Organizations.
- ASCM The Association for Supply Chain Management. The organization formerly known as the "The Educational Society for Resource Management" and before that APICS the "American Production and Inventory Control Society". Educational organization for purchasing, production management, inventory management, supply chain management. Despite the identity crisis, this is a must see site for anyone involved with manufacturing and distribution.
- Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC) Educational organization for warehousing and distribution management.
- Institute for Supply Management (ISM). Formerly known as National Association of Purchasing Management (NAPM).
- Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA).
- National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)
- Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) Formerly known as the Council of Logistics Management
- SOLE - The International Society of Logistics Formerly the Society of Logistics Engineers, SOLE is a " non-profit international professional society composed of individuals organized to enhance the art and science of logistics technology, education and management"
- International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA) . Third party logistics organization. Good place to start if you're looking for public or contract warehouses.
- International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) The association for transport packaging.
- Association For Manufacturing Excellence (AME). Knowledge of manufacturing is critical if you are managing inventory in a manufacturing environment. This site maintains extensive links to manufacturing information pages.
- Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE).
- Distribution Business Management Association
- Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME).
- American Society for Quality (ASQ)
- American Institute of Baking (AIB) Certification, inspection, educational organization for the food industry.
- American Sanitation Institute (ASI) Food safety audits and education.
- FPA SAFE Supplier auditing organization for the food industry.
- American Management Association (AMA)
- Project Management Institute (PMI)
- International Import Export Institute.
- Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS)
- Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP)
- Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG)
- GS1 Barcode standards including UPC.
- Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) If you've never been to this site or haven't visited in a couple of years I strongly suggest spending some time here. OSHA has greatly improved the information available here including adding training materials. Anyone involved in lift truck training, plant safety, and fire safety should set some time aside to visit this site.
- Department of Transportation (DOT) Like the OSHA site the DOT site has greatly improved over the years. Good source of information on transportation safety regulations and hazardous materials management.
- International Trade Administration Very informative government site related to international trade (importing/exporting).
- National Institute of Standards and Technology
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) As with the other regulatory agency's sites, the EPA site offers extensive information on regulatory issues.
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) If you are responsible for a warehouse you need to be aware of fire codes. These are the guys that write the code.
- International Code Council (ICC) The consolidation of several building code organizations (BOCA, ICBO, SBCCI).
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
- National Safety Council (NSC)
- American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)
Forums/Communities/Q&A
If you have a question or would like to participate in web forums dedicated to inventory management and warehouse operations I have included several links below. I've been watching these forums for over a decade and have to say things look rather dismal. Many forums have died and gone away, and those still around have very little participation. I recommend looking at previously asked questions first as often the same question has already been addressed. I also recommend full participation, which means if you ask a question, you should also try to answer someone else's question. Come on ...you must know something.
Update: Wow, I used to have numerous sites listed here, these are the only ones that still remain.
- ForkliftAction.com's Forums. There are some great threads here related to lift trucks and the material handling industry. You do not need to register to view the threads, but you do to post a reply or start a new topic.
- Industry Community Forums. Directory of forums on specific topics related to manufacturing.
- Ask Me Help Desk. Easy navigation, allows searches across topics. .
Trade Publications.
Many of the trade publications web sites maintain article archives that can be searched. They also are good resource for finding info on trade shows, seminars, and educational courses. Most of the magazines listed offer free subscriptions with online registration..
- DC Velocity Publication focused on issues related to managing distribution operations. Everything from inventory management strategies to information systems, transportation issues, and material handling equipment.
- Modern Materials Handling I'd call this is the granddaddy of material handling/warehousing magazines. MMH has been publishing articles on material handling and related topics since before many of us were born.
- Material Handling Product News All ads, all the time. Although some ads are lightly disguised as "news" this publication is simply an extended advertisement section focusing on material handling equipment. Good source for keeping up on the types of products available for material handling.
- Parcel . Nice little publication focusing on operational issues of interest to small-package shippers.
- Material Handling & Logistics
- SupplyChainDigest On-line newsletter.
- Modern Distribution Management Newsletter for the wholesale distribution channel.
- Logistics Management
- SupplyChain Management Review
- Speech Technology Magazine
- Industrial Distribution Magazine.
- Plant Engineering Magazine
- Assembly Magazine
- Food Logistics
- New Equipment Digest Another "all ads, all the time" magazine. Good source for information on maintenance/material handling/automation equipment and MRO supplies.
- Compliance Magazine Magazine dedicated to workplace safety and compliance issues.
General Informational Sites
Here's another category that lost a lot of sites over time.
- Activity Based Costing Portal. Great site for info on ABC.
- Max's Project Management Wisdom. Great site on project management. I specifically enjoyed Max's Musings , a collection of insightful articles written by Max Wideman. Site also includes a project management glossary.
- Decision Tree for Optimization Software. This section of the Arizona State University site has a great set of organized links to sites related to optimization, linear and non-linear programming.
Inventory Management
- Visit my articles page for more inventory management information.
Information Technology.
Also see Software Sites Listing
- CIO.com You don't have to be an IT exec. to appreciate this site. Well organized structure makes it easy to find info on just about any IT related topic. Site includes an extensive collection of content-rich articles from CIO magazine and other sources.
- TechRepublic.
- IT Toolbox Supply Chain. Very well organized site focused on supply chain information technology. Site allows visitors to post online reviews of software packages and consultants (I didn't see any reviews posted).
- SourceForge.net Interested in Open Source software (a.k.a. Free)? SourceForge.net is "the world's largest Open Source development website".
- Accounting Software 411. Definitely more than just accounting software here. The site maintains a comprehensive database of software packages. You can select several package and compare features. Also maintains a message board for each software package (currently not a lot of messages on most packages but still a great idea).
- Small Business Computing.com Good source for tech info for small business.
- TechnologyEvaluation.com Products for evaluating ERP and SCM software products
- Information Week
- SupplyChainIT.com A collection of news related to supply chain information technology
Manufacturing.
- Essentials of Lean Manufacturing by Strategos Excellent site on lean manufacturing.
- Business Industrial Network. This site does stray a little from the scope of "inventory operations", however, I decided to include it due to its extensive content. The primary focus of the site is related to PLCs. So for those responsible for plant automation and maintenance, this is a great site.
Auto ID/Barcode/Voice/RFID/Data Collection.
Also see RF/Bar Code/Data Collection Manufacturers Links, Bar Code Books , Article on ADC, and Article on RFID.
- AIM Global Network. Automatic data collection and data capture information.
- RFID Journal If you have a serious interest in RFID, I suggest checking out the RFID Journal. The site has a great FAQ page, RFID glossary, and detailed vendor listing. Some of the content (articles, case studies) requires paid subscription.
- VoicePicking.com Site focusing on using voice technology in order picking.
- MobileInfo.com Information on wireless technologies.
- HowStuffWorks How UPC Bar Codes Work Nice tutorial on UPC bar code
- HowStuffWorks How RFID Smart Labels Will Work Great tutorial on RFID and Smart Labels
- Accuracybook.com's Bar code, Speech, RFID, technology Links
Warehousing/Material Handling.
Also see Articles Page
- Interactive Warehouse. Interactive site which lets you set up a warehouse, create an order and let the system design the best picking route. Also gives info on the various methods for picking the best route and the effect warehouse design has on routing software.
- ForkliftAction.com If you're in the lift truck industry or just have an interest in lift trucks, this is a great site. Site includes discussion forums, industry news, directories, used equipment marketplace, and a whole lot more.
Transportation and Logistics
- Logistics Network. Great site for finding info on transportation. Check out the Practical Guide for on-line excerpts from the book which can be purchased through this site.
- Logistic Services Buyers Guide Find transportation services, public warehouses, etc
- Leonard's Guide Online and print directories for Trucking Companies, Air Cargo, Third-Party Logistics, and Public Warehouses.
- Container Handbook Excellent online guide for everything related to ocean containers. The containers, the ships, the history, how to secure loads, etc. Also see Transport-Informations -Service for additional container info. I believe both these sites are provided by the German Insurance Association.
Quality
- John Grout's Mistake-Proofing Center. Very good independent site focusing on mistake-proofing/Poka-Yoke. Site includes examples and glossary of terms.
Business: General
- ARC Advisory Group These are the guys you see regularly quoted in the trades on issues related to market research, best practices, technology application, etc. They provide many services including subscription based information services and also provide some free reports and white papers online.
- Great Systems. Good independent site on organizational improvement and leadership.
- AuditNet. Good info on auditing.
Reference.
Also see Inventoryops Dictionary/Glossary
- tsnn.com Trade show search site.
Safety/Compliance
Also see my articles on Lift Truck Safety, Loading Dock Safety, and Ergonomics. Buy the book
- OSHA
- National Safety Council Safety posters, publications, software, and training materials.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- ANSI web store Source for information on building codes/fire codes..
- SafetySmart.com Safety educational materials.
- JJ Keller and Associates, Inc. Training kits, compliance manuals, video, cd-rom, books
- Forklift Safety Training Services, Inc
- LiftTruck.com Forklift safety products
- ErgoWeb Ergonomics news, info, products.
- Online MSDS Online managing and tracking of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
- Mastery Technology Safety Training Products
- Safety Advantage
- Digital-2000 Safety Training Products
- Safety Video
- ERI Safety Videos
- BRight Training & Safety Wear. Workplace Safety Trainers & Consultants..
- The Training Network Safety videos, presentations, manuals, kits.
- Victor House Publications Various safety program materials.
- SafetyVideoDirect.com Safety Videos
- SafetyVideosnow.com Safety Videos.
Equipment Sites:
Equipment (Lift Trucks).
Also see Lift Truck Pics and my article on Lift Truck Basics for information on types of vehicles.
- Raymond Corporation Full line of lift trucks including specialty trucks
- Crown Equipment Corp Full line of lift trucks including specialty trucks
- Yale Materials Handling Corporation Full line of lift trucks including specialty trucks
- Caterpillar Lift Trucks Full line of lift trucks including specialty trucks
- Toyota Forklifts Full line of lift trucks
- Clark Material Handling Company
- Mitsubishi Forklifts
- Landoll Corporation. Specialty VNA (very narrow aisle) trucks (Drexel, Bendi and PivotMast)
- Narrow Aisle Inc. Specialty VNA truck (Flexi)
- Jungheinrich Full line of lift trucks including VNA.
- Ellwell-Parker Large capacity lift trucks.
- Aisle-Master Specialty LPG VNA (very narrow aisle) truck similar to the electric Bendi.
- Airtrax Inc.Formerly manufactured an omni-directional forklift. Basically this forklift can move in any direction, you really need to see it for yourself.
- Cushman Industrial vehicles
- Cascade Corporation. Lift Truck attachments, forks, accessories. Lots of info, specs, graphics.
- Superior Engineering, Inc. Lift truck attachments
- Liftomatic Lift Truck attachments for drum handling.
- Meijer Special Equipment Lift truck attachments including telescopic forks, height shift systems, and weighing forks. I had never heard of telescopic forks or height shift systems until I got an email from these guys. I can certainly see some uses for this type of equipment.
- Anver Corporation. Vacuum Lifting Equipment including vacuum attachments for lift trucks.
Equipment (Storage Systems-Racking).
Also see Racking Pics or go to SJF's Pallet Rack Identification Guide to identify a specifc design of rack
- Steel King Industries, Inc. Very good site, lots of info and specs.
- Interlake Mecalux Inc.
- Lyon Workspace Products
- SpaceRak
- Unarco
- Speedrack
- Ridg-U-Rak
- Mecalux
- FlexRack
- Keneco, Inc. Carton flow rack
- Tier-Rack Portable pallet stacking frames.
- Unex Manufacturing. Manufacturers of Span-Trak. Converts pallet rack to carton flow rack
- Penco Products. Shelving, racking, lockers.
- J&L Wire Products. Wire decking for pallet rack
- Nashville Wire Products Wire decking and containers
- Worldwide Material Handling Rack and other products, also offers Rack Repair parts and services
Equipment (Material Handling Systems, Conveyor, ASRS, AGV, Carousels).
Also check my Conveyor Pics and Automated Equipment Pics pages..
- Hytrol Conveyor Company, Inc.
- Roll-A-Way Conveyors.
- Automotion Conveyor Systems.
- Roach Conveyors
- Best Conveyors
- Cornerstone Automation Systems Conveyor and automation systems
- Rapid Industries Overhead conveyors
- Southern Systems Inc. Heavy duty conveyors including overhead and towline
- Ryson International, Inc. Specialty conveyors
- Dematic. ASRS, AGV, and automated conveyor systems
- Interlake Mecalux Inc. ASRS, Carousels
- Amerden Automated Guided Vehicles If you wondered how much those automated guided vehicles cost, these guys actually list price ranges. Good idea!
- Corecon Automated Guided Vehicles
- Seegrid Corporation AGVs
- Loading Automation, Inc. Automated trailer loading/unloading equipment.
- White Systems Carousels
- Remstar Carousels
- Diamond Phoenix Carousels
- Hanel Storage Systems Vertical Carousels and Lift Modules
- Langley. Lifts, and custom material handling equipment
- Sandvik Sorting Systems
- SI Systems Automated A-Frame Order Picking Machines and Pick-to-light systems.
- Knapp Logistics & Automation Automated material handling equipment including Automated Picking Machines, Robotic Material Handling Equipment,Conveyor Systems, and Sortation Systems.
- LTW Systems ASRS Stacker Cranes
Equipment (Misc.)
Also see my Dock Equipment Pics Page
- Blue Giant Loading Dock Equipment Good site, lots of information including safety info.
- Rite-Hite Loading Dock Equipment
- McGuire Loading Dock Equipment
- Serco Loading Dock Equipment
- Nova Technology Loading Dock Equipment
- Pioneer Manufacturing, Inc. Loading Dock Equipment
- Nordock Loading Dock Equipment
- Chase Equipment Dock Equipment and Scissor Lifts.
- Fen-Bay Services Loading bay equipment.
- DL Manufacturing Company produces some clever, inexpensive, dock safety devices including the Smart Chock, Safety Signal, Versa Light, and Pallet Bumper.
- GMR Safety Provides an interesting wheel chock variation.
- Loading Automation Automated trailer loading and other loading systems.
- Keith Walking Floor Automated trailer loading system.
- Shockwatch Impact alarms and other damage-prevention and safety devices..
- I.D. Systems Vehicle monitoring systems
- Mettler Toledo Scales, counting scales, floor scales etc.
- Express Cube Dimensioning and weighing equipment.
- Cubiscan Dimensioning equipment.
- SkidWeigh Scale attachments for lift trucks.
- Wildeck, Inc. Manufacturer of mezzanines, vertical lift equipment, rack guards, equipment guards, and other protective equipment.
- Steele Solutions Inc. Mezzanines and related equipment
- Rehrig Pacific. Plastic crates, containers, pallets.
- Stratis Plastic Pallets.
- Southworth Products Lift tables, tilt tables, lift carts.
- Autoquip Corporation. Lift tables, tilt tables, turntables, freight lifts.
- ECOA Industrial Products Lift tables, tilt tables, turn tables, loading docks.
- Anver Corporation. Vacuum Lifting Equipment.
- AeroGo Move your product on a cushion of air.
- Perlin Casters. Casters, wheels and related equipment.
- GNB Technologies. Manufacturers of Champion maintenance free batteries and GNB chargers. I've used these maintenance free batteries on lift trucks and was very impressed.
- BHS Battery Handling Systems.
- Minuteman International, Inc. Manufacturer of industrial cleaning equipment (sweepers, scrubbers)
- Tennant Floor cleaning equipment
- Mouse Cart Stock cart/scooter. Looks like fun.
- Segway Manufacturers of the HT (Human Transporter) formerly known as "it" or "ginger". While I don't think this device will change the world in any meaningful way I can see its potential applications in warehouses and industrial settings.
- AutoCrib. Marketed as "point of use dispensing systems", these are essentially vending machines designed for controlling tools and consumables in industrial environments.
Equipment (Bar Code, RF, Data Collection, )
For more info Auto Id Information links, InventoryOps Bookshelf, and
- Intermec Technologies Corporation Portable Terminals, RF Data Collection
- SSE Technologies
- Worth Data Hardware and Software
- Videx Small portable data collection devices
- Zebra Technologies Zebra started with barcode printers, but have since grown (through acquiring everyone elxe) to include portable devices and even robots.
- Sato Bar Code Printers
- Tharo Bar code printers and software
- RFGen Integration tools for portable devices.
- Vocollect Voice technology solutions for inspection, quality assurance, order picking, putaway. At Frontline Solutions Expo 2001, Vocollect was the only vendor I saw that had a wearable computer designed specifically for voice systems (nice compact system). Other vendors offered a standard handheld computer modified for use for voice (basically a large handheld terminal in a fanny pack) and called it a "wearable system". Shame on them.
- Voxware Integrates voice recognition software/hardware into logistics, manufacturing, distribution.
- Tagsys RFID products.
- William Frick & Co RFID tags, Barcode labels and tags.
- More automated data collection links available at Accuracybook.com's AIDC links pages.
Other Sources of Product Information Various directories of equipment manufacturers
- ThomasNet (Formerly Thomas Register)
- Manufacturing Marketplace
- MacRae's Blue Book
- Material Handling Headquarters
- NewEquipment.com
- Industrial Quick Search
- Logistic Services Buyers Guide Find transportation services, public warehouses, etc.
Software Sites:
Note: Since it's not always easy to classify software packages I suggest you look through all of the categories. You may find some of the listings under ERP are just manufacturing or accounting packages and there may be some listings under manufacturing that have ERP capabilities. There are also various miscellaneous software packages scattered through these listings. I can't possibly maintain a comprehensive listing of business software so I instead choose to list some of the big players as well as an assortment of smaller, less expensive packages, and some just because they're interesting. Also be aware the software industry is constantly changing and I don't particularly have the time or interest in keeping up with all the consolidation, renaming, etc.
Software (ERP systems).
- Compiere Free (sort of) open source ERP/CRM solution. Targeting small to mid-sized distribution and service organizations, Compiere is an open source ERP and CRM solution. If you're disgusted with ERP licensing fees, have some internal I.S. expertise, and an adventurous spirit, you may be a candidate for an open source solution. Compiere does offer fee-based support but there is no obligation to use it. If you are interested in other open source projects check out SourceForge.net. One catch here is that it appears that Compiere is is built on a commercial database (not free), therefore you would end up with some licensing fees.
- webERP Another open source ERP system, and this one looks like it really is Free. webERP is browser-based ERP system built on PHP and MySQL.
- JD Edwards Enterprise Software
- SAP SAP R/3 and mySAP
- American Software
- Oracle. ERP and everything else.
- PeopleSoft.
- Syspro
- QAD MFG/PRO software
- Harris Data Enterprise software for mid-sized manufacturers and distributors.
- ProfitKey. ERP
- Great Plains Software Offering enterprise solutions for midmarket business. The acquisition of Great Plains by Microsoft has the potential of creating a high end business management solution with broad availability to small and mid-sized business. This will be one to keep an eye on.
- Seradex ERP for make-to-order, engineer-to-order, and project-based businesses.
- Catalpa Systems Core2 ERP software
- Deacom ERP for manufacturing.
- SMC Data Systems
- NetSuite. Hosted web-based ERP products for various sized companies.
- Ezijobz Software. ERP for small to mid-sized manufacturers. Includes pricing!!!
- Manufacturing Action Group Inc. ERP/MRP software for small to mid sized businesses. Includes pricing!!!
- Sage Software offers several ERP systems for small to mid-sized business including MAS 90, MAS 2000, Platinum, and Best Enterprise.
- WinMan Windows based ERP for small to mid sized manufacturers
- Xdata Solutions. ERP focusing on make-to-order
Software (Inventory Management/Warehouse Management Systems)
Also read my article Warehouse Management Systems .
- Blue Yonder formerly Red Prairie
- Majure Data Makers of RF Navigator WMS
- Manhattan Associates Supply chain management products including PkMS and Logistics Pro
- Geneva Systems WMS, Distribution, and Shop Floor Control software for small to midsize operations.
- Crimson Software CrimsonWMS.
- Robocom Systems International Makers of RIMS WMS
- Warepak/400 WMS
- 3PLCentral WMS for 3PLs.
- SmartTurn WMS for small to mid-sized companies provided as a hosted system.
- Kare Technologies Makers of Visual Warehouse WMS.
- DFA DLOC+ Warehouse management software.
- Made4net Warehousing and transportation-related software.
- WISE Warehousing software
- Executron Development Corporation. Makers of P.I.M.S (Professional Inventory Management System) software.
- ASCTrac WMS software
- Bar Control Inventory Management Systems
- HighJump Software. Supply Chain and WMS software
- Acatech Solutions, Inc. WMS software.
- AGI Worldwide WMS software (hosted or traditional install).
- ScanLink Corp. Automated data collection software.
- Teklynx Software Solutions. Automated data collection software
- Almyta Systems. Low-cost inventory control software for small to mid-sized businesses.
- Dynamic Control Software Low-cost inventory control software.
- Crysanth. Low-cost accounting and inventory management software.
- Advanced Barcode Technology low-cost barcode, data collection, and inventory control hardware and software. Includes pricing!!!
- PSC, Inc. Data collection hardware and software including the IntelliTrack series of low-cost software products.
- Bellwether Affordable Purchasing and inventory management software.
- AMICS Inventory Control Software for manufacturing and distribution.
- QSSI Quality Software Systems Inc. WMS
- PSI Planner "High Tech, low-cost Supply Chain Planning Software".
- Minidata Scheduling software for distribution centers.
- Cribmaster. Tool Crib/MRO inventory management software.
Software (Forecasting / Demand planning / inventory optimization).
- John Galt Solutions ForecastX line of forecasting products. Includes pricing!!!
- Valogix Forecasting and inventory planning software specifically designed for service parts and MRO.
- E/Step Software Inc. Forecasting software
- TCLogic Inventory Optimization software.
- ToolsGroup Inventory optimization software.
- Smart Software Smart Forecast demand planning software.
- Forecast Pro Forecasting software.
- Demand Solutions Demand planning software.
- Thrive Technologies Demand planning software for mid-sized distribution, retail, and manufacturing.
- SCP 4.0 Advanced planning and vendor managed inventory system.
Software (Manufacturing).
Also see ERP Software for more manufacturing software
- DBA Software Manufacturing software for small manufacturers. Includes pricing!!!
- Software PM. AS/400 based MRPII software for small manufacturers. Includes pricing!!!
- MRP Plus MS Access based manufacturing software for small to mid sized manufacturers Includes pricing!!!
- pc/MRP Multi-user MRP package for under $1,000 for a single user license. I was surprised to see the amount of functionality offered in this budget MRP package. Obviously targeting very small manufacturers pc/MRP provides a low-cost single solution that allow even the smallest Mom-and-Pop shop the opportunity to retire their paper based system. Includes pricing!!!
- INMASS/MRP Computer software for manufacturing. PC based "cost-effective" manufacturing software.
- Invertech MRA Low-cost "material requirements analysis" software
- Aim Computer Solutions "Repetitive manufacturing solutions targeted specifically for the small to medium sized automotive supplier".
- Ultriva Lean manufacturing software products including kanban and scheduling tools.
- nMetric Manufacturing software for scheduling and managing shop floor activities.
- Production-Scheduling.com Low-cost custom spreadsheet-based scheduling software. Designs custom spreadsheets to meet your constraints-based scheduling needs.
- Shoplogix Looks like some type of shop floor visibility/ manufacturing execution system.
- MaxScheduler Scheduling Software
Software (Shipping Systems/Manifesting/TMS)
- Shiphawk
- Shipstation
- Endicia
- ClipperShip
- Pitney Bowes
- Imagine Transportation Management System (TMS)
- SMC³ Transportation rate management products.
- Varsity
- eCustoms Customs documentation and compliance software.
Software (Miscellaneous).
- T|WO. Pallet building and load building software
- Cube-IQ Load optimization software for container and trailer loading, palletization, and cartonization.
- DC Expert Warehouse design and optimization program.
- Systems2win Continuous improvement tools
- Enterprise Dynamics Supply chain simulation software.
- SIMUL8 Simulation software.
- Flexsim Simulation software.