Electronic Logistics - The Money Saving Solutions

The concept of conventional logistics covers all activities relating to the procurement, transport, transhipment and storage of goods. Logistics as generally understood is concerned particularly with material flow (raw materials, interim and final products), but also involves providing companies with services and information.

Nowadays the development of electronic information and communication technologies affects all spheres of life. Naturally, it influences significantly...

Keywords:

freight, e-logistics, shipping, trucking, freight companies, freightage rates, carriers, freightage

Article Body:

The concept of conventional logistics covers all activities relating to the procurement, transport, transhipment and storage of goods. Logistics as generally understood is concerned particularly with material flow (raw materials, interim and final products), but also involves providing companies with services and information.

Nowadays the development of electronic information and communication technologies affects all spheres of life. Naturally, it influences significantly economic life, including logistics. As a result, nowadays it is possible to speak about electronic logistics as extremely perspective field for further development.

On researching the problem of electronic logistics, it is primarily necessary to dwell upon the methods that are traditionally used in the related researches. Basically, it is possible to use phone inquiry, face-to-face interviews with companies implementing electronic logistics in their business. Also it is possible to interview management consultants and IT suppliers.

Obviously, nowadays electronic information and communication technologies are widely used in the field of logistics. As a rule, it is widely used in buying and selling transactions, as well as material follow transactions. It is necessary to point out that logistics services providers use electronic logistics wider than companies operating in the field of manufacturing and trade.

In the current a situation, the advantages of electronic logistics are evident since it creates new operating models that provides a company with a competitive advantage compared to the companies using conventional logistics. It also permits to develop efficient management of larger entities and correct information in constantly changing market situation.

Nonetheless, it is necessary to emphasize that electronic logistics is a relatively new field and it makes its first steps in the contemporary business. In such a situation, certain obstacles and challenges, the companies implementing electronic logistics face, are quite natural. Among these obstacles and challenges may be singled out the following: scarce financial resources for investments, lack of capabilities of network parties, lack of standards, challenges in integrating inter-company information systems.

However, electronic logistics is still quite popular due to the perspective of business process re-engineering skills, since it provides the possibility to use technologies to support business processes.

Thus, electronic logistics is a very perspective field that needs further research in order to provide better opportunities to its proper implementing and wide use.

Cost Saving Trade Show Exhibits for the Growing Company

In order to achieve a company’s new image while keeping a handle on its budget, a good interim step for a firm that wants major attention at a key trade show is a custom modular trade show display that has the "look and feel" of a high-end custom build but at a substantial cost saving.

Keywords:

trade show, trade show exhibit, trade show display, custom modular exhibits, trade show booth

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As an early stage startup company matures, the image that was right for the times four years ago as an “up & comer” is often no longer appropriate. This emerging business now needs a more mainstream image to convey its strong new corporate identity.

The transition to a mainstream image necessitates not only a change in identity but also a change in trade show exhibit presence. Early on, portable pop up exhibits at trade shows worked. But with a company's mounting success it now needs an image that reflects its solid business stature as a true leader in its field. However, before being tempted to leap into a major investment in a custom build mega trade show exhibit, there is a practical intermediate step.

In order to achieve a company’s new image while keeping a handle on its budget, a good interim step for a firm that wants major attention at a key trade show is a custom modular trade show display that has the "look and feel" of a high-end custom build but at a substantial cost saving.

In terms of projecting awareness, the custom modular exhibit succeeds in reinforcing a company’s new prestigious image while reducing the operating costs associated with a custom build by 75%. The custom modular exhibit saves not only on the design and productions costs of a custom construction but also on such expenses as drayage, shipping, installation and dismantling.

Additionally, the configuration of the exhibit is expandable into a variety of spaces -- including a 10x20, 20x20, 20x30 or larger to scale with a company’s growth, enabling them to service large and small trade shows alike.

As the growing company moves into a stepped up trade show venture, it can benefit from an experienced trade show exhibit design and construction company. The company’s display team should be able to work seamlessly with a professional exhibit design firm to determine and meet key trade show deadlines and assembly demands.

Keeping costs on target should be a top priority for the expanding company. Before venturing into a top-end custom build spectacular, there’s good logic in taking an appropriate next stage exhibit step. For comparison, here are seven cost savings benefits of a custom modular vs. custom exhibit:

1. Less shipping and drayage expense:
The 75% lighter weight custom modular exhibit keeps shipping and drayage costs in line with a trade show exhibit designed with less weight and compact packing.
2. Reduction of trade show storage costs:
75% fewer crates reduces storage costs substantially.
3. Lower labor costs due to ease of setup:
A smaller crew is needed so less time is required to install and dismantle exhibit.
4. Less Refurbishing required:
Panels can be removed from the crate by hand reducing the amount of potential damage to the display. A forklift never touches a panel keeping trade show related repair costs at a minimum.
5. Flexibility:
The versatile custom modular unit facilitates expanding or reducing trade show exhibit space without adding a variety of expensive components.
6. Quality of Trade Show Exhibit Consistency:
Interchangeable panels and components built the same way every time to strict quality standards save costs and time.
7. Potential 10% reduction in cost of production and reduced design time:

The majority of trade show design elements could be pre-engineered which reduces the time to build and money spent in production.

Custom modular exhibits are increasing in popularity as the next stage exhibit option in the trade show industry because they offer designs that create tremendous impact, ease of use and cost savings. Smart companies are looking to succeed in trade show exposure while properly managing the balance between dramatic exposure and disciplined cost constraints.

Dick Wheeler is President of Professional Exhibits & Graphics, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. The firm is a full-service premiere trade show exhibit, graphics and management services company. For additional information, go to www.proexhibits.com.
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