Supply and distribution companies face technology and global regulatory issues on a continual basis. You must keep up with supply chain and distribution news so that you can utilize the latest software that’s coming out and make arrangements to change delivery schedules to emerging countries with various import/export rules. Chain distributor operations are affected by changing laws and regulations that shape supply chain and distribution services.

The trends affecting chain of distribution solutions change with the political and economic changes in the world. Updated distribution chain publications can keep you informed of the breaking news that could disrupt your supply central distribution. Subscribe to email alerts and news feeds that send you those breaking news stories. Look for supply chain distribution news and trends in a variety of places.

1. Register for email alerts and supply central distribution news feeds.

2. Encourage your staff to read publications for supply central distribution.

3. Join other professionals in supply distribution trade groups.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get RSS feeds and distribution supply newsletters

Set up your computer to alert you to breaking supply and distribution news that you must know about to keep your distribution flowing smoothly. Read other trend newsletters and technology reports regularly to help with decisions when you need to upgrade your operational software and warehouse equipment.

I recommend: Logistics Management will provide you with news that covers every aspect of your supply chain activity with current updates and trend information. Follow news and trends that affect the electronic supply chain industry through EDN.

Make information gathering an important piece of your supply chain distribution business

Make sure your distribution chain managers keep up with breaking news and trends so they can make necessary adjustments in deliveries and vendor deliveries. You don't want to find out too late that the political climate in a country that supplies your inventory will prevent important deliveries.

I recommend: Get your managers to tune in to the news and educational offerings posted by Cygnus's Supply & Demand Chain Executive. Supply Chain Digest is an important player in the news business for the industry with up to date articles and headlines available each day from sources around the country.

Participate in associations for chain distributors

Show up at supply and distribution association meetings and conferences so that you can build important relationships with other professionals who can share important news and trends with you. Find out how your peers are incorporating the latest IT solutions that are streamlining distribution in supply chain centers.

I recommend: Get involved with the Industrial Supply Association for updates on the news, as well as opportunities to attend conferences and meetings where you’ll find other sources of news and trends. Find in-depth reporting and analysis of the issues facing industry professionals through a membership in the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Talk to your supply chain distribution vendors and software providers occasionally to get their take on emerging issues and recent IT developments. Sometimes the best sources of news and information are your suppliers and customers.

The supply chain and distribution channel is not your daddy's supply chain and distribution channel anymore. In fact, today's distribution chain is facing unprecedented changes that pose challenges and rewards to all participants in the supply and distribution trade.

Partners all along the "traditional" distribution and supply chain channel are being challenged by new entrants into supply and distribution markets across many industries. The waters have been muddied by the Internet and the introduction of consumers and end-users into supply chain distribution.

Successful distribution and supply chain management is characterized by a solid organization featuring a centralized hub supported by satellite chain distributor. Picture it as the spokes of a wheel connected at the middle--the hub.

The "new" supply chain and distribution channel has several key components, which fall under the supply chain management "umbrella." These components include:

1. Distribution--the physical logistics of moving inventory along a chain of distribution.

2. Inventory management--the entities that control how much is moved and where it is stored.

3. Customers--identifying who the "real" customers are and keeping their loyalty despite all of the changes to the supply chain and distribution channel.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Plan the chain of distribution carefully

Manage your plan from within your chain, not from above. If you use statistics and historical data, you are not getting the whole picture. Talk to your partners and understand their needs using the traditional one-on-one approach.

I recommend: Examine successful supply chain distribution, some examples of companies that have refined and reworked their own distribution and supply chain management strategies. These include Dell Computers, which has assembled a world-class distribution chain and Praxair, which advertises itself as "North America's largest inventory of welding equipment, filler metals, gas apparatus, and safety products."

Choose your distribution chain players

Who do you trust to make you successful? The answer should be your distributor partner. Not only is that partner a known commodity, but they can also provide business in the growing global market. Your newest partner could be half a world away, thanks to globalization and the new global economy.

I recommend: Meet the changing face of supply distribution markets by being "fully loaded" with two types of channel partners: private equity firms and planning/forecasting consultants. Contact Supply Chain Equity Partners for questions on investment possibilities and Supply Chain Consultants for forecast improvement analysis.

Use supporting distribution chain management software

Technology has made supply chain management for distributors manageable and reliable. Supply chain management software helps in planning, projecting and implementing the chain of distribution.

I recommend: There are many different software programs to choose. It is best to test drive a few before finding the one that suits your business model the best. Request more information and product trials with Netsuite and Logility. Ross SCM software provides original solutions to manufacturers of the food and beverage, life sciences, metals, chemicals and natural product industries. Are you in the retail and wholesale distribution business? Sentai's Trax Distribution offers an integrated accounting and inventory control solution. Request a free demo.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Plan and implement a supply chain and distribution program, understanding the role of each player along the distribution channel, including the 'new' global community and the changing face of end-users.
• •  Research the tools and training needed to have a successful supply chain distribution strategy.

Depending on where you work in the supply and distribution chain, various supply chain distribution education and training programs will help you and your management staff excel at your core business, grow your business and ultimately improve your bottom line. During tough economic times, everyone's fighting for the next contract, and you've got to have something that sets you apart from the competition if you're going to succeed.

One of the top dangers facing those in the distribution supply industry comes in the form of status quo. You can't get ahead in the industry without continually striving to achieve more through training and education. This guide focuses on different venues for supply chain distribution education and training:

1. Training courses and other educational programs in supply chain management for distributors.

2. Certification and degree programs useful to those in supply chain distribution.

3. Conferences and trade shows beneficial to those in distribution-supply.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Participate in training courses and other educational programs for distribution supply

Top distribution and supply chain management officials need courses and programs that help them see the big picture in the supply and distribution industry.

I recommend: Contact Buker, a management education and consulting company that first opened its doors in 1979, to schedule the company's two-day Distribution Resource Planning Training program onsite at your location. Topics for the training program include business strategy, management planning, supplier partnerships, performance measurement and benchmarking, steps to world-class distribution and more. Daniel Penn Associates, a management consultant firm, offers supply chain and distribution classes to assist in your professional development. The courses cover the chain of distribution and tackle topics like corporate safety leadership, stronger shipper-carrier relationships, freight claims, making the most of warehousing technology, operations asset management planning and scheduling, bulk packaging and distribution, transportation law and warehousing. Bookmark the Modern Distribution Management website to view educational webcasts dealing with current supply distribution issues.

Pursue certification and degree programs for those in distribution and supply chain management

Supply chain certification and degree programs go a long way toward enhancing professional competence, capability and expertise.

I recommend: Click on the links to learn more about the certifications in supply chain management offered through Supply Chain Education, a provider of online supply chain distribution education. Read more about the Certified Professional in Supply Management Program offered through the Institute for Supply Management. ISM ranks as the largest supply management association in the world, includes more than 40,000 members and offers many professional development and educational opportunities. Earn a Bachelor of Science in Business/Integrated Supply Chain and Operations Management online through the University of Phoenix.

Attend supply distribution conferences and trade shows

Managers and decision makers for distribution in supply chain organizations will definitely benefit from attending and participating in conferences and trade shows. These events assist in the professional development of supply chain management (SCM) through increased networking opportunities and educational seminars and workshops.

I recommend: As supply chain and distribution managers and decision makers, make your reservations to attend the Supply Chain Leaders in Action Conference. Presented by Distribution Business Management Association, the three-day conference offers panel discussions, interactive sessions, super sessions and lab super sessions to provide supply chain distributors and other supply chain professionals with a complete picture of the industry. Bookmark the Material Handling Industry of America Tradeshows page to get current information about upcoming shows relative to distribution SCM.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As a supply chain distributor, go after certification programs that will help you advance your company and your career. Don't shy away from a strong certification program because you can't complete all aspects of the program online. Some programs will use testing centers throughout the country for convenience to certification applicants, while others allow applicants to test onsite at their own workplace using a qualified proctor.