What's the difference between the terms "on demand," "in the cloud" and "software as a service"? Mike Joseph, director of business development with LeanLogistics, provides the answers.

Unleashed Software, a developer of inventory-management applications delivered through a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model, has integrated with Intuit's QuickBooks Online business and financial-management software.

Vendors "are seeing the cloud as the opportunity for the future and are looking at revenue models and thinking of offering a subscription-based service to reduce clients' CAPEX," according to Jagdish Rebello, senior manager for cloud and computer electronics at IHS. "Microsoft's doing that, Oracle's trying to do that, Google's doing that, and Salesforce.com is seeing explosive growth."

For all its promise of lower cost and easier management of software applications, cloud technology has yet to be fully embraced by supply chain managers.

Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Inc. and Microsoft Corp. have jointly launched an initiative to help retailers manage omnichannel customer engagements.

Think of the typical corporate merger as the meeting of two ocean liners. It's tough enough to combine the crews. But how do you mash together two engine rooms?