopping, and companies try to stay stocked up for winter, so there is often a hiring push before the holidays. Starting training online in these months can help students find work faster after graduation.

But this industry is not just about peak season. Goods keep moving all year, which means jobs in the supply chain and logistics stay important. This kind of long-term stability is part of why so many people choose these careers. Online courses at North American Trade Schools focus on teaching the right blend of software use, warehouse management, and detail-oriented work that supply chain companies look for in every new hire. 

The Right Time to Build New Skills in Brampton

Brampton is a great place to build skills for a lasting career. With many local businesses hiring and flexible online training options, the supply chain is a smart choice for anyone looking to move into steady work. The mix of practical tasks and teamwork keeps the work interesting.

As fall rolls in, so do new job openings in logistics, warehousing, and shipping. If you want a path where you can see progress and grow, getting started with online supply chain training in Brampton now puts you ahead of the next hiring wave. For people who like hands-on work that makes a difference behind the scenes, this field is worth considering.

Now’s a great time to build skills that connect with real job opportunities. With strong demand across local industries, our online supply chain training in Brampton enables students to learn how goods, people, and systems work together, all from the comfort of their own homes. We focus on simulation-based, applied learning so you’re ready for roles in warehouses, dispatch, planning, and more. At North American Trade Schools, we’re here to help you take that next step with confidence.

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If you’re living in London and thinking about future job options, supply chain work could be the direction you’ve been looking for. More people across Ontario are considering careers that offer steady work, hands-on tasks, and room to grow. That’s where logistics comes in. It’s not a word most of us use every day, but it plays a role in nearly everything around us, getting food to shelves, packages to doors, or parts to factories.

So if you’ve been thinking about online logistics operations training in London, you may be wondering what the training includes and how it could actually turn into a real, full-time job. Let’s walk through it step by step. We’ll keep it simple and focus on what it’s really like to train, learn, and use those skills in a hands-on role.

What Is Logistics Operations, and Why Does It Matter?

Logistics operations are all about moving things from one place to another, safely and on time. The items might be foods, electronics, clothing, or raw materials, things we use every day. The people working in logistics ensure that these items are tracked, loaded, shipped, and recorded so that nothing gets lost or sent to the wrong place.

In London, you’ll find these jobs in shipping centres, delivery yards, big warehouses, and even at some retail distribution spots. With colder months just ahead, there’s increased movement as stores fill up with winter products, supplies arrive for building, and families buy early holiday gifts. This is peak season for companies that send, receive, and store products. Right now, they need workers who understand how to keep things running on schedule.

What You Learn During Logistics Operations Training

Most people don’t start out knowing how to run a warehouse or support a shipping team, and that’s okay; this is what training is for. Good online logistics operations training covers both interactive online coursework and applied exercises, so you can grow at your own pace and get the skills you need.

You’ll explore topics such as:

– How to track and record inventory reliably

– Loading, unloading, and safe movement of products

– Reading packing slips and customer orders correctly

– Using computers and warehouse software to manage daily tasks

– Team communication and basic problem-solving

You will also work on soft skills. Employers need people who handle busy periods calmly, follow instructions clearly, and are good to work alongside. This is something you’ll gain through the online Supply Chain and Logistics Operations Program at North American Trade Schools. The training is focused on the daily work you will actually be doing, so students get to try processes out rather than just hearing about them.

Hands-On Practice That Builds Real Confidence

Getting good at logistics takes more than theory. It’s about applying what you learn. You need to work through practical scenarios, engage with digital systems, and use the same software and processes used at warehouses across London and Ontario. Applied online learning in training shows you how jobs really get done, helps you move safely, and teaches you to keep things organized when life gets busy.

In the NATS program, you’ll do things like complete simulation-based exercises where you check and label virtual shipments, use digital inventory systems, run basic inventory reports, and practise packaging orders or sorting deliveries.

You could also work through safety drills, learn backup plans for busy periods, and practise responding to unexpected changes in orders. While training online, you’re preparing for roles in London’s active warehouse and logistics sector. 

Employers want staff who arrive ready to use warehouse systems, stay focused on details, and work quickly but safely. This is why being familiar with software and actual products helps you stand out. Online training makes you faster, steadier, and more ready when the job calls for it.

Career Paths After Training

After completing online logistics operations training in London, most new workers start in structured, full-time roles where the learning keeps building. Some common jobs available in London and across Ontario you could step into include:

– Warehouse associate

– Inventory clerk

– Shipper or receiver

– Entry-level logistics coordinator

These jobs give you clear tasks for each shift and usually stable hours. Once you’ve shown you can organize, track, and send the right items, you might move up to more responsibility, like leading a small team, running inventory audits, or managing more complex shipments.

The secret is getting comfortable with the basics, asking for help if needed, and consistently showing up ready to work and solve problems. Over time, simple beginnings can lead to supervisory or specialized positions.

How Training Prepares You for Busy Seasons

Fall and winter put a rush on the supply chain world in Ontario, and London is no different. Shipments increase as customers and businesses gear up for the colder months and the holiday shopping spike. Too few trained workers can leave warehouses under pressure and stocks behind schedule.

This is why starting online logistics operations training in London now can be so helpful. With jobs ramping up over the next few weeks, being skilled means you are job-ready when stores and warehouses need you most. Online training teaches you how to handle seasonal cycles, save time under pressure, and work with a team during the busiest days.

Recognizing when things are going to pick up, how to prepare for bigger orders, and how to respond when an urgent shipment comes in are all part of what you practise through online simulations and coursework. Being ready for these busy times gives you confidence, and it also makes you more valuable to employers looking for people who know how to stay steady.

Moving Toward a Career You Can Count On

Logistics jobs aren’t just about moving boxes. They’re about making sure businesses, stores, and customers all get what they need, when they need it. People often pick this field because it lets them stay active while building solid experience that transfers to many other jobs.

Online logistics operations training for students in London brings together job-focused learning, real-life practice, and habits that help students fit well into fast-paced workplaces. If you’re looking for a job that will always need strong, focused people, this field is a smart bet. Whether you want to get started immediately or plan to keep growing in the years ahead, these skills will help you step confidently into something steady and valuable.

Getting started with a supply-focused career doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right training and support, you can build practical skills online that help you feel more confident stepping into local warehouse and shipping jobs in London and across Ontario.

Our online logistics operations training in London blends applied exercises with interactive coursework, so you’re ready to work safely, track inventory, use basic software and keep things moving. At North American Trade Schools, we focus on what employers are really looking for. Train remotely on your schedule and prepare for in-demand roles in your area. Contact us today to take the first step.

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Whether you want to enter the industry as an aspiring student or are seeking to further your supply chain or logistics career, a firm grasp of global supply chain issues and disruption mitigation best practices is essential. Read on to learn more about supply chain disruption and tips for fostering resilience. 

Understanding Supply Chain Disruption

From international military conflict to climate change, many factors can directly or indirectly hinder supply chain operations. In recent years, a series of important global events have led to significant and ongoing global supply chain issues.

The Impact of Global Events on Supply Chains

Many earth-shattering events have contributed to global supply chain disruption and vulnerability over the past five years alone. When the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread across the globe in 2019, it brought with it a lasting supply chain crisis fueled by dramatic spikes in demand for critical products and skyrocketing e-commerce activity, among other factors. Subsequent obstacles to unencumbered trade and shipment include the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the significant physical disruptions at both the Panama Canal and the Suez Canal in 2024. The impact of these global events on supply chain operations has proven substantial, enduring, and costly.

Identifying Common Causes of Disruption

Beyond industrial accidents, military conflict, and political unrest, cyberattacks pose a significant threat to global supply chain stability. In addition to these entirely human/societal causes of supply chain disruption, natural disasters such as earthquakes, wildfires, and extreme weather events can make it entirely impossible to transport goods from one location to another.

Building a Resilient Supply Chain

According to the Fortune 500 firm Gartner, supply chain disruptions are now a certainty, being constant and unpredictable. The critical question to address is whether your organization is prepared to mitigate the next global supply chain disruption or other supply chain risks that arise.

Strategies for Risk Assessment and Management

To boost supply chain resiliency, Gartner stresses the importance of three strategic categories: visibility, resilience, and agility. Initiatives that focus on visibility can help supply chain professionals identify risks early and react to them accordingly. Initiatives that focus on resilience aid in the development of supply chain systems that resist, absorb, and recover from disruption. Additionally, initiatives that focus on agility focus on rapid response to supply chain disruption to avoid or minimize its negative impacts.

Importance of Flexibility in Supplier Selection

Stressing agility means ensuring flexibility in your choice of suppliers. Beyond seeking out suppliers that draw from a multitude of sources, companies should be prepared to pivot to others when current supplier performance falls below expectations or needs. To learn more about the importance of supply chain diversification, see the “Diversification as a Key Mitigation Strategy” section below.

Leveraging Technology for Supply Chain Continuity

Over the past several decades, digital technology has completely transformed the supply chain sector, dramatically enhancing capabilities to boost resilience by both assessing and managing risk.

The Role of AI and Machine Learning

The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC) recognizes artificial intelligence (AI) as a revolutionary technology reshaping supply chain management. AI applications in this field include predictive inventory analytics and real-time shipment tracking. According to MMTC, AI has the potential to enhance almost every aspect of the supply chain.

Implementing Blockchain for Transparency

In addition to AI, blockchain technology has provided significant strategic advantages in the global supply chain by enhancing transparency among the various companies involved. According to Deloitte, each business in the supply chain network contributes value to a product or service before it reaches the end user. This value exchange is recorded through transactions involving information, goods, services, and finances. A ‘permissioned blockchain’ can record these transactions on a shared, immutable ledger, enabling data capture, validation, and sharing across interconnected companies. This transparency fosters mutual trust and reduces supply chain risk.

Diversification as a Key Mitigation Approach

Supplier diversification up and down the supply chain can be a beneficial strategy for managing the risk of disruption. Although the heart of this strategy involves relying on multiple suppliers rather than one consolidated source, the types and areas of diversification might differ considerably from industry to industry. 

Geographic Diversification of Suppliers

Businesses can make their approach to diversification considerably more strategic by specifically considering geographic advantages and drawbacks. For example, adding supply chain links at the local level might cost more upfront but also generate lasting value through increased inventory control. One popular geographic diversification trend to consider is nearshoring, also known as moving production or supply operations to a nearby country rather than remaining with operations farther away. Nearshoring has proven an effective way to both mitigate disruption and shorten shipping cycle duration.

Product Sourcing and Inventory Diversification

If you want to ensure that your business has the products that it needs on hand, multisource supply chain strategies are key. Even if you secure a single supplier that can reliably source a product from several locations, you may want to maintain relationships with one or more second-tier or auxiliary suppliers to work around unforeseen supply chain disruptions that might arise. To maximize your multi-sourcing efforts, you would be wise to investigate inventory diversification opportunities, including using other products or raw materials if they are easier to access and transport.

Strengthening Supplier Relationships

While it is generally a good idea to acquire new suppliers to diversify your supply chain, it is equally advantageous to foster reliable, long-term relationships with your existing suppliers. An organization can save a tremendous amount of hassle and money by establishing and maintaining mutually beneficial partnerships with suppliers that they can trust to deliver high-quality goods on schedule.

Collaboration for Improved Supply Chain Visibility

Supply chain expert Efrata Denny emphasizes the importance of collaboration in supplier relationships, ranking it as the top reason to maintain strong ties with key suppliers. He explains that when suppliers are regarded as partners, the resulting collaboration creates a powerful synergy that drives organizational success.

Establishing Strong Communication Channels

Denny highlights that successful collaboration relies heavily on clear and open communication. He stresses that communication must be ongoing throughout the supply chain, not just during the contract negotiation phase. Regular updates, meetings, and feedback sessions are essential for maintaining alignment, making timely adjustments, and swiftly resolving any issues that occur.

Preparing for the Future of Supply Chains

The only true constant in supply chain management is change. Therefore, savvy supply chain professionals must plan for the industry’s immediate and distant future.

Trends Shaping the Future of Supply Chain Management

As detailed previously, innumerable natural and human-made issues can profoundly influence supply chain operations. Looking to the future, Gartner has identified trends in the following areas shaping the future of supply chain management for both the better and the worse, including trade policy, labor, energy, global health, sociopolitical unrest, and ESG (environmental, social, and governance).

Adapting to Changes in Consumer Demand and Regulation

In an issue brief on supply chain resilience, the White House listed industry transparency and public sector intervention as the two key factors driving global supply chain resilience. Both of these factors involve responding to rapid changes in consumer demand and adhering to evolving industry regulations. Among other things, this means improving access to relevant supply chain data and diversifying supplier sourcing in the many ways outlined in the “Diversification as a Key Mitigation Approach” section above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Anyone with a significant interest in supply chain management is likely to ponder one or more of the following FAQs about responding to global supply chain issues and risk mitigation.

Improve Your Global Supply Chain Strategy

You need a professional command of global supply chain strategy if you want to deliver optimal supply chain resilience. For this reason, among others, a supply chain/logistics industry-focused diploma is quite important. To learn more about what a practical education in the global supply chain can do for you, examine the Global Supply Chain & Logistics Management Diploma at North American Trade Schools (NATS) and enter your contact information in the “Connect with NATS” section for additional details.

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In today’s hyperconnected and e-commerce-driven world, international consumer and business transactions are more common than ever. Global commerce and trade can undoubtedly be quite lucrative, but it can also be complex and time-consuming to navigate. Chief among such obstacles that international importers and exporters must endure are border and customs clearance processes.  

Fortunately, organizations in Canada and elsewhere can significantly simplify and streamline customs and border clearance processes by approaching them with thorough preparation and strategic logic. Read on for some key guidelines for making Canadian customs clearance more straightforward and more efficient.  

What Is Customs Clearance? 

Briefly defined, customs clearance refers to the procedures one must follow and processes one must complete to import or export items and goods across international borders legally. Conducted under the authority of sanctioned government officers, it might involve anything from providing invoices and proof of insurance to passing pre-shipment inspection and other examinations. 

Key Components of the Canadian Customs Clearance Process 

For companies and individuals alike, the first step to importing or exporting goods over Canadian borders is to obtain a business number (BN) for an import/export account through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). There are no charges associated with securing a BN, and the entire application process takes just a few minutes. 

To get a new BN or add an import/export account identifier to a current BN, call the CRA at 1-800-959-5525 or see the CRA Business Registration Online section of the official Government of Canada website. When you are appropriately registered with the federal government, you can then begin considering the following key components of the Canadian customs clearance process. 

Documentation Requirements 

The documentation required to import goods into Canada is substantially more extensive than the documentation required to export goods out of it. Importers must begin by identifying the specific type and amount of goods they want to bring into the country, gathering as much information about them as possible. “Obtain descriptive literature, product composition information and, whenever possible, product samples,” stresses the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). “This information will be crucial when it comes time to determine the tariff classification of the goods you wish to import.”  

Tariffs are government fees imposed on imported items from various countries. Different items not only come with different tariffs but also require different documentation. While you should check with CBSA officials to ensure you have all the necessary documents to complete your intended import processes, the brokerage and trade consultancy Livingston identifies four documents that must accompany every shipment coming into Canada: 

• Canada Customs Invoice (CCI), or commercial invoice – Primarily used to calculate tariffs, the Canada Customs Invoice identifies both the buyer and seller, the countries of origin and destination, and detailed information about the goods being shipped. 

• Bill of lading (BOL) – Commonly known by the acronym BOL, this document is issued to the shipper of goods from the carrier of goods. BOLs allow importers to obtain merchandise and exporters to receive payment. Shipment tracking numbers are key elements of these documents. 
• Manifest or cargo control document (CCD) – Cargo control documents CCDs (otherwise known as manifests) go beyond cargo content details and names of importers/exporters to include information such as the type of shipment transportation as well as the captains, pilots, crew, and passengers that this transportation carries. 
• Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED): This document records every individual import shipment to its final domestic destination. One of its primary purposes is compiling international trade statistics. 

Although exports leaving Canada typically require fewer and less stringent government barriers, many goods that are (in the words of the CBSA) “controlled, regulated or prohibited may require export permits, certificates or licenses from other government departments and agencies.” These goods range from bodies or body parts and human pathogens to explosives that include both fireworks and ammunition. For a complete list of these restricted exports, see the “Goods That May Require Export Permits” section of the CBSA website. 

Tariffs, Duties, and Taxes 

Beyond the tariffs discussed above, the CBSA may also levy duties that vary according to the type of goods imported and their country of origin. For example, the organization applies an excise duty on certain imported luxury items. CBSA duty calculations also reflect the overall value of the goods in Canadian funds. 

The Canadian government levies a standard 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on all imported items, including those sent through the mail. However, goods sent by mail worth $20 (in Canadian dollars) or less are exempt from this tax. Gifts from friends or family members abroad can be worth as much as $60 before the GST applies. Individuals and organizations can also register for specific GST credits and rebates. 

Though the definitions of tariffs, duties, and taxes tend to overlap and blur together, they also have their distinct attributes. Tariffs apply to specific products from certain countries at particular times, duties are primarily based on cargo characteristics, and taxes are generally fixed and calculated on total cargo value. 

Customs Procedures and Compliance in Canada 

Eager to move through all necessary import and export customs procedures in full compliance with Canadian law? The CBSA presents the importation of goods into Canada as a comprehensive six-step process: 

1. Preparing to import by compiling all necessary shipper, receiver, cargo, and transportation information  

2. Classifying your goods according to relevant government regulations 

3. Determining all applicable tariffs, duties, and taxes 

4. Physically shipping and officially reporting your goods 

5. Seeking the official release of your goods 

6. Taking key steps after your goods are released 

Your primary imperative after the release of your goods will be to double-check your import/export records to immediately report any errors in the accounting information you have submitted to the Canadian government. Then, you should safely and securely store all documents pertaining to your import for at least six years. During this period, your import may be subject to verification and adjustment by the CBSA. 

Leveraging Technology for Streamlined Clearance 

Although the import and export customs process can be complicated, modern technology has made it much simpler by automating routine tasks, reducing manual paperwork, enhancing supply chain security, and providing real-time shipment tracking and transparency. Industry experts recommend the following forms of technology for import/export professionals who can benefit from them: 

• Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Automated Broker Interface (ABI) – Facilitates data transmission between customs brokers and relevant government agencies. 

• Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) – Facilitates the reporting of imports and exports between Canada and the United States. 
• Automated Customs Declarations Processing (ACDP) – Facilitates cargo valuation, origin declaration, tariff classification, and duty calculation. 

Global Supply Chain Management and Customs in Canada 

If you are an existing or aspiring supply chain manager who deals with international shipments, you should keep a few “big picture” factors in mind when approaching the role of import/export customs in your chosen profession. 

The Role of Logistics Management 

The pace, cost, and dependability of the customs clearance process will impact the pace, cost, and reliability of your international supply chain. Faster and more efficient customs clearance will give you a distinct competitive advantage as a supply chain manager. 

Coordinating With Canadian Suppliers and Distributors 

Choosing your partners wisely is a big part of supply chain success. Consider working with Canadian suppliers and distributors that thoroughly understand domestic customs procedures and processes. 

Compliance With Canadian and International Regulations 

Planning and preparation are essential to facilitate full regulatory compliance. Carefully research all pertinent regulations and requirements for Canada and any other country involved in your import and export operations. Be sure to obtain and complete all necessary documents in a timely manner. 

Strategies for Effective Customs Clearance in Canada 

Whether you are a supply chain professional, an importer/exporter, or another interested party, you can optimize your customs clearance knowledge and skill by: 

Staying Informed 

The logistics and transportation news source Inbound Logistics acknowledges the complexity of the customs clearance process but insists that it can be a smooth experience if you know what you are doing: “Because regulations and best practices are constantly changing, staying current on the latest developments in the customs world is an absolute must.” 

Following Accurate Documentation Practices for Canadian Imports 

After ensuring you are up to date on all current information and practices, you must use this information to fill out all required forms precisely, accurately, and completely well in advance of your scheduled import/export shipment date.  

Practicing Proactive Compliance Management in the Canadian Market 

It is crucial to anticipate bumps in the road—such as multiple customs clearance checks and unexpected tariffs, duties, and taxes. In addition to following best practices, taking thorough stock of the goods you are shipping can help you navigate the process. 

Earning a Global Supply Chain Management Diploma 

In Canada and elsewhere, you need a strong command of import and export customs clearance fundamentals if you wish to thrive as a supply chain manager or another international business professional. You can gain the many tools that lead to success through a high-quality global supply chain management program like the Global Supply Chain & Logistics Management diploma at North American Trade Schools (NATS). For more information, complete our short “Connect With NATS” form online today.  

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A global supply chain manager is responsible for the worldwide product flow management of an organization. During global supply chain and logistics training, you will learn a wide variety of skills to prepare you for the role.

During your logistics management diploma, the skills you will learn include data analytics, contracting, operations management, quality management, customs and global trade compliance, warehousing, communications, and supply management. 

You also have the opportunity to sit the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association certification exam and the Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification exam. Your training will thoroughly prepare you to succeed in a global supply chain and logistics role, however, to do this, you also need good foundational skills.

Discover the essential skills needed for global supply chain and logistics training. Check out this infographic!

[Infographic] 4 Important Skills To Have If You’re Considering Global Supply Chain And Logistics Training

1. High Attention to Detail

Being detail-oriented is important: 

• Every aspect of the logistic process is crucial and plays an important role. 
• You’ll need to focus on the details to ensure success throughout the supply chain. 
• High attention to detail often results in consistently improved systems and processes.
• Being attentive helps avoid mistakes. 

Indicators you have high attention to detail include: 

• Double-checking your work.
• Being a person who manages their time well. 

Strong attention to detail enables thorough evaluation of operations, minimizing errors in the workplace

2. Strong Interpersonal Skills 

Managing and communicating effectively is important: 

• In a management role, your ability to communicate effectively is important. 
• Effective communication and robust interpersonal skills are essential for interacting and negotiating with business partners. 
• Be customer-oriented to ensure client satisfaction and continued business. 
• Strong listening and effective communication skills, will help you thrive in a global supply chain management role. 

Indicators that you have strong interpersonal skills include: 

• You can collaborate with others whenever needed. 
• You can communicate your ideas in an easy-to-understand manner.

You need to be able to communicate effectively with team members and customers to succeed in the role.  

3. Adaptable in all Situations  

Situations change and being adaptable is important: 

• Successfully managing and solving logistics challenges is key to excelling in your role.
• You must think quickly, analyze situations, and devise solutions under pressure.
• Adaptability in learning new systems and processes is crucial as they evolve. 

Indicators that you have effective adaptation skills include: 

• You work well under pressure.
• You enjoy problem solving. 
• You commit fully when mastering new skills.  

In changing situations, swift and clear adaptation and decision-making are essential.

4. Know Technology  

Being technologically savvy is important: 

• Supply chains are complicated and require software and programs to remain up-to-date. 
• The software and programs streamline tasks and information.
• Knowledge of computer systems is crucial.
• In larger companies, technological processes become more complex due to the increased volume of information to manage and update.

Indicators showing you have strong technical skills include: 

• You know how to navigate a computer system well, including Microsoft Suite. 
• You can efficiently utilize programs, quickly mastering their features to accomplish tasks.

Understanding and working with technology is fundamental to a global supply chain and logistics role.

Sources: 

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/logistics-career-skills

https://www.logisticsbureau.com/7-key-supply-chain-leaders-skills-and-why-you-need-them/

https://www.techtarget.com/searcherp/feature/5-skills-supply-chain-professionals-need

http://www.taylorollinson.co.uk/assets/Competencies.pdf

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The logistics industry has undergone a seismic shift after the global pandemic. The pandemic has significantly affected supply chains, transportation, and logistics worldwide. Trade restrictions, port closures, and workforce reductions have led to disruptions, obliging logistics professionals to adapt swiftly. With a surge in e-commerce, evolving customer expectations, and ongoing supply chain disruptions, the landscape for logistics training graduates has become more dynamic than ever. 

Fresh out of logistics training, you’re equipped with the knowledge and skills to navigate this new reality. However, translating textbook concepts into practical solutions in a post-pandemic world requires a strategic approach. This blog post highlights some key areas to focus on as you embark on your logistics career:

Embrace Flexibility and Adaptability and Deepen Your Understanding of E-Commerce

The pandemic highlighted the importance of agility in the face of unforeseen circumstances. Gone are the days of rigid, linear supply chains. Today’s logistics professionals must be adaptable and capable of quickly pivoting strategies and workflows to address disruptions. 

This means staying abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and geopolitical issues that could impact global trade. Familiarize yourself with alternative solutions, such as diversified sourcing strategies and multimodal transportation options. 

As most logistics courses highlight, E-commerce has become a dominant force in the retail landscape. As a logistics professional, understanding the intricacies of e-commerce fulfillment is crucial. 

This includes knowledge of warehousing and inventory management specific to e-commerce needs, such as streamlined picking and packing processes, efficient last-mile delivery solutions, and robust reverse logistics systems for returns and exchanges. 

Familiarize yourself with e-commerce platforms and marketplaces and the fulfillment models they utilize. Understanding customer expectations for fast, reliable deliveries is paramount.

Leverage Technology and Prioritize Data Security

Technology is transforming the logistics industry at an unprecedented pace. Various tools can enhance efficiency, productivity, and data-driven decision-making, from warehouse automation to blockchain-powered supply chain tracking.

Embrace opportunities to learn about and utilize logistics management software, warehouse management systems, and transportation management systems. Familiarity with data analytics tools will position you well as companies increasingly rely on data to optimize operations and predict demand.

Cybersecurity threats are growing in the logistics industry, where valuable data is constantly moving. As a logistics professional, you play a vital role in protecting sensitive information such as customer data, trade secrets, and shipment details. 

Develop and implement best practices for data security, including vital password hygiene, awareness of phishing scams, and adherence to data privacy regulations. 

Develop Strong Communication Skills and Build Your Network after Logistics Training

Effective communication is vital across industries, but it is especially crucial in logistics, where efficient collaboration between departments and external partners is key.

Work on refining your written and verbal communication skills during and after your logistics training. Practice active listening and clear articulation during meetings and negotiations. Effective communication fosters trust and transparency, leading to better problem-solving and smoother workflows.

Building strong professional relationships is vital to career growth in the logistics industry. Attend industry events, connect with logistics professionals online, and don’t hesitate to engage with industry experts. 

Mentorship from experienced professionals can provide valuable insights and guidance as you navigate your career path. Additionally, a strong network opens doors to new opportunities, allowing you to stay current on industry trends and informed about job openings.

Are you looking for world-class career training?

Contact NATS for more information.

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The ultimate goal of operations planning is to properly and consistently align and optimize the flow of supply chain resources to satisfy customer demands efficiently at all times. Because proper operations planning is key to the success of every logistics business, it is essential to have the right approach. 

If you’ve just finished your Supply Chain and Logistics training and fancy a career in operations planning, you’ll find the information here very valuable. Here are some important tips for operations planning to keep in mind on your journey. 

Map Out Your Supply Chain Process Flows

The process flows around your supply chain and provides a trail of activities that allow you to track your operations planning. To understand these process flows and their implications on your supply chain operations, map them out extensively and observe every detail. Document the sequence of events from the time of order and procurement through the storage, distribution, and delivery processes leading to the final consumer. 

Also, highlight all the inputs, outputs, logistics, operations, and key players actively participating in each stage and analyze their interaction. When you do this properly and effectively, you will have figured out any gaps, inefficiencies, and problem points in your supply chain.

Logistics Management Training Teaches Comprehensive Supply Chain Infrastructure Analysis

When you conduct a thorough supply chain infrastructure analysis, you can find out what works well, optimize those processes, and identify areas needing improvements or upgrades. This analysis should cover the condition of your warehouses, transport fleet, staffing capacity, equipment, and other technology systems that your supply chain operations rely on. 

This allows for easy discovery of any bottlenecks, outdated processes, and capacity constraints that impact your operation. After identifying your operational challenges, you can now make plans and deploy the right personnel to make all the necessary improvements. This analysis process is emphasized in most logistics management training programs as it helps pave the way for more informed decision-making by logistics managers. 

Examine Supply Chain Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Your KPIs are key to evaluating your supply chain’s performance level in line with set parameters and standards. When you assess your supply chain’s KPIs and compare them to industry standards, you can find out what competitive gaps need closing and what standards need reinforcing. Your KPIs typically include total supply chain costs, inventory turnover rates, and lead times. 

They influence many activities accounted for in your operations planning and define your supply chain. And because they constantly change as operations play out, you’ll need to put them within range of a regular monitoring system. This way, you’ll always know what direction to take while planning your operations.

Identify Risks and Create Actionable Mitigation Plans

Risk analysis in operations planning is a feature of many logistics management courses due to its importance. While carrying out operations planning, it is important to do proper risk analysis around your supply chain. Your risk analysis should cover all activities in your operations, from supply to distribution and delivery. 

After examining the various risk factors associated with your supply chain operations, you can make appropriate mitigation plans. If you find that there’s potential for a particular process to no longer be applicable, reliable, or practical, you can create a contingency plan to cover it. 

Are you interested in a logistics management diploma?

Contact NATS today to learn how you can get started.

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Whether you are a novice just considering a career in supply chain/logistics operations or are a seasoned career veteran adapting to modern industry sensibilities, a firm understanding of green supply chain practices is essential. As business leaders and general consumers become more aware of environmental issues, the topic of sustainable supply chain management has become a prevalent subject among professionals, academics, and the public at large.

Understanding Sustainable Supply Chain Practices

The term ‘supply chain sustainability’ encompasses all supply chain/logistics practices with environmental benefits. Professionals can improve sustainability across the supply chain by sourcing eco-friendly materials and reducing carbon emissions in delivery. 

Because they often focus on the efficient use and optimized consumption of resources, green supply chain practices can generally streamline operations and deliver a solid return on investment (ROI). Most sustainable supply chain practices adhere to one or more versions of the common ‘5 Rs,’ driving improvements in areas such as reduction, recycling, reuse, redesign, and rethinking.

Importance of Sustainability in Supply Chain and Logistics

As described above, the definitive characteristic of a green supply chain practice is its ability to cut carbon emissions or address other key environmental concerns. We have also mentioned that sustainable supply chain practices can boost efficiency, cut costs, and improve an organization’s financial bottom line. However, there are other common green supply chain benefits, many of which will be covered at some length as this article progresses. Sustainability in the supply chain can:

• Improve public reputation and consumer outreach.
• Foster and strengthen community and professional partnerships.
• Create “win-win” business opportunities.
• Benefit local hiring and fair labor practices.
• Promote a positive and productive work culture.
• Aid in general chain risk mitigation.
• Drive ongoing supply chain improvements.

How Sustainable Supply Chains Drive Business Transformation

Even the most eco-friendly organizations must focus on operational efficiency and ROI. With these ‘bottom line’ factors firmly in mind, organizations are paying close attention to the ways in which green supply chains can limit operational risks and drive revenue generation.

Reducing Operational Risks With Sustainability

While no management practice or approach can eliminate risk, an emphasis on sustainability in the supply chain can help organizations better understand, monitor, evaluate, and address risks to avoid major problems and take advantage of promising opportunities. 

For example, Deloitte, a multinational financial services giant, explains in its article “Managing Risk Through Sustainable Supply Chains” that an agri-food company might find most suppliers of a particular commodity facing water scarcity in their primary supply basin. The company should at least work with these suppliers to develop risk mitigation strategies. It could also find alternative suppliers in regions without these issues or where drought patterns differ from those in the first region.

Driving Revenues Through Sustainable Practices

If you want to improve your organization’s financial bottom line, a few things can take you further than effective operational risk identification and management. However, this is only one among several different areas of supply chain operations that can benefit financially from green practices.

The Deloitte white paper “Sustainable Supply Chain Transformation” highlights how sustainability in supply chain and logistics can cut costs, streamline operations, and generate revenue. It details how these practices can create and sustain value and outlines new business opportunities, value propositions, distribution channels, and revenue streams.

Improving Supply Chain Sustainability

While the advantages of a sustainable supply chain are clear, the methods and tools required to achieve them can be puzzling and complex. To complicate matters further, some of these methods are mutually exclusive or inadvisable due to poor ROI. Read on for some advice on choosing and implementing effective, sustainable supply chain practices.

Strategies to Reduce Emissions in Transportation and Logistics

One of the best ways that a supply chain/logistics company can promote a healthier environment is by reducing the carbon emissions produced by vehicles during the ground delivery process. The trucking distribution experts at A Tech have identified “7 Ways to Lower Your Carbon Emissions in Trucking and Logistics”: reducing transportation distance, using low-emission vehicles, improving vehicle efficiency, adopting sustainable packaging, contracting with renewable power companies, employing emission-reducing data analytics, and establishing eco-friendly collaborations with both suppliers and customers.

Implementing Sustainable Procurement Policies

When it comes to partnering with suppliers, the B2B sustainability group Matcha Initiative presents a methodology that can make a real difference in the global ecosystem.

In its article “How to Write a Sustainable Procurement Policy,” Matcha guides organizations through the sustainable procurement policy implementation process by asking them to evaluate their current procurement policy, identify areas of green improvement, redesign purchasing processes with a dual focus on sustainability and ROI, and continually monitoring the effects of this redesign through the evaluation of key performance indicators (KPIs).

Investing in Renewable Energy Sources and Green Technology

For several organizations, KPIs clearly demonstrate the tremendous benefits of sustainable supply chain policies and practices in terms of environmental impacts and investment potential. While they may have substantial upfront costs, investing in renewable energy sources and green technology often pays dividends in the end.

Role of Sustainable Supplier Relationship Management

A wise supply chain/logistics manager will integrate sustainability concerns into a larger supplier relationship management (SRM) program that encompasses a whole spectrum of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters. As industry insiders, government agencies, and general consumers alike are holding organizations to stricter ethical standards, ESG issues have become an unavoidable aspect of positive public relations and ultimate marketplace success.

Increasing Transparency in Supplier Relationships

In “Managing Risk Through Sustainable Supply Chains,” Deloitte states that full transparency with suppliers is crucial for green supply chain management and broader ESG (environmental, social, governance) efforts. It questions what actions to take if a supplier’s behavior risks these goals, such as endangering operating licenses through irresponsible environmental practices. Any supply chain participant must ethically address such issues.

The Impact of Ethical Labor Practices on Sustainability

As calls for transparency uncover various ecological problems, they tend to shine a light on unethical labor practices as well. In fact, problematic environmental and labor practices often go hand in hand. Fortunately, increased transparency is making a difference in supply chain/logistics employer oversight. The business news outlet The Future of Commerce reports that 57 percent of today’s supply chain organizations are actively monitoring the labor conditions of suppliers.

Sustainable Supply Chain Education and Collaboration

Whether you are communicating upstream to suppliers or downstream to consumers, education and collaboration are essential components of most sustainable supply chain initiatives.

Promoting Sustainability Education Within the Supply Chain Field

The journal “Sustainable Development Goals in Tertiary Education for Sustainability” highlights the importance of teaching sustainability throughout the supply chain in the article “Experiential Learning for Sustainability in Supply Chain Management Education.” The article goes beyond viewing supply chains merely as product and service delivery networks from raw material to consumer. It suggests educational strategies to promote sustainable development in communities and their wider environments.

The Importance of Collaboration for Sustainable Practices

Individuals and organizations dedicated to sustainable practices can benefit from collaboration in various ways. Collaboration is incredibly valuable in all fields and industries as a prerequisite for the effective sharing of ideas and resources. However, the pace of development in the worlds of green processes and technology makes collaboration even more valuable in the field of supply chain/logistics.

Measuring and Reporting Environmental Performance

As previously mentioned in our brief discussion of using KPIs to evaluate green practices, measuring and reporting performance is key to any worthy sustainable supply chain initiative.

The Role of Data and Analytics in Supply Chain Sustainability

Their ability to accurately and comprehensively track and evaluate a variety of operational factors in real time makes data analysis and digital analytics indispensable supply chain sustainability tools.

Establishing and Achieving Sustainability Goals

The real-time insights supplied by data analytics and other forms of measurement and reporting can be invaluable. This is especially true when setting a strategic sustainability plan and reaching final sustainability objectives.

Community Support and Waste Reduction in Supply Chain Sustainability

Sustainability issues and goals vary widely from organization to organization. Yet, community support and waste reduction have emerged as key issues in the industry and marketplace today.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Supply Chain Sustainability

New challenges and solutions regularly emerge in the world of supply chain sustainability. Therefore, it is vital to stay abreast of the latest developments and ongoing trends shaping green supply chain practices today. The global sustainability association Businesses for Social Responsibility identified artificial intelligence, machine learning, and digital automation as key technological forces that promise to further sustainability in supply chain/logistics throughout 2025 and beyond.

Other supply chain/logistics trends to watch include increasing consumer demand for faster delivery options and the growing numbers of expatriates living in places outside their countries of origin. Ironically, climate change itself presents some of the most prevalent obstacles preventing the expansion of sustainable supply chain practices. For example, the widespread adoption of sustainable packaging is often hindered by ecological forces that limit the availability of necessary raw materials.

What Are the Long-Term Prospects for Careers in Sustainable Supply Chain?

As they continue to drive management innovation throughout the supply chain/logistics field, green practices are likely to shape the career trajectories of many for the foreseeable future. For this reason, among others, the job forecast for supply chain logisticians is exceptionally bright. With an expected occupational expansion of 18 percent through 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the pace of employment growth for logisticians is roughly six times the national average. The BLS also presents a relatively positive outlook for the earning potential of supply chain logisticians, reporting a median annual salary of roughly $78,000 per year.

Pursue a Sustainable Supply Chain Career

A quality supply chain industry training program like the one at North American Trade Schools (NATS) will stress sustainable practices as part of its curriculum. Get details at the official NATS Supply Chain and Logistics Operations program page and fill out the online form for more information. 

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Shipping and logistics experts list a lack of adequate supply chain visibility as one of the main reasons for the massive supply chain failures that occurred in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. While enhanced clarity tends to optimize all types of business operations, many people misunderstand the specific definition and benefits of visibility in the supply chain. 

Visibility is just one of many principles and topics covered as part of a comprehensive supply chain and logistics management program. A quality program, like the one offered at North American Trade Schools (NATS), will clearly demonstrate how the various areas of supply chain and logistics work together. 

What Is Supply Chain Visibility (SCV)?

Supply chain visibility (SCV) is the degree of transparency inherent in any set of supply chain systems, processes, and operations. A key defining characteristic of SCV is supply chain tracking (or supply chain traceability), which involves the ability to track individual items over the entire course of its supply chain journey. In some cases, this might mean tracing the journey of raw materials into a manufacturing plant as well as the journey of the finished products that exit it.

Importance of SCV and Traceability in Modern Businesses

As massive e-commerce retailers like Amazon now dominate the global consumer marketplace, shipping has become more prevalent for businesses at both domestic and international levels. As the sheer volume and practical complexity of shipments have increased over the years, companies have outsourced many components of their supply chains and sacrificed a great deal of their control over shipping and logistics operations.

This is why SCV and traceability have become particularly important supply chain and logistics issues in the 2020s. As supply chains become increasingly complex, the value inherent in SCV and traceability is only likely to grow for businesses of all types and sizes.

SCV is driven by modern technology that offers capabilities that would have been unimaginable for the supply chain and logistics professionals of yesterday. This technology employs artificial intelligence (AI) and other state-of-the-art tools to trace inventory in real time and provide a broad spectrum of operational insights.

Why Supply Chain Visibility Is Important in Customer Service

If you want satisfied customers, you must deliver products quickly and meet all other shipment expectations. To do this, you will need to order incoming supplies to meet demand and avoid shortages that might otherwise hinder production. You will also need to oversee the smooth and efficient movement of your products to the final consumer. In all these operations, you should take care to avoid impending shipment bottlenecks and meet all relevant compliance directives.

SCV can help supply chain and logistics professionals do all the above and more. Companies can use SCV tech to make supply chain changes to meet changing consumer demands. By tracing each movement of a particular shipping item, they can better respond to unforeseen supply chain challenges. Even better, they can offer customers access to real-time shipment tracking, which can make receiving shipments far more convenient.

How Can Real-Time Tracking Revolutionize Supply Chain Management?

From boosting logistics efficiency to improving customer service, real-time tracking is changing the face of supply chain operations in a variety of ways. The transparency real-time tracking offers can even aid in the development and maintenance of strong and productive supplier relationships. It has also proven to enhance the bottom business line by stabilizing business operations and producing bigger profit margins.

Here are just a few more ways that real-time supply chain tracking is revolutionizing the field of supply chain management:

Compliance with Regulations

One of the most fundamental hurdles you must clear to run a successful business is ensuring full compliance with all regulatory standards and guidelines that are relevant to your supply chain and logistics activities. Real-time tracking and other SCV measures boost transparency to support a broad spectrum of reporting functions.

Enhanced Risk Management

From its ability to foresee random supply bottlenecks to its ability to identify even momentary delays, real-time tracking enhances supply chain and logistics risk management on numerous different fronts. Additionally, AI systems can address many problems instantly and automatically after detecting them.

Accountability

Real-time tracking brings accountability to shipping that offers tremendous value to consumers. Up-to-date shipment traceability has led to more accurate arrival estimates and advancements in areas that range from inventory planning to resource optimization.

Improved Quality

All three of the real-time tracking benefits above lead to improved supply chain and logistics quality, which can boost customer satisfaction and lead to any number of competitive advantages. Other key SCV quality improvements include the ability to compare different transport routes with a focus on measuring discrepancies and altering planned routes to maximize efficiency.

Challenges in Implementing Real-Time Supply Chain Tracking

Although the advantages of real-time supply chain tracking are quite obvious, its implementation doesn’t come without its share of challenges. To better wrap our minds around these challenges, it may be helpful to break them down into three categories: technical, operational, and financial.

Technical Challenges

One of the best ways to sidestep the many technical challenges that go hand in hand with real-time tracking technology implementation is picking the right technology and the right vendor to install it. Keep your supply chain wants and needs in mind while searching for the right vendor—paying close attention to matters such as system customization, data security, and technical support capabilities.

Operational Challenges

Real-time tracking and other SCV measures have proven exceedingly effective solutions to common shipping and inventory problems in areas that include loading, unloading, transport, shelving, picking, and packing. Tailoring your system to address your chosen areas of focus can present significant obstacles during the implementation process.

Financial Challenges

There is no getting around the fact that implementing real-time tracking and other SCV measures comes with a substantial up-front price tag. Over a relatively brief period, however, these measures typically pay for themselves through the increased efficiencies that they engender. Given its proven ability to help anticipate and respond to supply chain disruptions, it can protect you against a supply chain catastrophe that might be just around the corner.

Overcoming Challenges in Real-Time Tracking Implementation

While the challenges to effective real-time supply chain tracking are quite real, you can address them immediately or stop them before they start by adhering to the following general guidelines:

Utilize Efficient Software Solutions

SCV software optimizes supply chain logistics by combining real-time tracking of shipments with automated operational and analytical processing to reduce delivery times, increase on-time deliveries, cut operating costs, and improve customer service. As stressed above, the best software solutions for you will depend on what you expect from SCV and the unique supply chain/logistics challenges you face.

Adopt Best Practices for Supply Chain Management

Modern technology can accomplish amazing things when it comes to managing effective supply chain and logistics operations. However, even the most advanced AI will fail to produce optimal results without the strategic guidance and oversight of skilled and knowledgeable human beings. 

One of the most crucial best practices of productive supply chain management is establishing a unified operational structure. Today’s supply chain manager must ensure smooth functionality among various business entities that often include outsourced, third-party service providers. With a productive network in place, the supply chain manager can establish standard operating procedures (SOP) to meet specific goals. Because the supply chain and logistics world is highly dynamic, wise managers will encourage ongoing feedback from all team members to better align SOP with goals over the long term.

Future Trends in SCV and Real-Time Tracking

As supply chain and logistics leaders look to the future of the industry, they see an increased focus on SCV. By combining the data from real-time tracking with data such as traffic patterns and weather conditions, SCV systems can effectively circumvent logistics issues and plan to avoid them altogether. Around the world, shippers are leveraging the power of real-time tracking to make more timely supply orders and enhance customer service.

Here are just a few other trends to consider regarding SCV and real-time tracking:

Integration With Other Technologies

Industry experts agree that real-time tracking works best when paired with AI, cloud storage, and other interrelated technologies. In fact, effective modern supply chain tracking demands integration with devices and equipment empowered by the Internet of Things (IoT). Using a system of sensors and codes, supply chain IoT allows physical equipment and inventory items to interact intelligently with one another to track movement in real time with full transparency.

Potential Industry Innovations

From cloud storage to IoT, tech leaders are constantly pioneering new hardware and software in different fields that relate to supply chain and logistics. Digital twinning is just one of many innovations in the field of AI. A virtual modeling of targeted physical assets using digital technology, twinning uses machine learning algorithms to better understand supply chain operations, conduct supply chain testing, monitor supply chain contingencies, and resolve supply chain problems.

Is Investing in Real-Time Tracking Worth It?

Assessing the ultimate value of real-time supply chain tracking is something that each organization will have to determine individually. But it is critical to note that you can make the integration of real-time tracking far more cost-effective by clearly defining your unique goals and making the services you choose to secure highly specific Many organizations discover that real-time tracking analytics greatly enhance supply chain operations by identifying areas for improvement, optimizing performance, and boosting financial and business growth.

Integration and Compatibility With Existing Systems

Supply chain and logistics professionals can significantly offset the upfront costs associated with an investment in real-time tracking by ensuring that their existing operational platforms and digital systems are ready for integration. This means evaluating technology to confirm or achieve compatibility with real-time tracking according to all essential performance benchmarks. You must also educate and prepare your team for the real-time tracking transformation by honestly communicating both its advantages and the challenges that its integration is likely to present.

Cost Considerations and ROI Analysis Factors

Though the hassles and headaches of real-time tracking integration may be difficult to quantify, you can effectively assess financial cost considerations using return on investment (ROI) calculations. A common investment appraisal calculation, ROI can help supply chain managers determine which, if any, real-time tracking measures to take.

Benefits of Pursuing a Supply Chain Management Program

Beyond matters related to SCV and real-time tracking, a good global supply chain and logistics management program, like the one at NATS, is an excellent way to prepare for a career in supply chain management or perfect your existing logistics operations.

Check out the Global Supply Chain and Logistics Management program from North American Trade Schools, then fill out the form today to request more information and see if this program is right for you!

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