Mar 23, 2021|
JD to Adopt NFC-enabled Flexible Packaging Technology
by Yuchuan Wang
An NFC-enabled millet product begins to be offered to Chinese consumers this month on JD.com, according to a spokesperson from JD Farm, JD’s smart agriculture team.
“For the first time, NFC (Near Field Communication) technology is being applied commercially on flexible packaging products in China,” said Dr. Hongwei Wang, the tech leader for this project at JD Logistics. The packaging was jointly designed by Amcor China, a leader in developing and producing responsible packaging and JD Logistics, for the JD Farm-branded 2 kg Yangfei Millet (which literally means sheep fertilizer millet) product.
Thanks to Amcor’s advanced manufacturing technique and JD’s NFC solution, consumers can obtain information such as origin, inspection reports, production videos and more, in a process that is as easy as holding their smart phones with the JD app near the packaging.
NFC technology enables the contactless exchange of data over short distances, e.g., Apple Pay is one of the applications of such technology. Despite the vast application in finance, traffic and other industries, it is still challenging and rare to apply NFC tags in flexible packaging, which is easily bent to break the connection between chip and antenna which are inside the tag.
“Once NFC is commercially applied in flexible packaging, it will play a vital role to change the experience of product authentication and tracing, as the tag integrated on packaging cannot be replaced or reused, in contrast to an attachment of QR code or barcode,” said Wang.
“This technology has put forward higher requirements for the manufacturing of flexible packaging to make sure it won’t influence the functionality and effectiveness, in addition to being user-friendly in design,” said Wang. “This is the reason why NFC tags were widely used for rigid packaging products such as wine, rather than food which are commonly packaged in plastics.”
Actually, unlimited multi-media information can be included in NFC tags, which will bring an interactive experience between consumers and brands that could benefit brand reputation and influence purchasing decisions. NFC will also enable products to be connected to the whole IoT network. This would make it possible for food packaging to automatically alert consumers via smart ends such as smart phones or smart refrigerators when the product is reaching its expiry date.
Apart from the application to the consumption end, JD Logistics is also researching in applying NFC technology to warehousing and distribution and more. With the cost of NFC tags continuously lowering, more and more NFC integrated packaging will emerge and is expected to make a difference to broader industries.
Apr 25, 2024|
JD Logistics and MINISO Announce Expanded Partnership to Enhance Logistics Efficiency
JD Logistics (also known as JINGDONG Logistics), a leading global logistics provider, recently announced the expansion of its partnership with MINISO, the renowned household and consumer goods retailer. This collaboration, which began in 2022 with operations in Australia, now extends to MINISO’s network in Malaysia.
JD Logistics’ robust global supply chain infrastructure includes nearly 90 bonded, direct mail, and overseas warehouses across key markets such as the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, France, the United Kingdom, Australia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Committed to replicating its proven supply chain management expertise from China in international markets, JD Logistics provides extensive support to a broad spectrum of clients, including international enterprises and Chinese brands expanding overseas.
MINISO’s diverse product range and rapid restocking requirements, combined with its strategic store locations in bustling commercial areas, present unique logistical challenges. These include critical delivery lead times and the need for off-hours operations to ensure uninterrupted customer experiences. JD Logistics has effectively met these demands through reliable and adaptable warehousing and fulfillment service solutions.
Notably, the trust built with MINISO has led some store managers to entrust their store keys to JD Logistics’ drivers to facilitate smooth and timely deliveries. Among them is JD Logistics driver Nick Yang, responsible for delivering goods to all MINISO stores in Sydney. Yang’s daily schedule involves commuting between JD Logistics’ warehouse and approximately 10 MINISO outlets throughout the city.
Over the next three years, JD Logistics will continue to develop its comprehensive global supply chain logistics network, which integrates overseas warehouses, international transshipment hubs, local distribution networks, and transnational transportation networks.
This partnership is not only a testament to JD Logistics’ proven expertise and global operational capabilities but also underscores the commitment of both companies to foster innovation in supply chain management for retail operations worldwide.
Apr 18, 2024|
JD.com Awarded 2024 INFORMS Prize for Excellence in Operations Research and Analytics
JD.com is honored to announce that it has been awarded the 2024 INFORMS Prize. This recognition makes JD.com the first Asia-based enterprise to receive the award, highlighting its pioneering use of advanced analytics and operations research/management sciences (OR/MS) within its business operations.
The INFORMS Prize is awarded an organization that has repeatedly applied the principles of advanced analytics and OR/MS in pioneering, varied, novel, and lasting ways. Previous recipients include Walmart, Wayfair, Amazon, UPS, Booz Allen Hamilton, BNSF Railway, Walt Disney Company, U.S. Air Force, General Motors, Intel, HP, IBM, Ford, Procter & Gamble and GE Research.
Speaking on behalf of the selection committee, Mehmet Gumus, 2024 INFORMS Prize committee chair, remarked: “JD.com is showcasing data science as a source of business success and a necessary element to achieve customer satisfaction with continuous and dedicated practice. JD.com is truly deserving of this prestigious prize, and the entire O.R. and analytics community joins INFORMS in thanking them for their priceless contributions to the field and the business world.”
JD.com’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and customer service through OR/MS has been integral to its success. The company has developed an independently managed intelligent supply chain system that utilizes cutting-edge operations research algorithms to optimize warehouse management and logistics operations. This includes the operation of hundreds of intelligent warehouses and dozens of “Asia No. 1” intelligent logistics parks.
“We are honored to accept the INFORMS Prize and will continue to be steadfast in our dedication to leveraging the transformative potential of operations research,” said Sandy Xu, CEO of JD.com. “Our company’s supply chain not only aims to lead the industry, but also enhance the efficiency and well-being of our entire ecosystem.”
By the end of the fourth quarter of 2023, JD’s supply chain infrastructure assets had grown to RMB 153.8 billion, an increase of 16% year-on-year. Managing over 10 million self-operated SKUs, JD has achieved a global leading average inventory turnover of 30.3 days. This operational prowess enables JD to fulfill 95% of retail orders within 24 hours, significantly enhancing customer satisfaction and setting new standards in the industry.
JD Joins Appliance & Electronics World Expo 2021
