A conversation with Mohan Balachandran , vice president-consumer industries, at i2 Technologies, Dallas.

Inventory optimization solutions give companies a new weapon to combat the layers of safety stock that often plague complex, multi-echelon supply chains.

Despite increased congestion, higher costs and more demanding consumers throughout the EU, the logistics-savvy Netherlands again has proved that it is the right choice for global companies looking for a European base of distribution operations.