Tompkins International: Distribution and Transportation Networks for Tomorrow’s Need

"Technological trends in the logistics space are evolving and diminishing so fast that it is difficult to call them as trends,” starts Jim Tompkins, CEO, Tompkins International. In saying that, Tompkins points out that, few big trends have captured the interest of CIOs, and are continuously influencing the market. A lot of progressive work is being done around visibility software across the supply chain operation, bringing in the best in class tools for transportation management system (TMS) and warehouse management system (WMS). Cloud based applications are also being largely implemented to easily capture, share, and act on real-time logistics data. The other side of the story presents customers, who are increasingly using omni-channel and mobile devices for most applications to track and manage their logistics activity. “This pressure is pushing companies to implement the buzzing technologies to perform enhanced integration,” adds Tompkins. This is where Tompkins International steps in to assist firms in developing improved operations strategies, planning, and execution across various processes of a supply chain.

Tompkins International’s roots stem from the university environment, where they worked with companies to improve their distribution center operations. After the inception of the company, Tompkins International started delivering distribution operations lessons, and over the years evolved, learned and expanded its service and practice line to accommodate the ever-changing needs of companies’ supply chains. Today, the company stands firm with immense capabilities to provide consulting services across various aspects of the global supply chain, and have pioneered in fields of network design and technology application.

The escalating consumers’ expectation as they increasingly get involved in purchasing process through online and retail channels is forcing the consumer products companies to rethink their distribution operation to fulfill customer’s needs. “The distribution center of the past is now a fulfillment center capable of next day and possibly same day delivery of goods to consumers,” asserts Tompkins. Tompkins International’s distribution operations services ensure that the client’s facilities deliver the right product to the right place at the right time, and at the lowest possible cost.