Hey! You! Get on the Cloud!

Mick Jagger had it wrong. You don't want to get off the cloud; these days, you want to get on the cloud and stay there. The cloud I'm referring to isn't cirrus, stratus, or cumulonimbus; it's cloud in the sense of "cloud computing," the latest information technology buzzword. If you haven't heard much about cloud computing yet, you probably will this year. Major software companies like Microsoft are expected to announce initiatives in this area.

What is cloud computing? In simple terms, it's the sharing and storing of information over the Internet (the cloud is a metaphor for the Internet). Under this setup, applications and data are stored on servers on the Internet, where they are accessible via desktop computers, sensors, monitors, smart phones—practically any electronic device anywhere on the globe.

To view the full article, visit DCVelocity at http://dcvelocity.com/viewpoints/?article_id=2170&ref=toc

The Secret SaaS

A new benchmark report, "The Secret SaaS: On-Demand Supply Chain Management" from Aberdeen Group explores whether a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) application deployment is a long-term, viable option to enable different process areas of supply chain management. In the report 5 process areas are benchmarked and discussed: B2B Connectivity, Sourcing and Procurement, Supply Chain Execution, Supplier/Customer Collaboration, Supply Chain Planning/Manufacturing.

In the current economic climate with increasing supply chain complexity, new application investment decisions are met with a high degree of scrutiny. In addition to upfront and ongoing costs, the ability to integrate the application with current processes and extend it into the extended supply chain, as well as the need for simple integration and non-complex process architecture are top factors in the decision making process.

To view the full article, visit SupplyChainBrain at http://www.supplychainbrain.com/content/nc/technology-solutions/saas-on-demand-systems/single-article-page/article/the-secret-saas-on-demand-supply-chain-management/

DHS Confirms No Delay for "10+2"

The Importer Security Filing regulation went into effect on Monday as scheduled. The Obama administration last week said it’s taking a sweeping look at all leftover Bush administration regulations, raising questions about the status of the pending ISF rule. But the Department of Homeland Security removed any doubt in a statement, saying it would not hold up the new information requirements on maritime cargo.

The 10 data requirements from importers are due 24 hours before vessel loading overseas and the two carrier requirements at various intervals thereafter. The interim final rule is known as “10+2.”

To view the full article, visit http://www.americanshipper.com/NewWeb/News/shippers-newswire/logistics/122028--dhs-confirms-no-delay-for-10+2.html

Out-of-this-World Visibility

Those of you who really, really need to know exactly where your shipments are at all times might want to check this out. IHS, a company that provides data for such industries as aerospace, defense, and energy and parent of the economic research firm Global Insight, can track oceangoing ships by satellite. The satellites ping ships every six minutes to determine their location and track their exact path.

"It's like Google Earth for ships," said IHS Global Insight economist Scot Sigman during his presentation on global trade trends at the fall conference of the Coalition of New England Companies for Trade. Sigman showed a screen shot of the Western Hemisphere, with dozens of small yellow boxes representing ships, their paths up to that point depicted in one-day increments. He predicted that shippers would one day use the service to see in near-real time which ports are congested and whether or not ships are on schedule. Currently available only in the Western Hemisphere, the satellite tracking service is expected to be up and running worldwide in about 12 months.

To view the full article, visit DCVelocity at http://www.dcvelocity.com/news/article_id=2166&channel=4&source=fromVelocityTechWatch&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Email+marketing+software&utm_content=377074804&utm_campaign=TechWatch+2009+Jan+27+_+dtuuz&utm_term=out-of-this+world+visibility

Peru FTA Announcement

The Peru-US Free Trade Agreement was passed by the U.S. Congress on December 4, 2004 and signed by former President Bush on December 14, 2007. The agreement provides for reductions in tariffs and facilitates trade between the two countries. The FTA is effective February 1, 2009 and for imports on or after that date, most products (including textiles) from Peru will become duty-free immediately if they meet the FTA requirements. The agreement also contains provisions that provide for stronger protection in intellectual property rights, protection for U.S. investors in Peru, as well as commitments to internationally recognized labor rights.

The summary can be downloaded from the Meeks, Sheppard, Leo & Pillsbury website: http://www.mscustoms.com/Reference.htm.

USDA eases Lacey Act timelines

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on Thursday said it is extending the enforcement deadlines for importers to submit wood product declarations to comply with last year's amendments to the Lacey Act. The agency is extending the length of each enforcement period from three to six months, as requested by a group of lawmakers, and providing a more definitive list of products that are in each phase of enforcement. Last fall, the Agriculture Department offered to delay enforcement of the declaration by making it voluntary for companies to file a paper-based form until at least April 1, when an electronic system is expected to be ready to process submissions. After that time, enforcement of products would be phased in.

To learn more about the details of the Lacey Act, visit American Shipper at http://www.americanshipper.com/NewWeb/news_page_SNW2.asp?news=121812

Top 5 Areas to Cover When Assessing Supply Chain Risk Factors

Have you identified and assessed all the risks in your supply chain? Knowing the key areas to evaluate for each of your suppliers can make this an easier and less timeconsuming process. Below are five key areas to cover when assessing the risk factors in your supply chain.

1. Country of Origin
2. Shipment & Delivery Accuracy
3. Physical Security
4. Internal Processes
5. Social & Environmental Responsibilities

To get more details on these five key areas, visit the Integration Point website at http://www.integrationpoint.com/documents/IntegrationPoint_SupplyChainRiskFactors.pdf

Five Mistakes to Avoid When Screening Exports

Mistakes in exporting can be costly. To ensure your company is properly screening all exports, and avoiding the chance for penalties, avoid these top five common mistakes when screening your exports:

1. Believing that screening is not needed
2. Performing an incomplete search
3. Using only a few lists for screening
4. Focusing on false positives
5. Utilizing only one search method

To get more details on these 5 common mistakes, visit Integration Point Inc.'s Media Tip Sheet at http://www.integrationpoint.com/documents/IP_5MistakestoAvoidWhenScreeningExports.pdf

2 Main Concerns for Importers & Exporters

Integration Point Inc.'s CEO, Tom Barnes, explains: "In the current global economy and political environment, there are two main concerns facing importers, exporters and the vendors who support them. The first is managing cost. The second is remaining competititve. In global trade terms, savings can be accomplished by managing inventories more carefully, reducing the time of transport, ensuring proper customs paperwork and minimizing tariffs. These opportunities require planning by the importer or exporter. They need comprehensive, up-to-date information and easy-to-use tools to make quick, accurate decisions as well as to increase visibility into their supply chain. Information must come from numerous third party sources and be compiled in a comprehensive manner. The collaboration of the various trade participants and effective tools that support the multiple languages of global trade are critical areas in which I expect to see accelerated progress in 2009."

The full article can be found in The Journal of Commerce 2009 Annual Review and Outlook.

You Can’t Do Global Compliance and Security By Hand

“I can't see supply chain professionals effectively managing global trade processes in a manual environment any longer,” says Rennie Alston, president of American River International, a logistics services provider. Time was that moving cargo cost effectively, timely and safely was your only concern, but not any more. Security rules and regulations mandated by various government agencies make compliance management a requirement for any company today. That calls for senior management buy-in, education and training, assessing your internal policies, breaking down silos in your organization and ensuring that your providers are complementing your efforts, Alston says. Automation is the key.



To view the article and video interview, visit SupplyChainBrain at http://www.supplychainbrain.com/content/nc/logisticstransportation/global-trade-management/single-article-page/article/you-cant-do-global-compliance-and-security-by-hand/

When It Comes to GTM, the Accent's on Management

Quite a few enterprises are into global trade, but many of those are unable to step back and assess their performance. There are many issues to deal with, including governmental and regulatory compliance, containing costs, and improving one's competitiveness. With cross-border trade transactions amounting to more than $10tr in 2007, global trade management is nothing to take lightly, says Marisa Brown, APQC senior program manager. But there has to be a coordinated management approach to GTM that encompasses all company departments—logistics, tax, finance, legal and operations.

To view the article and video interview, visit SupplyChainBrain at http://www.supplychainbrain.com/content/nc/logisticstransportation/global-trade-management/single-article-page/article/when-it-comes-to-gtm-the-accents-on-management

Companies Debate the Merits of Software-as-a-Service

Can you trust your software vendor with critical data and applications that are sitting in a server at a remote location? The model offers numerous advantages—and some caveats as well. A dozen years ago, Gregory Bostick wouldn’t have considered buying business software that was installed and maintained off-site. “I would have said, if the internet gets up to the speed of a mainframe, it would be a great idea,” says the vice president of transportation with Pinnacle Foods Group. Six or seven years ago, when that goal was essentially reached, Bostick still had concerns about the level of vendor support for hosted software. Today, however, it’s a whole new ball game.

To view the full article, visit SupplyChainBrain at http://www.supplychainbrain.com/content/headline-news/single-article/article/going-outside-the-walls-companies-debate-the-merits-of-software-as-a-service/

High Priority: Trade Risk Management

Strong global competition and increasing regulatory requirements are leading companies to rethink their global trade management strategies. Increasingly more firms view trade management as a high-priority function.
"The trade business is evolving faster today than at any point in its history," Peter Tijou, vice president of product management with financial services firm J.P. Morgan's Global Trade Services group, wrote earlier this month.

Even before the recent recessionary circumstances in which companies everywhere have found themselves, organizations throughout the world have been feeling the effects of today's burgeoning global trade, a heightened regulatory climate and intense corporate interest in managing global risks and containing costs.

To view the full article, visit Thomasnet Industrial Newsroom at http://news.thomasnet.com/IMT/archives/2009/01/global-competition-regulations-making-trade-risk-management-high-priority.html

10 + 2 Importer Security Filing

10+2 is often viewed initially as "my broker will do it" or similar comment by Importers. The filing process may not be straightforward and may be challenging, especially for small-medium enterprises (SMEs) that are trading partners. This includes importers, forwarders, customs brokers and others.




To learn more on the key issues of security filing, view the full article in SupplyChainBrain at http://www.supplychainbrain.com/content/nc/general-scm/sc-security-risk-mgmt/single-article-page/article/10-2-importer-security-filing-its-about-more-than-filing-10-data-elements/

Indonesia Formally Launches Three-Island Free Trade Zone

The Jakarta Post reported Jan. 20 that after five years of delay Indonesia has formally launched a free trade zone encompassing the islands of Batam, Bintan and Karimun. According to the article, the government issued this week regulations on zone operations, including tax and duty exemptions and the loading and unloading of imports and exports. Although nearly 1,200 companies have already invested more than $11 billion in the three islands, the regulations are expected to resolve business uncertainty and promote additional investment in sectors such as electronics, manufacturing, shipbuilding and apparel.

To view the article, visit WorldTrade/Interactive at http://www.strtrade.com/wti/wti.asp?pub=0&story=30078&date=1%2F22%2F2009&company

Canada, India to Discuss Possible FTA

The Canadian government announced Jan. 21 that it has agreed to initiate exploratory discussions toward a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with India. At a meeting this week Canadian Minister of International Trade Stockwell Day and Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Kamal Nath stressed the need to further tap the potential for increased bilateral trade and investment, especially in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture and related activities, and industrial goods. They also acknowledged the progress made on the Canada-India Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement and emphasized the need for an early implementation of that pact.



To view the article, visit WorldTrade/Interactive at http://www.strtrade.com/wti/wti.asp?pub=0&story=30076&date=1%2F22%2F2009&company=

NAM Forms Customs and Border Coalition

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) announced the creation of a new customs and border coalition charged with making sure that business concerns are addressed when government agencies are developing security rules and procedures that govern exports and imports. The group said the coalition will bring together individual businesses and associations to review programs and regulations issued by government agencies affecting transportation of manufactured products across the nation’s borders.



To view the full article, visit Shipping Digest at http://www.shippingdigest.com/news/article.asp?ltype=trade&sid=5811

Obama to Push for Stalled Trade Pacts

President-elect Obama wants to win Congressional approval of long-stalled free-trade deals with Colombia, Panama and South Korea, but more work is needed, according to Rep. Charles Rangel, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.


"The president-elect wants to work with Republicans and Democrats to get those trade agreements moving," the New York Democrat said in a Jan. 15 meeting where he outlined the committee’s priorities for the year, Reuters reported.



To view the full article, visit Shipping Digest at http://www.shippingdigest.com/news/article.asp?sid=5819&ltype=trade%20

CBP: Enhanced ACE Capabilities

Enhanced ACE Capabilities in Advance of Ocean/Rail Manifest Release. Effective Jan. 24 U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be deploying enhanced Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) capabilities that will lay the groundwork for the ocean and rail manifest release currently scheduled for this spring. Some of the new enhancements are outlined in the full article found at WorldTrade\Interactive -- http://www.strtrade.com/wti/wti.asp?pub=0&story=30063&date=1%2F20%2F2009&company=

US Implements FTA with Peru

President Bush issued Jan. 16 a proclamation implementing the U.S. free trade agreement with Peru. Effective Feb. 1 this proclamation will modify the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to reflect the duty benefits and rules of origin under this FTA, remove Peru as a beneficiary country under the Generalized System of Preferences, set forth special provisions concerning textiles and apparel, and make technical and conforming changes in the HTSUS general notes. The proclamation also makes certain technical changes to the HTSUS to properly implement the U.S. FTAs with Morocco, Bahrain and Costa Rica.

For the full article, visit WorldTrade\Interactive at http://www.strtrade.com/wti/wti.asp?pub=0&story=30061&date=1%2F20%2F2009&company

US Chamber of Commerce offers 14-point proposal on trade

As President-elect Barack Obama and his advisers worked on their strategy for the new administration, the US Chamber of Commerce issued its agenda on international business issues just before the holidays. "The comprehensive set of recommendations finds common ground for working with the new administration and Congress by focusing on ways to level the playing field for trade, helping small businesses export, and assisting displaced workers," the chamber said in a statement announcing the report.

For more information, read the entire article at Shipping Digest -- http://www.shippingdigest.com/news/article.asp?sid=5783&ltype=feature