As corporations turn a strategic eye on sourcing operations, they increasingly realize the need to better manage and enforce their numerous contracts. In may ways, this is old news for transportation and logistics, where contract management tools and processes already are well established, though still underused.

Is vendor-managed inventory a boon to suppliers or another problem for them to overcome? Regardless of where you come down on that question, analysts say a confluence of forces is whipping up renewed interest in VMI.

U.S.-based 3PLs are stepping up their international supply-chain capabilities to keep their customers competitive in the new global economy.

Ten best practices in supply-chain planning, culled from conversations with leading supply-chain executives, analysts and vendors - the first of a series of six "Best Practices" articles to be presented this year.

In recent years the trucking industry has experienced rapidly rising costs in a rapidly falling economy. Now, with business up and capacity down, the industry may find the leverage it needs to improve profitability.