Analyst Insight: The performance benefits of mobile devices and voice technologies in order fulfillment are well-established, and their usage is a hallmark of Best-in-Class performance. RFID, however, is still maturing in this space. What it does provide, especially for manufacturing and transportation, is added traceability both inside and outside the warehouse.

Analyst Insight: Simply handling storage and order fulfillment more efficiently than their clients could in-house is not enough. In difficult economic times, 3PLs are being called upon-and are uniquely situated-to take on additional tasks such as kitting, light assembly, and custom labeling, that will ease the burden on their clients' operations.

Analyst Insight: With broad and expandable carrier networks, outsourced service providers seem well positioned to either make educated decisions as a provider of outsourced carrier selection services or to serve as an educator of shippers, to inform them of available options and potentially provide competitive performance information.