In the world of supply chains, signing on a new partner or trading partner has typically marked the beginning of a marathon. Whether by electronic data interchange, EDIFACT, cXML, ebXML, value added networks, portals or the rest of the alphabet soup of connectivity approaches, a great deal of time and effort is required to get trading partners’ systems aligned - even if trading hubs are involved. Every company has a different system, and different processes for getting things done. For a company with thousands of trading partners, imagine how much in resources it gobbles up just to manage and keep every partnership aligned. Of course, cloud changes all that right?

While the buzz around mobile transactions is currently high, it shouldn't be considered as a check-box exercise when evaluating solutions. Mobility for the sake of mobility doesn't make financial or operational sense. To really deliver value, mobile transactions should be a tangible, measurable part of an overall improvement strategy for your supply chain operations.

Research reveals vast age differences in U.S. consumers' attitudes toward mobile payments, with Generations Y and Z - often referred to as Millennials - twice as likely to view them as faster, easier or more efficient than other types of transactions. These younger consumers also show more confidence in the security of mobile payments - although Generations Y and X are actually more concerned than Baby Boomers about the possibility of a personal information breach via mobile payments.

The recent introduction of Apple Pay was widely described as the dawn of a new era for smartphone payments. But within a week, two major pharmacy chains, Rite Aid and CVS, rejected Apple’s version of the future: Both disabled Apple Pay (as well as other tap-to-pay mobile payments systems Google Wallet and Softcard).