Analyst Insight: Selection of service providers in the area of reverse logistics is getting more complex for the companies that are following the "triple bottom line" philosophy. Additional criteria in the selection process are required to ensure that the relationship between the customer and the service provider increases sustainability efforts and enhances the value of the network both upstream and downstream.

Analyst Insight: From a strategic perspective, warehouse managers are faced with balancing competing objectives. They need to get orders out of the door faster, keep inventory moving amid fluctuating demand, and minimize costs. It will require not only process efficiencies within the four walls but better collaboration with both upstream and downstream partners to keep these competing pressures in check.

Analyst Insight: Not sensing the upturn in the economy is almost as bad as being hit with the downturn. Value chains have slashed inventories in their effort to remain cash-positive. Some are already scrambling as their sales pick up but their inventory coffers are empty. It's not surprising that sales and operations planning initiatives have grown in importance.

Analyst Insight: Continued globalization and increasing leverage of third-party services for manufacturing, distribution and returns keeps the warehouse and logistics sector strong. Though the growth of warehouse space slowed due to poor sales of consumer and commercial goods in the U.S. over the last year, technology sales continue to thrive though growth for some was not robust in the last year.

Analyst Insight: While the economic slowdown has adversely impacted the volumes of global sourcing and product distribution, global recovery will continue to fuel expansion of importing and exporting worldwide. For companies that source and distribute internationally - more than 80 percent of all companies that make or sell products - supply chain managers need to continue improving their knowledge and processes for effective global supply chain management.

Analyst Insight: Despite the fact executives downgraded risk levels in our recent risk survey, the impact of current economic conditions is long lasting. Global supply chains will continue to face major risks in 2010 and beyond. As such, designing a supply chain risk management strategy is still critical.