Businesses that rely heavily on shipping must steer clear of shipping mistakes as much as possible. Just a minor slip-up can cost a company a lot of money, cause it to lose customers, and lead to unnecessary problems. There are many common shipping mistakes, and since most of these are irreversible, it is best to double-check whether they have been avoided before the load has been sent to the customer’s address. Not using pallets A pallet is the best tool businesses can use when shipping goods to different places around town. It is a flat wooden piece that stores multiple shipping packages. So, when it is time to move the packages, one only has to move the pallet. This significantly reduces the risk of anything getting damaged during the trip. It is also simpler to move a pallet than using a forklift or a pallet jack to move individual packages. Moreover, palletizing the goods prevents them from colliding with each other and getting damaged. Giving an incorrect address Dealing with numerous packages is difficult, especially during crunch time. In such moments, one may make the simple mistake of listing an incorrect address on a box, which can cost the business significantly.

Industrial machines are critical components of any factory or manufacturing plant. The production process and, therefore, the performance of the organization as a whole depends highly on how efficiently these machines function. Thus, it is important to maintain them so that they continue to run optimally. However, this is not always easy since the factory floor is quite busy. Hence, here are a few tips for industrial machine maintenance to avoid overlooking some essential maintenance tasks. Regularly check the lubrication levels One of the most common reasons for industrial machines breaking down is friction. This especially happens with machines that run for longer hours. Also, the older a machine, the higher the chances of friction occurring between the different parts. Most of the time, this leads to productivity loss and production delays. Therefore, it is important to always check the lubrication level of the machinery to lower the risk of wear and tear caused by friction. Along with checking the lubrication levels of the industrial machines, it is crucial to use the right types of lubricants for the different machines. This is because a single-type lubricant solution will not be effective for all the machines. Always make sure to check the manuals and follow recommendations provided by the manufacturer of the machine regarding the suitable type of lubricant to be used.

E-commerce is an eternally evolving and growing market. So, it’s better to track all the logistics and supply chain operations through automation rather than manually. In that sense, using shipping software is no longer a luxury for supply chain players but a necessity. Businesses can choose from various options depending on what they need. With their efficient operation and elimination of human errors, these automation-driven tools reduce commonly seen shipping errors in multiple ways. Verifying addresses to avoid shipping errors A large percentage of failed deliveries happen due to incorrect or incomplete addresses and a lack of address verification. Address verification systems (AVS) are sub-tools in many shipping software. These systems ensure shippers get an accurate delivery address from customers when they check out and make payments on online e-commerce portals. Every e-commerce store can use AVS cart plugin software. This software compares the address a customer enters with the other addresses they have registered at major shipping carriers. Whenever such systems detect a discrepancy between the addresses in the two databases, they prompt customers to identify which address they want to use to receive shipping deliveries. In this way, all their future shipments will automatically and unerringly be delivered to that address.

Almost every industry uses mixers to grind materials and achieve homogeneous mixtures or product consistency. Usually, these mixers are categorized based on what material they mix (such as solids, liquids, or gasses), the type of force they employ (rotation, pressure, or gravity), and their core functions. Mixers and mixing equipment are vital components of many manufacturing processes. Here are the eleven most popular types of mixers and their core uses. Liquefier A liquefier mixer brings solid and semi-solid ingredients to a liquid consistency. It is mainly used in the food industry for making sauces, ice cream, candies, dressings, and other food products. The mixer helps liquify flours, starches, emulsifiers, frozen products, etc. A liquefier is used when the products must be made in large quantities. It takes minutes to transform the matter, which is why it is so popular. Disperser A disperser is another industrial food mixer that helps break down powdered solids like flour and give it a lump-free batter-like or liquid consistency. Homogenizer This is another popular industrial food-mixing equipment. A homogenizer uses high-pressure mechanical force to push mixtures through a tight space and create a fine consistency. However, the machine is not built to mix highly coarse components.

Franchising is one of the more underrated careers. Launching a franchise is a long and extensive process, and there are several possibilities of mistakes when people try to launch their own franchise. These mistakes could make the process less worthwhile and derail a person’s path to success. Therefore, avoiding them is necessary to have a positive outcome. Here are some of the common mistakes people make while launching a franchise: Insufficient research Before investing money, one should research and educate oneself about the pros and cons of any investment avenue, including franchising. Weighing these pros and cons helps a person make informed decisions as they launch one of their own franchising efforts. One of the effective ways of doing this is researching the internet or seeking advice from acquaintances running successful franchises. Moreover, one can also visit franchise expos and conventions and talk with existing franchisees. Before dipping their feet in the unknown, cold waters of franchises, a little bit of research and accumulated know-how can be an ally for people. Skipping the legal details Opening a franchise involves several legal agreements between an individual and their franchisor. One of these documents is known as a franchise disclosure document (FDD).

Starting an online business is a significant milestone from the perspective of an entrepreneurship aspirant. But before venturing into business, multiple factors must be considered, which can overwhelm many people. But as much as one gets certain aspects right when starting an online business, there are an equal number of factors where one can go wrong. Here are ten avoidable mistakes one should be wary of before venturing into an online business. Neglecting preparation Before launching a business, an individual must have a business plan ready. The plan can include preparing the company’s background information, confidentiality agreements, products and services, marketing analysis, and financial projections. Not being ready with these aspects will imply the individual isn’t fully prepared to run the business, which won’t sit well with investors. Prolonging launch time The timing of a business launch is important. Individuals must conduct the necessary research and not waste time launching the business as soon as they identify an opportunity. Taking more time than needed may lead to being outrun by a competitor. The business plan does not have to be perfect. Lack of passion Yes, a business is about making money. But it’s also about selling something that you enjoy.

Businesses that operate fleets need to capture, organize, and analyze a constant data flow. This includes maintaining records about fuel efficiency and driver behavior to help maximize the fleet’s efficiency. A business usually installs GPS fleet tracking systems to manage this. Those who wish to explore these systems might come across several options on the market. Here are a few tips to help one choose a GPS fleet tracking system: 1. Check maintenance planning tools One should look for a system that supports an over-the-air maintenance process. This can help one remotely monitor maintenance data for fully integrated planning and preventive upkeep. A GPS fleet tracking system should ideally support digital inspections, engine diagnostics, and built-in warnings and early alerts. 2. Look for reliable customer support Though GPS fleet tracking software needs to be correctly installed, constant management is required to analyze the data. One should consider customer support’s reliability in resolving real-time issues. Reliable fleet management software companies usually handle the installation and activation and work with the business to troubleshoot and make adjustments wherever necessary. 3. Consider the ease of usability Ease of use is a crucial factor to consider when looking for GPS fleet tracking software. It should be simple for the end user to operate.

In today’s e-commerce scenario, improving supply chain visibility is critical. All parties, whether suppliers, manufacturers, or customers, want to know the ETAs of their shipments so they can plan what’s ahead. In that sense, GPS fleet tracking systems are worth their weight in gold in the fast and intense commerce industry. However, one must avoid these three common mistakes as far as possible when choosing GPS fleet tracking systems for business operations. Neglecting tracking range Companies delivering their goods over ultra-long distances must track their fleets throughout the route until they safely reach their destination. Therefore, people tasked with choosing GPS fleet trackers need to check the range of a given system before choosing it. Ideally, the range should be infinite if companies deliver their goods internationally. Even if a business delivers locally, it should choose a system with a long range. This way, it can track down its fleet accurately no matter how far away it is at any given moment. Neglecting the tracking range undermines the overall transparency of a company’s supply chain operations. Buying the cheapest/costliest option without thinking Usually, the costliest systems have the most fancy features and advanced capabilities. However, they may be useless to a small, local business just looking for a simple, no-nonsense fleet tracker.

Since data security has become a problem, companies must conduct a SOC 2 audit. This audit lets people know the company is working to protect their data. As a result, it increases customer loyalty, boosts the business’s reputation in the market, and provides many other benefits. However, one must prepare well and be careful during the process. Here are the three most common mistakes to avoid before starting a SOC 2 audit. Not assigning a project manager A company must assign a project manager after deciding to perform a SOC 2 audit. The individual oversees several audit-related tasks, one of the most important being data collection. During the audit, the company must collect documents and information from different departments, such as business operations, human resources, system admins, etc. This process can fall apart without a designated manager. Plus, there will be nobody to ensure effective communication between all departments, which can create confusion during the audit. Skipping a readiness assessment Skipping a readiness assessment is another big mistake companies must avoid before starting a SOC 2 audit. Before the external auditor arrives, a company must evaluate itself to check if it is ready for the audit. During this assessment, the company must evaluate the controls (security, privacy, confidentiality, etc.) the auditor will examine.

A professional employer organization or PEO works as an outsourcing partner for businesses, helping manage human resource functions. PEOs share employment liability, making it easier for organizations to offer employees better benefits. Acting as an extension of the business, a PEO engages with the management team and addresses complex employee-related matters. Some PEOs also manage platforms for handling employee data. Here are a few reasons why businesses may need PEOs: 1. Limited resources This usually happens with small or new businesses. Such organizations may not have enough funds to build a full-fledged in-house HR department. While they get on their feet, a PEO can offer the organization necessary human resource support. They can assist with streamlining administrative tasks, legalities, employee handbook edits, updating company policy updates, and other tasks. For businesses that already have an HR team in place, a PEO can manage the basic HR activities so that the team can focus on strategic HR initiatives for business growth. 2. Excessive paperwork While administrative paperwork is a crucial part of business, it can be tedious and time-consuming. When paperwork piles up, a business loses critical time that could have been spent on revenue-generating activities. In such situations, PEOs can be useful businesses, helping them outsource tasks such as record-keeping and benefits management.