The coronavirus pandemic could bring about lasting changes for distributors in foodservice, technology, industrial and health care sectors, writes Magnus Meier of SAP. "Technology will be vital in helping each unique wholesale distribution sub-segment evolve so they can succeed during and after the pandemic," he writes.

Thermo Fisher Scientific has created LABScreen COVID Plus, a COVID-19 antibody test for transplant candidates and recipients that will be sold under the One Lambda brand. Separately, the company has terminated its acquisition offer for diagnostic test manufacturer Qiagen.

Lowe's will roll out four more e-commerce fulfillment centers and seven distribution sites for appliances and other bulky items, part of its $1.7 billion plan to bolster efficiency and revamp its supply chain amid higher e-commerce demand. The home improvement retailer said the expansion would make two-day delivery available to almost all Lowe's customers.

Cybersecurity has soared to the top of the priority list for high-level IT executives in recent months, finds a survey by identity management provider Hitachi ID. The reshuffling of priorities, largely as a result of the pandemic, finds many chief information officers shifting their focus away from updating on-premises infrastructure and buying new hardware.

Field sales representatives who typically visit potential prospects have had to get used to working remotely, and they need training and the right tools to succeed, writes Debbie Paul of Distribution Strategy Group. "Part of adapting to the new normal is having sales managers incentivize their sales reps for the behaviors they want to see," she writes.

Create a daily list of your "most important tasks" by selecting to-dos or projects that support your larger goals or that you've been putting off, writes Naphtali Hoff. "Odds are that, the longer you've been thinking about something, your mind is telling you that it's important enough to make this list," he writes.

Leadership is difficult enough in normal times, and the coronavirus pandemic is compounding the challenge. There's plenty of advice to help, however, and Mark Crawford explores 14 books on leadership to sharpen your skills.

Based on original research conducted in July with wholesaler-distributors across the industry, Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein of Distribution Strategy Group will reveal at 2 p.m. Eastern on Aug. 18 how distributors evaluate and respond to emerging technologies. Is AI a threat, an opportunity, or both? What about 3D printing/additive manufacturing, blockchain, cryptocurrency, and marketplaces? Find out how distributors plan to incorporate new technologies to build their competitive advantage. Register now. Sponsored by Unilog, SAP and Conexiom.

In his post for the NAW Blog Distributing Ideas, Senthil Gunasekaran, co-author of NAW's "Unlock the Power of Inventory Analytics," says that in their research, he and his co-authors analyzed distributors' crisis responses across verticals to identify evolving trends. They found that there are three key steps to managing market shifts and balancing customer service and working capital, or inventory, as we move into the new normal. Read his post.

Are you ready for the technology that is transforming distribution? With the influx of new competitors and new technologies, changes are happening at warp speed. In this NAW series of seven research reports and seven accompanying webinars in seven months, distribution expert Ian Heller will help you to gain the intelligence you need to formulate new strategies and ensure that your company thrives through this era of technology transformation. You've got seven months, so let's get started. Sponsors include Unilog, SAP and Conexiom.