China's home-grown C919 passenger jet completed its long-delayed maiden flight last week, a major first step for Beijing as it looks to raise its profile in the global aviation market and boost high-tech manufacturing at home.

For General Electric Co. and its rivals expanding their manufacturing operations using 3-D printing, Europe is emerging as a dominant source of the latest technologies.

Perhaps the most overworked word in the supply chain management lexicon is "visibility." Yet it's difficult to overstate the importance of a view into what's going on in the supply chain. After all, you can't source, make, move, store, deliver, measure or improve what you can't see. At the same time, the value of supply chain visibility is lessened if it isn't comprehensive — encompassing the supply chain from one end to the other, from upstream to downstream.

The first quarter has ended, yet your company has yet to get its arms around how to leverage technology to compete, remain in business and improve the customer experience. Let's explore some key recommendations that all businesses should be considering as they embark on the ever-changing business technology landscape.

It seems everywhere you look, traditional original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI). Ford recently announced its plans to invest $1bn over the next five years in Argo AI, a start-up formed just in December whose focus is the development of autonomous vehicles. Similarly, last year GM invested $1bn when it acquired Cruise Automation, another AI start-up.

In line with the hyper growth of e-commerce activity there, Amazon is expanding its operations in India by adding seven new fulfillment centers. MoneyControl.com reported that Amazon India plans to invest $5bn in its facilities by the end of June.