Supply Chain

Doing Good Throughout the Human Supply Chain

Sept. 2, 2006

Back in 1999-2000, when it looked for a while like i2 Technologies was on a growth cycle that would defy gravity, the supply chain software company announced many projects in the online marketplace arena, many of them centered on the TradeMatrix brand name. TradeMatrix was actually a portal that included exchanges aimed at high-tech, aerospace, consumer goods and retail markets.

Well, the dot-com collapse and subsequent industry malaise following Sept. 11 ultimately did in the TradeMatrix idea, but another idea that was launched at about the same time has quietly survived, possibly because its mission is survival itself -- not economic survival, but human survival.

Aidmatrix, as described on its website, "helps charitable organizations alleviate human suffering by mobilizing resources and orchestrating the right aid for the right people at the right time."

This web-based effort is said to mobilize more than
a billion dollars in aid annually, working with more than 35,000 charities worldwide.

A PR person sent me a note recently reminding me about the good work Aidmatrix does, noting that "Using Aidmatrix?s supply chain technology, relief agencies can view real-time inventory and can order items quickly and efficiently. In addition, relief agencies can electronically link to corporate donors to locate needed items. The result is that less is wasted and more people receive aid. The same systems that save millions of dollars for companies and help them improve their bottom line now help those struggling get more of the aid and services they so desperately need."

It's nice to see that this supply chain stuff we talk about has applications that go well beyond the corporate bottomline.

About the Author

Dave Blanchard Blog | Senior Editor

Focus: Supply Chain

Email: [email protected]

Follow on Twitter @supplychainDave

Call: 216-931-9794

Contributing Editor Dave Blanchard provides the IndustryWeek audience his expertise in lean supply chain, reporting on topics from logistics, procurement and inventory management to warehousing and distribution. He also specializes in business finance news and analysis, writing on such topics as corporate finance and tax, cost management, governance, risk and compliance, and budgeting and reporting.

Dave is also the chief editor of Penton Media’s Business Finance and editorial director of Material Handling & Logistics.

With over 25 years of experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2010), and is a frequent speaker at industry events. Dave is an award-winning journalist and has been twice named one of the nation’s top columnists by the American Society of Business Publications Editors.

Dave received his B.A. in English from Northern Illinois University, and was a high school teacher prior to his joining the publishing industry. He is married and has two daughters.