Panjiva is now providing access to its trade data via an application programming interface (API).

Companies are looking more towards chief purchasing officers to help them understand supply chain risks, while firms which are collaborating and sharing information about their suppliers are reducing the cost of due diligence for themselves and making their business more competitive.

James Welch, CEO of YRC Worldwide, one of the largest LTL carriers, discusses his views on technology, pricing and other issues and challenges facing the industry.

Did you spend too much on software? Did you buy something that you didn't need? Are you failing fully to utilize the systems that you did purchase? You're mired in the "software money pit," says Matt Cook, director of business solutions with Danone North America.

Although U.S. companies still trail their European counterparts in using the Chinese currency renminbi for cross-border deals, the frequency has nearly doubled in the past year, according to a recent HSBC study, as reported by the publication Treasury & Risk.

By many accounts, as the economy adds jobs, more small businesses are looking to borrow money, and more banks are eager to lend it - at least to the right borrowers.