http://logistics.georgiainnovation.org/blog/list Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT Blog for Center of Innovation for Logistics http://logistics.georgiainnovation.org/blog/71/Savannah-Harbor-Deepening-is-vital-to-Georgias-Economy Georgia Ports Authority has been proactively working to advance the Savannah Harbor Deepening Project in preparation for the larger vessels and increase traffic through the Panama Canal once that expansion project is completed in 2014. With the clock ticking, GPA is rallying support for critical federal and state support in order for Georgia to stand ready to handle the increase in cargo volume. It’s one thing for the port to be prepared, but improvements outside the gate are also critical to Georgia’s logistics competitiveness. In fact, these improvements impact our entire country. “The Panama Canal Authority is making steady headway on expansion, which will ultimately build a new lane of traffic along the Canal,” said Mr. Alemán Zubieta. “We are progressing on-time and on-budget; the expanded Canal will facilitate the traffic of longer, wider ships to the East Coast of the United States, including the state of Georgia. It is crucial that Georgia’s ports are able to accommodate this increased cargo volume and larger vessels and we fully support their efforts to do so.” Environmental concerns are always top-of-mind for a project like this; however numerous studies over the past 12 years have suggested that environmental concessions will potentially leave the Savannah River Harbor better off than it is today. Just last week, it was announced that the ports of Savannah and Brunswick account for $7.7 billion worth of cargo to and from Metro Atlanta. GPA has statewide economic impact of $2.8 billion in state and local taxes, supports more than 286,476 jobs throughout the state annually and contributes $14.9 billion in income, and $55.8 billion in revenue. This economic engine is vital to Georgia’s economy and provides our state with an unfair advantage on the East Coast. With the help of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the ports agency is trying to convince businesses around the state of the ports’ impact so they will support government funding for transportation improvements. “We have to do our part as the business community in making sure we’ve got those type solutions,” Georgia Chamber president George Israel said. Georgia’s rail lines are also preparing the expected increase in cargo flow and truck traffic is expected to double by 2020. Truck volumes will grow from 7,500 to over 12,000 as well… We definitely want to be ready when those “ships come in”. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://logistics.georgiainnovation.org/blog/71/Savannah-Harbor-Deepening-is-vital-to-Georgias-Economy info@georgiainnovation.org http://logistics.georgiainnovation.org/blog/67/Is-iPhone-an-Industry-Changer-for-Logistics Will the iPhone be the industry changer in logistics? The recent success of D.W. Morgan in producing a proprietary iPhone app to give its customers real-time visibility and delivery notification of goods is eye opening. Within six months D.W. Morgan (100 employees) was able to generate a decisively competitive advantage over its much larger competitors. However the 18th Annual Survey: Trends and issues in Logistics and Transportation shows that 25% of firms are still using manual spreadsheets to manage transportation; particularly domestically. With the emerging trends in mobile technology for logistics, companies unwilling to give up paper and pencil may find themselves so far behind that they can’t catch up. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://logistics.georgiainnovation.org/blog/67/Is-iPhone-an-Industry-Changer-for-Logistics info@georgiainnovation.org http://logistics.georgiainnovation.org/blog/61/Economic-Downturn-Can-Lead-to-Business-Success I think it’s interesting to note that thirteen of the 25 companies on the Dow Jones Industrial Average, as of December 2008, were formed during an economic downturn, including 3M, General Electric, Microsoft and Walt Disney. Wed, 09 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://logistics.georgiainnovation.org/blog/61/Economic-Downturn-Can-Lead-to-Business-Success info@georgiainnovation.org http://logistics.georgiainnovation.org/blog/59/Georgia-To-Develop-a-Freight-and-Logistics-Plan Its exciting to see Georgia moving forward toward a more robust, long-range, comprehensive freight plan for logistics. This a critical need for our state. Responses are due today for the Georgia Department of Transportations RFQ seeking qualified consultants to work on a plan for 2010-2050. This process includes the creation of a strategic planning advisory committee. This committee is to include representatives from private industry to provide outside input and perspective to the planning process. Click here to see the article from today’s Savannah Morning News. Georgia to Develop a Freight and Logistics Plan Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://logistics.georgiainnovation.org/blog/59/Georgia-To-Develop-a-Freight-and-Logistics-Plan info@georgiainnovation.org http://logistics.georgiainnovation.org/blog/58/Georgia-Tech-Opens-Logistics-Center-in-Costa-Rica- The Georgia Institute of Technology on Aug. 20 formally launched a logistics center in the Costa Rican capital that will help the country realize its trade goals while paving the way for Tech to expand its influence in Latin America. The new Trade, Innovation and Productivity Center will conduct research, accumulate data, teach professionals and develop technologies to help Costa Rican companies export more efficiently. It is exciting to see one of Georgia’s premier educational institutions take a leading role in logistics on an international level. By providing a real-life laboratory for students and faculty as well as developing relationships with logistics leaders in Costa Rica, everyone benefits. The article, written by Trevor Williams, outlines Tech’s commitment to extending its reach in logistics and providing research and collaboration opportunities with Latin American companies. To read the entire article go to: http//globalatlanta.com/article/17531/ Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://logistics.georgiainnovation.org/blog/58/Georgia-Tech-Opens-Logistics-Center-in-Costa-Rica- info@georgiainnovation.org