Analyst Insight: For many supply chain executives the term analytics is synonymous with reporting and Big Data is a new buzz word. However, when leaders harness new forms of analytics coupled with an understanding of Big Data opportunities good things happen. Here we share some insights from three studies that illuminate the opportunity. - Lora Cecere, CEO and Founder, Supply Chain Insights

There is a serious and growing talent shortage in the supply chain profession. Art van Bodegraven of Discovery Executive Services discusses what's behind the talent gap and and how to address it.

Analyst Insight: Retailers are starting to use brick-and-mortar stores as distribution nodes, to connect demand with inventory in the most flexible and cost-effective way. Ship-from-store enables them to leverage their entire inventory for higher sales, better margins and improved service. It allows them to offer omnichannel customers access to a broader array of products, and helps to offset the impact of an imperfect forecast. - Adam Mullen, Apparel Industry Leader, Fortna Inc.

GE Intelligent Platforms says updates to its suite of Proficy Manufacturing software are designed specifically to meet the strategic objectives of today's manufacturers as they transform their operations to meet the new realities of business potential enabled by the so-called Industrial Internet.

Moving a box from A to B is much the same in any country, but paperwork, processes, terminology and regulations vary greatly, presenting a barrier to global TMS rollouts. Elie Hiller of Transwide discusses ways to meet this challenge.

Big data is the all the rage and getting tons of press as it has allowed manufacturers and supply chain executives to create new and compelling data-driven strategies that help them compete, innovate and capture wallet-share. Perhaps fueled in part by the likes of leading database vendors or system integrators (SIs) looking to cash in on high-dollar predictive analytic and scoring engagements, big data represents many things to many people, but one of the most pragmatic applications is mastering all the data elements used in a business infrastructure. The term commonly used for this process is master data management, or MDM.