Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/932105
6 ista views • December 2017/January 2018 • www.ista.org Inside ISTA Headquarters ISTA's Advocate Research and Value Delivery Program Updates The ISTA Advocate Research & Value Delivery Program has been active conducting research and adding new members. With the recent addition of LAB, Inc. as Leader member the Program's 23 Advocates have pledged $1,750,000 in support of the Program's goal: "To conduct research and data collection that improves testing and design methodologies to keep pace with the rapidly evolving global supply chain and enhance the knowledge of existing channels resulting in the further minimization of product damage while lowering waste, cost and the environmental footprint of packaging." On the Research front projects have been completed and reports have been distributed to Council members of the transport modes, storage, and handling methods involved in the distribution of CPGs, including "last segments", in China and India. Phase 1 of our eCommerce project, whose goal was to Map packaged-product handling within e-retailer's distribution systems to determine similarities and where hazards exist, has been completed and we are looking forward to Phase 2, data collection to determine if adjustments to current, or a new test protocol needs to be developed. We have awarded the Ideation phase of our Eliminate Over-Packaging project to ITENE and the Phase 1 of our Unit Load Stability project to both Clemson and Michigan State University. For additional details see the list below. Number RFP-0001 RFP-0002 RFP-0003 RFP-0004 RFP-0005 Project Name & Description Eliminate Over-Packaging - develop and validate a new technique that quantifies how far beyond a chosen performance and confidence level a package is able to protect the product it contains. Research of Transit Damage Figures - to assess damage levels experienced during distribution for various commodities shipped via various modes and quantifying their monetary impact in an effort to prioritize ISTA's work. Measurement and Multi-Axis Simulation of Unit Load Stability Transportation Hazards - to collect data on the motions and forces to which unit loads are subjected during transport yielding tools that can assist with package and unit load design. Develop Test Protocol to predict package performance in e-Commerce Retailer and Consolidator Shipping Systems - Identify common handling processes for all eCommerce channels and transportation modes to develop a recommended method for replicating this unique supply chain channel. Phase 1 - Mapping packaged-product handling within eCommerce retailer distribution systems to determine similarities and where hazards exist prior to Phase 2 - Data Collection. Distribution Environment Data Collection – Phase 1 - documentation of the transport modes, storage, and handling methods involved in the distribution of CPGs, including "last segments", in predetermined regions. Status ITENE was awarded Phase 1, Ideation and are in the final stages of discovery of prior art in this area as well as the identification of Subject Matter Experts (SME's) who will process the discovery materials and make recommendations of the best methods to further explore in Phase 2- Experimental Design. We have Limited initial scope to LTL mode in order to take a manageable step. The process has been progressing slowly as we need a broad enough base to assure the information is able to be de-identified and reflective of actual experience. A task team has been formed to accomplish this and/or make recommendations back to the Council. RFP with a North American scope was released and both Clemson University and Michigan State University have been awarded Phase 1- Field data collection and analysis. Chainalytics has completed the Mapping of the relevant systems and have grouped them for further observation and data collection in Phase 2. The final reports for Phase 1, Observational Studies of hazards, for both RIT for China and Cal Poly for India have been delivered and distributed to all Advocate Council members. The priority of Phase 2, Data Collection, will be determined in 1Q 2018.