The burgeoning supply-chain tech sector has a big new competitor. The Wall Street Journal reports that Amazon is joining the drive to bring more technology to the goods-management business with a new service through its Amazon Web Services operation.

The e-commerce behemoth is joining other big operators, including Microsoft, that are pushing into the effort to bring tighter control and efficiency to supply chains. They are joining established players like Blue Yonder, E2Open and Manhattan Associates, as well as growing operating services built into big platforms like those of SAP and Oracle. 

The technology-backed attempts to add efficiency and visibility to supply chains have accelerated during the pandemic, as disruptions highlighted gaps in the flows of everything from raw materials to finished consumer products.

Amazon has a ready audience for its software with the thousands of small- and medium-sized businesses on its third-party marketplace.