The value of an efficient supply chain and its use as a competitive lever can only come when it is in continuous alignment with changing business conditions and market trends. This is harder than ever to make happen in today's volatile business environment, characterized by tremendous competitive pressures and ongoing demand for better, faster innovations and customized products. The resulting shorter product life cycles add to associated supply chain risks, making supply chain management more complex and unpredictable. Supply chain owners want adaptable and agile processes that can change and adjust as need arises. Too often, corporate IT organizations find that their packaged applications don't meet their business requirements, and consequently software reconfiguration after deployment is a common challenge. Yet, surprisingly, while low-cost offshore development options have made customized software solutions affordable again, many companies continue to select out-of-the-box solutions since they provide access to best practices and the latest technological innovations.
