Supply chain performance has a big impact on consumers' perception of a company and its brand, says Bill Tomasi of IBS. He suggests that companies need to more actively incorporate SCM into their brand protection strategies.

Companies continue to lose money by shipping air as a result of packaging that doesn't fit the product, says Tom Blanck, leader of the packaging optimization practice at Chainalytics. Blanck discusses optimization techniques that can save money and improve productivity.

Inventory optimization: Old in concept, but new in application. Chris Russell, vice president of Logility, discusses trends in the use of the practice, especially from a multi-echelon perspective.

JDA Software recently formed a new global 3PL business unit to focus on sales and product development for this market sector. Unit leader Peter van Merode discusses the strategy behind this move and shares views on the global 3PL market.

Challenge: A global marketer of PC peripherals, which are manufactured in Asia, was distributing products in the U.S. from a company-operated New Jersey DC. For the first time in its 40-year history, the company decided to outsource fulfillment to a 3PL and chose Weber Logistics to handle container transloading and distribution from a new West Coast facility.

Challenge: A fast-growing marketer of storage solutions for crafting accessories was faced with a dilemma. Its logistics partner decided to close a warehouse and the company was told it had to move out in 30 days. Weber Logistics was chosen to manage a rapid and seamless transition to a new distribution center.

UPS has developed a network of Field Stocking Locations to handle medical device shipments.