Logistics is very much a part of the art world especially in online art marketplaces that connect customers to various types of independent artists. Apparently, managing and controlling the flow of artworks from point of origin to various locations across the globe have challenges of their own. Jennifer Daniel, who oversees all outbound and inbound shipping for online market place Redbubble, relates her experience as head of global logistics as similar to cooking — that of needing to adapt if things do not go exactly as desired.
According to Ms. Daniel, flexibility in the art market is vital as priorities could shift any time. There are about 300,000 independent artists relying on Redbubble to sell and ship their artistic creations to customers located in different parts of the world.
Although Redbubble started out by using mostly postal services for standard shipments, they came to understand that not all postal networks in other parts of the world are as fast or as reliable as parcel companies. In order to help independent artists like graphic designers, photography artists and creators of fine arts make money, they had to cut costs and to shorten the 3-5 day shipment period down to overnight delivery.
Moreover, this San Francisco-based virtual market place had to be forward looking, it was important for them to hook up with strong shipping carriers. Ms. Daniel said that in Europe, delivery services tend to be unreliable, but they found one in Germany that met Redbubble’s shipping standards. Since then, the business relationship has extended in several European locations.
Redbubble’s shipping challenges only show that the art industry takes into considerations the quality and costs of the supply chain. That way, they can maintain a creative environment; particularly for independent artists who are still struggling to achieve success in their chosen professions. In order to do so, they pull together more information that allows them to understand the related costs and the factors that drive them.
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Logistics after all is also an art form, mainly involved in the integration of real time information of the supply chain in managing transportation, handling, packaging and warehousing of inventory.
Trucking Management Software can Help Freight Carriers Meet Different Shipping Standards
On their part, freight carriers nowadays are aware that shippers set standards when looking to partner with service providers, not only to ensure reliable services but also to control financial costs. Most trucking operators who meet such standards are those who use trucking management software. Doing so gives them the capability to view the progression of shipment orders, whilst monitoring their trucks and driver compliance. Some even integrate truck driver software that generates reports on driver loads and related payments.
As logistics deals a lot with information, comprehensive reporting is essential. A useful trucking software feature is one that allows a trucking firm to exported information to shipping agents via Excel or CVS making it easier for shippers to view the information they need.