Cisco Systems earned the top spot in this year's Supply Chain Innovators competition by transforming its reverse logistics operation from a non-value-adding cost center to a profit generating program that enhances the satisfaction of both internal and external customers. Cisco's rigorous, innovative approach takes something from both marketing and finance to treat returns as a virtual business.

With an economy that is clearly headed south, forecasting and demand planning will require new thinking, processes and technologies to keep supply chains running smoothly and efficiently.