Using Reverse Logistics Standards to Improve Your Operations

by Paul Rupnow

Four years ago, when the first Reverse Logistics conference was hosted in Las Vegas by the Reverse Logistics Association, few people had heard of the term Reverse Logistics and even fewer understood what it was. Since then, the term and the industry have exploded and a significant evolution is taking place in the management of product returns. Despite the rapid industry growth, there are not a lot of standards available for Reverse Logistics at this time.

Safety standards keep our work environment safe, wireless standards keep all of our wireless devices communicating with each other, but what about Reverse Logistics? Do we need standards? Some standards are extremely helpful to an industry, some standards are created to regulate. Are there any standards needed to assist or regulate the Reverse Logistics industry? The answer is yes.
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Reverse Logistics Conference & Expo
Dorint Sofitel Amsterdam Airport Hotel
June 25-27, 2007
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Join us for Europe's Premiere Reverse Logistics Event! Companies from throughout Europe as well as many other international delegates will be in attendance. ODMs and OEMs will be looking for 3PSPs that can manage Reverse Logistics in Europe, along with identifying solutions for Asia and the Americas.

Reinier Jens, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Philips Consumer Electronics Region Europe, will deliver the Keynote Address on Tuesday followed by industry leaders and top academics sharing their ideas on topics as returns and loss prevention, revenue opportunities within reverse logistics, outsourcing and regulatory requirements. See the Conference Schedule for a full listing of session topics.

Call for Speakers. Nominate reverse logistics thought leaders to speak at our Amsterdam event! There are many benefits for session speakers and panel participants.

With standing room only last year, we have reserved every meter of space for what is shaping up to be the largest show in Amsterdam - we are expecting over 400-450 attendees! The Exhibit Hall is almost sold-out - so call us today to reserve the limited exhibit space that is left!  More Info

How RLA Can Help

In the past two years, there have been 10 major recalls of batteries. The companies involved had recall programs in place and handled the situation quickly and effectively. The cost of the combined recalls was more than $1 billion dollars. In order to save time and money for all members of the Reverse Logistics Association, we have published information on our website on how to prepare for recalls.

For more details, click here.

Standard Committee Progress

One of our newest focus committees has been quite active this past quarter. The Standards Committee is beginning its second phase: actually defining the terms and vocabulary of reverse logistics. Why is this important? Because our job descriptions and our budgets depend upon what is accepted to be included in our domain. The reality is that today, the term "reverse logistics" does not mean the same thing from company to company. Sometimes there is no agreement even between divisions within the same company. There is not even a consensus about what budget items are covered by "warranty reserves." No wonder we have such a difficult time explaining what we do!

This is your chance to make a difference! Become active in this process. Register at RL Forum and weigh-in with your opinions about the definition of our areas of expertise. Your input is important.

For more information on the Standards Committee including a motion currently before the committee, click here.

• National Conference on Operations & Fulfillment (NCOF) - Schaumburg, IL - April 29 - May 2, 2007
• RFID Journal Live! 2007 - Orlando, FL - April 29 - May 4, 2007
• MEDIA-TECH Expo 2007 - Long Beach, CA - May 15-17, 2007
• RL Seminar - Louisville, KY - June 06, 2007
• RLTS Amsterdam 2007 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands - June 25-27, 2007

IT Asset Disposal—The Missing Link in Intellectual Property Asset Security Protection

by Chris Adam

The definition of "intellectual property" may vary by firm but most business professionals would agree that items such as trade secrets, design plans, formulas, manufacturing processes, and business strategic plans are extremely important assets and therefore must be protected. In some cases, a company's ability to safeguard their IP assets could mean the difference between business success and failure. This is especially true for many of in the high tech industry.

The rapid expansion of technology has created some very sophisticated methods of tracking and controlling intellectual property assets. However, this same technology has also allowed highly sensitive data to be downloaded and stored on inexpensive PC computer disk drives. Although the storage of confidential data on PC disk drives may not be a security problem, the improper disposal of these PC disk drives does represent a significant security risk.  Full Article

** NEW ** Returns Management Software RFP Template

Are you evaluating software applications to automate returns management / reverse logistics processes within your organization? Make sure you are asking the right questions with our new Request for Proposal (RFP) template. This detailed workbook provides a comprehensive framework covering the entire spectrum of Enterprise Returns Management capabilities.

• Detailed sections for company, product and application ratings
• More than 300 individual criteria
• Vendor scoring section
• Ability to prioritize features

Whether you are evaluating a packaged application, outsourcing or performing in-house development, this template will guide your planning efforts to ensure success.

Download RFP template.

Sean Grady, former V.P. of Sales and Marketing at RazorLynx, has joined Solectron Global Services as the new Global Account Manager for one of Solectron's largest OEM customers, a world leader in networking hardware. Sean will have bottom line responsibility to manage this strategic account and will actively pursue new global service and supply chain solutions including global strategic alliance strategies.

After having spent 14 years in business with Schenker, TMI Integrated Logistics and Solectron, Stef de Bont, is launching a new company - Logi3. Logi3 aims to support companies with improving their logistics and supply chain competences by offering Interim Management and Management Consultancy services. The focus areas of Logi3 are: Distribution Logistics, Service Management (Service Logistics) and Organizational Development.

RL Quote - Four Key Procurement Advantages for OEMs

RL Quote provides OEMs, ODMs and Retailers a way to connect with 3PSPs. With RL Quote a retailer or manufacturer can send out RFIs anonymously to our worldwide database of service providers, screen through the 3PSP responses and narrow down the prospects.

Using RL Quote is simply a better way to source for Reverse Logistics Services, here are four reason why...

• FREE Industry Expertise
• Anonymity
• Wider Selection
• New Technologies

For more details, click here.

RL Market Research Services at RLA

Because of increasing requests from our members, we are expanding our internal research team to support market research requests from venture capital firms, OEMs, 3PSPs, and retailers across all industries.

Previously, RLA generated market and industry reports for the benefit of the RL community. RLA will now be able to respond to requests for specific types of research from its members and companies who are engaged in RL business activities.

Also, we would encourage multiple companies to consider sponsoring the research efforts - this is a great way to leverage your resources.

So if you need research on a specific RL topic, please email us at research@rltinc.com - we're ready to serve you!