To be a corporate I.T. professional today, you have to be obsessed with cybersecurity. A line on your resume should read "paranoid tendencies." Because somebody really is out to get you - or, at least, your company's proprietary information.

The most important benefit of supply chain visibility is enabling management by exception, says Sean Riley of Software AG. He explains what is driving renewed interest in this area and outlines steps to achieving real-time alerts and automated responses.

Competition within the supply chain industry is fierce. Internal executives, third-party providers and industry consultants all have their own special sauce strategies to navigate the twists and turns of the supply chain. Touting a company's strength is important for shareholders and marketing efforts. But value can be generated by recognizing operational deficiencies, and seeking out partner companies with complementary competencies. By this initiative, both companies capture or retain the ultimate prize - the customer. Sometimes a company's best choice for a partner is the least expected or desired - a competitor.

UPS released its annual Sustainability Report announcing that while the total number of packages UPS shipped in 2012 increased, the company reduced its total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, according to the carrier's annual sustainability report.