The TrueCommerce EDI (electronic data interchange) Solutions Group of HighJump Software has partnered with NumberCruncher.com, a vendor of inventory and order-management software for QuickBooks users.

Analyst Insight: The need for speed, along with margin pressures, is causing food and beverage distributors to look for ways to achieve greater efficiencies in the warehouse. The continued growth of the "long tail" that are slow movers combined with a scarcity of available labor and the complexity of route-stop sequencing makes automation a good option. But to justify investments you have to look beyond the labor savings alone. – Frank Jewell, Food and Beverage Industry Leader, Fortna Inc.

XPO Logistics Inc., a freight brokerage and transportation services provider, has acquired UX Specialized Logistics, a North American provider of last-mile logistics services for retail chains and e-commerce companies.

Analyst Insight: Though logistics in China has historically been resistant to change, improvements in express delivery will have a noticeable impact in 2015 due to the rapid growth of e-commerce, food safety concerns, and government measures. The limited supply of land for logistics purposes will affect warehousing costs, and the extra cost will drive the need for storage efficiency. Manufacturing will see modest expansion and gradual migration out of China to lower cost countries. – Jim Serstad, Managing Director, Tompkins Asia

Echo Global Logistics Inc. has acquired all of the assets of Xpress Solutions Inc.

Companies are finally beginning to take advantage of labor-management systems in their distribution centers. Lou Cerny, vice president of Sedlak Consultants, describes the rate of adoption, and advises on why, when and how to implement LMS in your own operation.