Seasonal events that cause spikes in demand no longer are limited to holidays. Handling these peaks without adding labor requires automation, but companies worry about the cost. Lance Anderson of automation systems manufacturer Beumer Corp. shows how better use of equipment can generate the ROI that companies need.

Rapid changes in the health care industry are impacting supply chain planning and execution. Philip Profeta, vice president of supply chain operations at Baylor, Scott & White Health Care, discusses the implications.

Companies that view transportation management as a core competency with a strategic impact approach technology acquisitions as investments and not merely as costs, says Mike Joseph, director of business development at LeanLogistics. Joseph discusses how this mindset is reflected in other supply chain trends.

Customer value and safe operations always comes first at Sunny Delight, but the company also keeps a keen eye on costs. Kevin Singletary discusses steps to the perfect service/cost balance.

An integrated setting for managing demand, supply and inventory involves working with people as much as with technology and information, says Todd Gallant of VF Corp. He explains how the Timberland division of VF is improving collaboration and communication among its associates up and down the supply chain.

From defense to medical, nLIGHT makes very bright lasers that have applications across a swath of industries. Corporate master planner Arvind Arumbakkam discusses the value of S&OP in this high-tech, build-to-order environment.

When Fujitsu noticed diminishing returns in its ongoing efforts to improve forecast accuracy, it adopted a new strategy of product segmentation, changing inventory policies for difficult to forecast items. Barry Chapman of Fujitsu explains how this strategy was implemented and the benefits that the company is reaping.

Data from sources like social media, along with powerful analytic software, are giving companies insights into customer buying habits that never before were possible, says Raj Devarajan of Symphony Analytics. He discusses this and other implications that big data holds for supply chain management.