New government regulations of the drug industry drove the need for a more responsive, feature-rich and flexible EDI environment - but that created opportunities for one pharmaceutical company.

It only makes sense that The 3M Company, with a business model resting almost entirely upon technology, would eventually get around to applying it to the supply chain.

The blockchain has emerged from the shadows. Now it might hold the key to transforming global supply chains.

Analyst Insight: Visibility in the supply chain has long been a challenge that supply-chain managers have struggled with, especially when it relates to assets in motion. Fortunately, we now live in a world of constant connectivity, and with that the emergence of applications that enable true real-time visibility to assets or inventory in motion through the support of the Internet of Things (IoT). - John Santagate, research manager, IDC

Companies today need to cut costs, speed up fulfillment processes and manage growth. All the while providing "the perfect order."

Big data is threatening to swamp small companies.

Emerson Healthcare teams with logistics service provider Geodis to level the playing field for its roster of small to medium-sized manufacturers. The program makes it possible for them to compete with big suppliers for space on retail shelves.