Did you know - Who invented Barcode ? https://lnkd.in/gjYGyAyx Norman Joseph Woodland: As a fellow IBM employee, he patented the first barcode concept in 1952, based on Morse code. His early idea laid the groundwork for the technology. George Laurer: As an IBM engineer, he led the development of the UPC in the early 1970s, designing the specific coding and pattern used for the symbol. He also developed the necessary scanning technology to read the UPCs.

Six billion. That's how many times a barcode is scanned every day around the globe. Introduced in 1973, this simple set of lines was our answer to a major industry challenge. It streamlined checkouts, transformed inventory management, and paved the way for the data-rich supply chains we rely on today. Hear more insights from our Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna in the latest episode of Smart Talks: https://ibm.co/6046BzSlw

From Barcodes to Digital Product Passports Reinventing Transparency for the Next 50 Years Six billion times a day, a barcode is scanned somewhere around the world a simple IBM invention that transformed global commerce, streamlined checkouts, and redefined supply chain visibility. Today, we stand on the next frontier of that same journey the Digital Product Passport (DPP). Where barcodes once enabled traceability, DPPs will enable transparency connecting every product to its digital twin, revealing its origin, materials, manufacturing journey, resale, and end-of-life pathway. At IBM, we are proud to continue this legacy of innovation. Through our Product 4.0 initiatives and partnerships across industry and ecosystem (GS1, CGF, Fabacus, and others), we are building the next generation of intelligent, data-rich supply chains powered by AI, open standards, and trust. The barcode changed the world. The Digital Product Passport will change how we understand it. Elaine Andrew Lars Nikolai Darrell Dee Luq Kate Angela Peter Matthew Luke Jérôme Kim Maryann Ruediger Trevor Ralitza Nina Iliana #DigitalProductPassport #Product40 #SupplyChain #AI #Innovation #IBM #Sustainability #Transparency

I recently did a webinar where I discussed Baxter's unique cost-optimization approach to determining target stock levels for field service inventory. Most planning tools have a service level target, but how do you know what that service level goal should be? Usually service level goals are a "gut feel" for what's right for your business. The Baxter difference? The BaxterPredict platform uniquely tells you what your service level should be to minimize the combination of operational and inventory costs, which is a true optimization approach to service parts planning.

Our client was spending £50k annually on manual supply chain processes. Then we introduced automation. Now they're saving 40% in operational costs with: • 70% faster order processing • 99.9% accuracy in inventory tracking • Real-time supplier coordination The result was more than just savings. They've scaled their capacity without adding headcount. When was the last time you reviewed your supply chain efficiency?

🟣 How can retailers truly optimize their inventory levels? Balancing availability, cost, and customer experience has never been more complex. In our latest article, we explore proven strategies for effective inventory management - from AI-driven demand forecasting and real-time visibility, to scenario planning and collaborative supply chain ecosystems. ✔️ Discover how leading retailers are shifting from reactive to predictive operations - leveraging technology, data, and cross-functional alignment to build resilience and profitability. ☑️ At re:innovation, we believe optimization is not just about efficiency - it’s about clarity, agility, and long-term value creation. 👉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eUUkJFCF

🎙 The latest episode of The Inventory Edge is here! This week we sit down with Sandeep Gupta, a global supply chain leader with 30+ years of experience across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and India. From uncovering why retail supply chain transformations fail to exposing the hidden costs of inventory and the role of augmented intelligence (“data on steroids”), Sandeep brings sharp insights into the future of retail and inventory management. Don’t miss this conversation packed with lessons for retailers and supply chain leaders everywhere. 👉 https://lnkd.in/emWh8BQH #TheInventoryEdge #SupplyChain #InventoryManagement #RetailInnovation

For a growing brand, inventory demand forecasting isn’t just a spreadsheet task—it’s your roadmap to profitability and customer loyalty. The stakes are high: 👉 Overestimate Demand: You tie up valuable cash flow in unsold goods, leading to potential obsolescence and packaging waste. 👉 Underestimate Demand: You face frustrating stockouts, missed sales opportunities, and a loss of customer trust. Inventory forecasting is the process that bridges this gap, helping you optimize production, plan your packaging reorders, and confidently navigate seasonal spikes. Let's dive in: https://lnk.epac.fyi/jHEO #flexiblepackaging #inventoryforecasting #cpgbrand

Everyone says RFID transforms warehouses.  Then why do so many implementations fail to deliver expected ROI? Over the years, I have seen countless operations teams face the same issue.  They know RFID could solve their problems, but they're overwhelmed by where to start. Here's the 6-step framework I use with operations managers to cut through the noise: 1. Map your biggest business fire first 2. Interview your frontline teams about daily frustrations 3. Quantify the financial impact of each pain point 4. Rank objectives by quick win potential versus business urgency 5. Start with automated picking verification (gives you measurable ROI fastest) 6. Build momentum before tackling the transformational stuff What this gives you: Clear visibility into which RFID objective will actually impact your bottom line Stakeholder buy-in where it matters most (your frontline teams) Why it works: You sequence rollout for maximum impact with minimum operational disruption Starting with accuracy beats chasing "full supply chain visibility" on day one The hardest truth? Most teams already know what needs fixing. They just get paralysed by trying to solve everything at once. One ops manager told me recently, "We spent months planning this massive transformation. Should have just fixed our picking accuracy first. Everything else fell into place after that." Have I got this right, or does anyone else have something they would include in the framework?

Great operators don’t forecast perfectly, they're able to adapt faster. No manual spreadsheets, reliable real-time data and support from Mo 👀. With automated demand planning we help high-growth brands stay ahead as sales channels shift, promos hit, or supply timelines stretch. Our latest guide breaks down how to build systems that forecast, plan, and adapt in real time, with hands-on examples: ✅ Planning BFCM inventory when supply is already locked ✅ Forecasting a new product launch with zero historical data ✅ Managing B2C channels with fragmented data ✅ Prepping for supply chain risks before they hit Plus, a 7-step framework for moving from manual forecasting to automated planning with Moselle. It’s worth a read if you’re scaling 👉 https://lnkd.in/gYFBmaC6