The concerns and priorities differ somewhat in each sphere, but some providers feel they can make a case for managing each type of shipment with a single, comprehensive system.

Radio frequency identification is accelerating a trend to move business intelligence to the edge of the enterprise. It is a trend few companies will escape and understanding the infrastructure is essential to success.

The impetus to examine and tweak business processes may stem from pressures from government regulation, Wall Street or any of a number of market forces. Regardless, those who have no BPM initiative are at a competitive disadvantage.

A conversation with Larry Lapide, research director of Supply Chain 2020, a project of the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics.

Even the best companies forget that their supply chains are only as strong as the transportation system that supports them. Unfortunately, capacity constraints, high costs and other problems portend serious transportation problems. The answer is having the right transportation executive on staff who understands the legal and operational challenges ahead.

Excessive use of the word has made collaboration a tired concept in the minds of many. But not with these manufacturers, vendors, and industry experts. • Sixth in the Best Practices series.

With capacity tightening, the pendulum has swung in carriers' direction. But there are still ways in which shippers can cut costs and assert control over transportation.

Every company in the hyper-competitive automotive sector is challenged to continuously reduce costs and add value without decimating razor-thin margins. The supply-chain is a target in all of their sights.