CaroTrans International, a global non-vessel operating common carrier and ocean freight consolidator, has added a direct, weekly less-than-containerload (LCL) export service from San Francisco to Japan.

Transportation managers are expected to respond to inquiries regardless of where they are or what they are doing when the question is asked. In order to respond to this flow of questions, managers must be able to access detailed shipment information that traditionally have not been available through mobile technology. This, in turn, requires systems developers to design and implement mobile information platforms that can be easily accessed from the road.

China's e-commerce market continues to skyrocket with estimates of 2012 B2C sales likely to top $107bn. However, this growth has placed pressure on the logistics infrastructure resulting in delivery issues. Not only is delivery a problem, but according to 360Buy, one of the largest Chinese e-commerce providers, "E-commerce is developing quickly but fulfillment and logistics are the key bottlenecks."

After working from 2007 to 2011 to transform its own supply chain, Celestica took what it learned to the market, offering managed supply chain services that complement its contract manufacturing business. Erwin Hermans, vice president of supply chain solutions, explains Celestica's strategy.

Tokyo-based retailer BEAMS Co. Ltd. has incorporated radio frequency identification technology at five B:MING Life Stores that it recently opened in Japan. The stores are employing RFID technology for both tracking inventory and improving efficiency at the point of sale.

ICAT Logistics has launched version 2.0 of its customized software for transportation and logistics management.

Research released by Voxware indicates two thirds of consumers return online or phone purchases because of retailer error - usually delivering an item in the wrong size or color - and repeat business suffers as a result. On top of that, the returns process is flawed in many cases.