Every business that hopes to successfully compete beyond the grassroots level to reach the global, modern stage is being redefined by digital technologies.

The retail and grocery verticals have undergone enormous transformation in the past ten years, and Home Delivery World USA 2018 apprises industry attendees of such developments as drones, augmented reality, innovations in supply chain and grocery e-commerce.

The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) and SupplyChainBrain welcome your entries for the 14th Annual Supply Chain Innovation Award (SCIA) competition.

People are our greatest asset. We've heard this – and similar sayings – for years. Now, however, leading firms are actually putting this into practice, and are reaping rewards for doing so. Going into 2018, people are still a critical link in the supply chain. -Donnie Williams, Asst. Professor of Logistics & Supply Chain Management, and Karl B. Manrodt, Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, both at Georgia College & State University

Technologies that were previously considered futuristic, overly complex, and unable to be financially justified are becoming mainstream. This is no longer "emerging technology" -- it is here, it works, and it is now being implemented, changing the supply chain. Warehouses, distribution centers and fulfillment centers are accelerating their adoption of newer technology solutions. It is time for executives to reevaluate their initial assumptions across material handling and technology solutions. -David Meyers, Principal, Tompkins International

The ability to reduce risk for companies that use 3PLs can be narrowed down to the type of relationship that exists between the two parties. Typically, companies opt for a "vendorship," in which they simply purchase a service at an optimal price. Ideally, they should have a partnership with their 3PL providing them a seat at the table where the company's strategy is developed. -Daniel Sears, Senior Consultant, Tompkins International