Made in the USA
technology of FedEx and analyze them using Microsoft’ssuite of AI, machine learning and analytics solutions. Thiswill provide businesses with enhanced visibility of a package’s location during its journey, as well as knowledge ofglobal commerce conditions and external challenges in near-real-time, such as severe weather or natural disasters, mechanical delays, clearance issues, and incorrect addresses.
Blockchain Proven Effective forData Sharing in Retail IndustryAstudy conducted by the Auburn University RFID Lab, in collaboration with GS1 US, confirmed that a blockchain network was capable of sharing item-level data encoded in RFID tags between participating companies in the study.
The organizations completed a proof-of-concept project called CHIP (Chain Integration Project) that demonstrates the effectiveness ofblockchain and radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies to improve serialized data sharing in the retail industry.
Participating companies included: Nike,PVH, Herman Kay, Macy’s, Kohl’s, Mojix,Avery Dennison, SML, IBM and Collaboration LLC.
The researchers examined the exchangeof serialized product data between pairedbrands and retailers. The findings confirmedthat a blockchain network was capable ofsharing item-level data encoded in RFIDtags between the participants.
According to the study, the automationof serialized product data exchange usingblockchain can potentially eliminate theneed for human audits and counting, increasing the productivity and efficiency ofthe retail supply chain.
As documented in Project Zipper, Au-
burn’s precursor project to CHIP, the pres-
ence of serialized data in the supply chain
has grown rapidly as more brands adopt
RFID tags and infrastructure to collect
information on individual items flowing
through their facilities. However, industry
stakeholders reported poor item-level visi-
bility due to a lack of data sharing. CHIP
Auburn’s RFID Lab plans a follow-up pilot study, focus-
ing on the financial implications of data exchange automa-
tion. Participants and researchers will more specifically test
how a blockchain-based, serialized data solution can help
eliminate claims and chargebacks that occur between brands
and retailers.
Supply Chain Stabilization TaskForce Created to Fight COVID-19
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services created a Supply Chain Stabilization Task Force, one ofeight COVID-19 focused task forces under the National Response Coordination Center (NRCC).
This task force, which is tasked with closing the gap betweenwhat the private sector is able to provide to healthcare end-users and what is needed for the fight against COVID, is takinga “whole-of-America approach” to address limited supply ofcritical protective and life-saving equipment.
The task force’s primary effort is the sourcing of personalprotective equipment (PPE), ventilators and other critical resources requested by states, tribes and territories. In addition,the task force is engaging manufacturers, distributors andhealthcare networks to build the next phase of supply chainstabilization.
The strategy is being executed through a four-pronged ap-
proach—preservation, acceleration, allocation and expan-
sion—to accelerate and expand the pipeline of medical sup-
plies and equipment.
To more effectively adjudicate resources throughout thenation and private industry, a National Resource PrioritizationCell was established to unify government and private industry prioritization recommendations which will inform federal,state and private sector operations.
Unilever Announces SweepingSupply Chain Measures to FightClimate ChangeConsumer packaged goods giant Unilever has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions from all of its products by 2039, including how it sources materials and up tothe point of sale of products in the store. The company willwork with farmers to implement programs that protect andrestore forests, soil and biodiversity, and it will work withgovernments and other organizations to improve access towater for communities in water-stressed areas.
Unilever explained that its existing science-based targetsare to have no carbon emissions from its own operations andto halve the GHG footprint of its products across the valuechain, by 2039.To achieve this goal 11 years ahead of the2050 Paris Agreement deadline, the company will prioritize
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FEMA
