With robots like BigDog and the Terminator-like Atlas, Google's robotics efforts have been a smash success - if you measure by YouTube views and buzz. Amazon's work has been more behind scenes (apart from the widely discussed plans for delivery drones). But Amazon's energies in robotics have also had a more immediate payoff than Google's "moonshots." The differing philosophies illustrate how Amazon and Google have taken starkly different paths so far in the race to automate the physical world.

The rapid evolution and growth of internet-connected "smart" devices and systems - from phones and tablets to commercial truck telematics networks - is exposing businesses and consumers alike to a higher risk of cyber-attack, one that small businesses may not prepared to meet, according to a new survey.

Automation is the buzzword of the moment when it comes to distribution. But many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) feel that automation is cost prohibitive - that it's something for the big guys. An investment in automation, however, doesn't have to be an all or nothing proposition.

We hear a lot about how consumers' changing lifestyles and shopping habits are impacting retail supply chains in areas like demand planning and inventory management. Much less is said, however, regarding the impact of these trends at the very end of the supply chain, where professional drivers deliver the last mile.

Amber Road, a provider of global trade management solutions, says its proprietary process for collecting, translating, interpreting and updating country-specific trade regulations has achieved ISO 9001:2008 recertification.

Consumer demand for more fresh, ready-to-eat products is driving development of new replenishment models based on smaller, more-frequent deliveries, versatile truck drivers and the latest temperature-controlled trailer technology.

Amazon is taking aim at delivery services like Postmates with the launch of a program called Flex., which calls for drivers to make $18 to $25 per hour delivering packages to users of Amazon Prime Now using their own cars and phones.