2019 was a year of innovation and collaboration at Coolfire. Before we turn the page on the year, let’s take a look back at our top 5 blog posts from 2019.
1. Trucking Customers Want Visibility – Here’s How To Deliver
With real-time awareness of shipment status, supply chain partners can be proactive in finding solutions — and potentially avoid costly out-of-stock scenarios.
Out-of-stock scenarios represent significant problems that physical retailers can no longer afford. In the e-commerce era, consumers will simply move on to a competitor (often ordering the same product with same-day shipping from Amazon) — leaving the retailer with a lost sale opportunity. In response to this, retailers are increasingly levying expensive fines on suppliers that fail to meet their shipment deadlines. Even worse, they may choose to eventually shift business away from partners that can’t give them the visibility they need to remain agile. Trucking companies, in short, are left to bear the brunt of the blame when supply chain partners demand an answer to the question: What happened? Read Full Text
2. What Is The Difference Between IT and OT?
As emerging technology brings operational hardware online, the distinction between IT and OT is blurring — but what’s the difference in the first place?
What is the difference between Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT)? In short, IT deals with information, while OT deals with machines. The former manages the flow of digital information (read: data), while the latter manages the operation of physical processes and the machinery used to carry them out.
A good (though increasingly inaccurate) shorthand to represent this distinction is the office (IT) vs. the factory floor (OT). Another good (and perhaps even less accurate) juxtaposition would be that of software (IT) vs. hardware (OT). Read full text
3. Software Is The Missing Piece To Oil & Gas Digital Transformation
Low-power sensors already help monitor oil and gas operations, but the true benefit of this real-time visibility will lie in data-driven decision-making throughout the supply chain.
If there’s one rule in the oil and gas industry, it’s that companies must be ready for anything — from price changes and politics, to bad weather and worn-out equipment. At every level, companies must have accurate insight into their operations in order to make proactive and cost-effective decisions. At the same time, what defines “cost-effective” is always changing. While the price-per-barrel of oil has recovered since the staggering lows of 2016, it’s down again from earlier 2019 highs, and may not reach $100/barrel any time soon. Read Full Text
4. Managing Crises With Awareness, Control, And Response
Effective crisis management depends on optimal communication. That means focusing on awareness, control, and response.
Police, first responders, and various security officials deal with crises on a regular basis. These teams can’t afford to be blindsided, as communication breakdowns can put entire missions — and human lives — at risk. But in a crisis, communication can all-too-easily deteriorate, even for trained professionals. Panic and confusion can impair anyone’s ability to think logically, let alone determine the best course of action from among a near-infinity of choices. Read Full Text
5. Workstream Collaboration For Distributed Field Service Teams
Distributed field service teams need operational support. Workstream collaboration tools offer a powerful, integrated digital solution.
Workstream collaboration has caught the attention of CIOs across industries. Unfortunately, many of the existing tools on the market fall short of supporting the needs of the employees who can benefit from collaboration solutions most — distributed field service teams. If the correct tools are implemented, workstream collaboration could be the key to success for these frontline workers. Read Full Text
