And now...direct from our cyberspace newsroom
We recently went on line to see how the materials handling industry is faring on the Web only to find that information and education still reign, but e-commerce is the heir apparent.
By Staff -- Modern Materials Handling, 7/1/1999
You've heard the conventional wisdom before: From e-mail to e-commerce to education, the future of business is on the Web. If you're not on-line, you're on life support.While that may be true for companies selling consumer goods like books, CD's, and software, is it also true for materials handling suppliers?
The answer is yes, but with some qualifications.
Clearly, the Web is already having an impact on materials handling suppliers. Companies are trying to differentiate themselves by leveraging their ability to manage information and respond to customer-driven market demands, says Hal Vandiver, executive vice president of the trade association, Material Handling Industry. In the coming years, Vandiver says "The Net will play an increasing role in the industry's need to deliver more value to the consumer through Web-enabled applications and e-commerce."
Clearly, the Web's greatest impact today in materials handling is on the dissemination of information. "We all want to make educated decisions about the systems and products we need to buy," says Rick Bushnell, president of Quad II, an education and consulting firm. And that's exactly what the Web can do best for you today.
Type in the words "materials handling" in a Web search engine and you'll get more than 220 matches. "Supply chain" returns an additional 150 matches. In this context, the Web is like having the entire contents of a fabulous library at your fingertips 24 hours a day. We recently visited several on-line sites that offer a wide range of materials handling information including links to other valuable sites that would be of interest to you. Brief synopses of several leading sites start on the next page.
It's worth noting that sites offering multimedia presentations or extensive library resources often require viewing software. The most common are Adobe Acrobat for downloading documents and RealPlayer for on-line audio and video presentations. If you're comfortable downloading software, free versions of both programs are available through links at many of the materials handling Web sites discussed here.
But education is only part of the story about materials handling and the Web. There's also the matter of e-commerce and a couple of emerging applications you may not have heard of yet.
It is important to point out that few major materials handling equipment and systems suppliers are actually selling goods and services on-line today. For the most part, the exceptions are distributors of used equipment, standard replacement parts, and information technology hardware such as printers and terminals. There are some indications that standard conveyors may soon join that elite group with other types of equipment to follow suit in the not too distant future.
For most materials handling suppliers, however, e-commerce may be limited for the foreseeable future. That's because materials handling installations often involve a custom package relying on more than one vendor, says Tom Carbott, senior director of marketing, Material Handling Industry of America. "People are often looking for a systems-based solution that may require multiple areas of expertise and multiple sources. That still requires human interaction."
One area where the Net is already playing a role is in the request for quote (RFQ) process. "I'm seeing companies use the Web to streamline the bidding and proposal process," says John White III, a senior manager with Andersen Consulting in Atlanta. "They work with a consultant to figure out what they need, and then post a request for a quote on-line and ask for bids."
One materials handling related topic that has received considerable coverage lately is supply chain execution software. And initial indications are that supply chain software will add its own spin to use of the Web.
At least one supplier is offering a Web-enabled warehouse management system (WMS) and several others are said to be interested in doing the same. This is a direct outgrowth of the extra processes and additional information infrastructure needed to support a WMS.
Essentially, a Web-enabled WMS runs on the supplier's computers not on yours. Information needed to execute orders are downloaded from the WMS over the Web to managers at your company. Meanwhile, data about activities and inventory are uploaded from the warehouse to the WMS, also over the Web.
"The potential for Web-enabled systems is huge because it takes the whole issue of technology out of the equation," says Bushnell. "You don't have to worry about what kind of server you're going to use and you don't have to capitalize the cost of the equipment. With this new concept, many of the systems now in place to run a WMS at individual companies would be eliminated."
As you can see, use of the Web for materials handling equipment selection, purchase, and use is only getting started. And ideas such as posting an RFQ and Web-enabled WMS are already pushing the envelope beyond traditional education and emerging e-commerce applications.
Modern Materials Handling Online (www.mmh.com): Sure, we're blowing our own horn, but we think we're worth it. What's so great about MMH Online? Let's start with an archive of issues going back to 1995, including collections of Manufacturing Success Stories, Problem Solving Ideas, and our popular Warehouse of the Month series. On top of that, we've pulled together case studies, how-to stories, equipment reports, and Web links for popular topics like WMS, Systems & Software, and Ergonomics. You'll find the site well organized and easy to navigate. Moreover, from our site, you can click over to other Cahners sites like ADC News & Solutions (www.adcnews.com) and Manufacturing Marketplace (www.manufacturing.net), which provide news and information important to the manufacturing business sector.
Material Handling Industry Online (www. mhia.org): As the voice of the material handling and logistics industry, MHIA has created a comprehensive site with news and information you can use. Want to know how many hand chain hoists have been sold since 1987 (3,536,301), turn to the market analysis by industry sector. Wondering where you can buy a palletizer, click on the MHIA Members & Their Products. MHIA members and registered users can gain access to advanced information about next year's North American Material Handling show, conference information on-line.
Materials Handling & Management Society (www.mhia.org/mhms): The Materials Handling & Management Society is just a click away from MHIA. The society is comprised of end users of materials handling equipment. While the site is primarily for MHMS members, you can sign up on-line and access the society's huge library of technical documents. The site is so effective that last year it was credited with playing a large role in increasing membership in the organization by more than 200%.
Quad II (www.quadii.com): Founded by Rick Bushnell, Quad II focuses on the use of automatic data capture technologies. This site offers a wealth of on- line articles and recorded multimedia presentations by Bushnell on topics as varied as UPC codes to the supply chain. If Quad II doesn't have the information, you can probably find it from nearly 200 links to AIDC periodical literature, trade publications, and other related sites.
Integrated Solutions for Information Technologies (www.isit.com): ISIT is a free library designed to help buyers of information technology products. The library can help answer hardware, software and application questions about enterprise and supply chain management, automatic data capture, and systems development. The site provides background information about dozens of suppliers and lets you search for suppliers by product. Using a key word search, finding articles on almost any subject is a breeze.
BarCode 1-A Web Of Information About Bar Code (www.barcode-1.com): BarCode 1 bills itself as the "one source for bar code information." That was an understatement. The site includes everything from a history of the bar code to free shareware and demo versions of software.
AutoIdeas.Com (www.autoideas. com): AutoIdeas.com is an educational service designed for the professional who wants to stay abreast of the technology but has only a few minutes a week spare time. Sign up for IdeaMail, and once a week you'll receive practical tips, tricks, and shortcuts related to automatic data capture in your e-mail from industry veterans.
Automatic Identification Manufacturers (www.aimglobal.org): AIM, the global trade association for the automatic identification and data capture industry, has put together a well organized site that includes extensive background reports, presentations, and case studies on all related automatic data capture technologies. Of particular interest are the marketing reports that detail conditions and trends in the industry.
Materials Handling Short Course (www.doe.gatech.edu/rda): The Logistics Institute at Georgia Tech University has a well deserved reputation for offering some of the best lectures on materials handling in the country. Taught by materials handling industry luminaries like John Hill, Jim Apple, Jr., and Howard Zollinger, multimedia versions of the Materials Handling Short Course are available for free on-line to anyone with RealPlayer to watch the video and Adobe Acrobat to download the handouts. Links to the software providers are available from the Georgia Tech site.
ErgoWeb, Inc. (www.ergoweb. com): If you're in the market for ergonomics-related products, information, or training, this is your one stop. The site includes basic information on ergonomics; an on-line training course, which is available for a fee, and even a release of the 1999 OSHA Draft Ergonomics Program standard. One feature we liked a lot is the chat room, where ergonomics users can share ideas.
Warehousing Education and Research Council (www. werc.org): WERC, an association dedicated to the advancement and education of people involved in the management of warehouses and distribution facilities, publishes a magazine and newsletter for association members. While current issues are available on-line to members, back issues of the newsletter are available for free at the WERC site.
Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (www. mheda.org): MHEDA is a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to promoting material handling industry excellence through educational seminars, industry reports and discounted services and programs. This is a site geared towards MHEDA members or individuals interested in joining through the site. However, a listing of vendors by products is available to non-members.
Industrial Truck Association (www.indtrk.org): This is the home page for the trade association representing manufacturers of forklifts, tow tractors, hand-pallet trucks, and automatic guided vehicles. Of most value to MMH readers are the sites listing of ITA members by product, and the standards for various types of industrial trucks.
American Production and Inventory Control Society (www. apics.org): APICS is known as the Educational Society for Resource Management. The society provides training for certification of production and inventory management (CPIM) professionals. While a members-only section is under development, the entire site, including access to APICS magazine, symposium and certification information, and an on-line buyers guide are available for free to the public.
Pallet-Mall (www.pallet-mall. com): Pallet-Mall is a comprehensive site devoted to pallets, containers and reels. You can locate a supplier and access the latest news and articles about the industry. From Pallet-Mall, you can also jump to the home page for the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (www. nwpca. com) the international trade association representing the interests of manufacturers, recyclers and distributors of pallets, containers and reels. There you can find information on how to determine your pallet performance needs, and can access the association's library of technical publications, including publications from the Sardo Pallet and Container Research Lab at Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, Virginia.
Supply-Chain Council (www.supply-chain.org): The council is a grass roots initiative focused on maximizing supply-chain efficiencies. The site is divided into public and members only sections. For those interested, you can be come a council member on-line to access the entire site. What can non members find? Links to SCC vendors and related associations. Supply chain books are offered in conjunction with Amazon.com, allowing you to not only order, but read reviews from other readers ahead of time.
Supply Chain Link (www. supplychainlink.com): This site brings together supply chain information from Modern Materials Handling, ADC News & Solutions, and other Cahners magazines in the Supply Chain/OEM Group. It features breaking news and detailed articles as well as reports from recent trade shows. There's even a button for e-commerce with supply chain software providers.
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