Companies with global supply chains - and that's just about everyone today - are looking for new IT applications that can help them to manage the flow of goods over huge distances. Brad Wyland, senior research analyst of supply chain management with Aberdeen Group, discusses how technology vendors are responding to the lengthening of supply lines and the continuing popularity of outsourced manufacturing. The internet has created a "level playing field" for partners that might not be equal in terms of technological sophistication. It has opened up new business opportunities while allowing companies to do a better job of managing risk. But the successful deployment of new technology isn't automatic - companies must understand their precise needs, and devise detailed schedules for rolling out applications on a global scale. [Run Time: (Min) 12:40]