The future is inherently uncertain, but there are a number of information-based systems and plans that companies are advised to consider implementing if they want to manage risk.

Traffic-flow imbalances and customer drift are among the effects caused by the continuing weakness of the American dollar and the high cost of jet fuel. Perhaps there are ways to rise above the challenges.

A specialty-foods processor finds that an automated system can mitigate or eliminate some of the challenges of manually operated cold storage warehousing, such as low productivity among personnel, higher rates of damage to equipment and product, and costly energy loss.

Hundreds of millions of pounds of paper products move through American Pad & Paper's warehouse each year. Its 3PL implemented a new WMS, and now the manufacturer's picking and distribution is paperless.

Sunsweet wanted a full suite of automated demand, inventory and supply planning functionality. With the volume of this year's "prune plum" crop significantly down, the ability to match supply with demand couldn't have come at a better time.

Hollywood studios know that box-office receipts are greatest in the first weeks of a film's release, and the same is true for their video sales divisions. MGM Home Entertainment's VMI initiative ensure that its retailers are stocked (and replenished) with the latest videos.