Qualcomm Inc. is releasing two new applications for its Mobile Computing Platform 50 (MCP50), available in the summer of 2012.

MobileLink, the global positioning system-based application for managing mobile workers from Descartes Systems Group, is now available on the Android operating system.

"Where and how should the forecast organization report?" That's the number-one question that Lora Cecere, partner with the Altimeter Group, is asked as an analyst. Her answer: "It needs to report to an organization that's neutral."

GT Nexus and Kinaxis have formed a partnership to provide customers with a unified, cloud-based planning and execution platform.

Challenge: Leading Carrier-Class Network Equipment provider purchased a former competitor's optical line of business (fiber optic networks). They needed to integrate all products, services, support & systems (CRMs, operating systems, etc.) while maintaining their high service levels for their combined global client bases.

A "V"-shaped business cycle is one that is characterized by a large market contraction, followed by a sharp and equally large expansion. Indeed, some companies during the Great Recession saw double-digit sales declines followed by commensurate increases. "It almost feels like you're on a roller coaster," says Marianne K. Gatten, director of strategic planning and business development with Emerson. "You're taking that first hill, scared of what's going to happen next." Managing the sales and operations planning (S&OP) process in such an environment can be extremely difficult.

Canadian logistics firm J.D. Smith and Sons has completed a six-month trial of radio frequency identification technology to track the loading, shipping and receipt of bagged pet food for a pet-product retailer. The company is now offering an RFID-based service to track its customers' goods, based on reads of RFID tags embedded in J.D. Smith's pallets.

CargoSmart Ltd., a vendor of global shipping and logistics applications delivered under the software-as-a-service (SaaS) model, has launched business-process outsourcing services for ocean carriers and logistics service providers (LSPs).

Challenge: One of the largest distributors of wine and spirits in the USoperates in a tightly regulated industry with outdated business processes and systems, and was challenged by a lack of visibility to inbound orders from its global vendors and suppliers. In addition, the company's manual order and shipment tracking processes frequently led to significant delays and difficulty in determining accurate inventory levels and expected arrival dates, leading to reactive expediting and additional intra-company transportation moves.

Accellos Inc. has developed version 6.4 of AccellosOne Warehouse, the vendor's warehouse-management system software.