Analyst Insight: Software has become extremely effective in tracking and tracing the smallest detail. In actuality, enterprise software vendors have incorporated recall management and best practices into their software. Organizations often lack the necessary policies and procedures to facilitate reverse logistics processes, but software is not one of the deficiencies. -- Keean Persaud, Managing Director, Eval-Source

Analyst Insight: During 2012, high-tech industry executives recognized that optimizing supply chain operations is directly related to profitable growth, higher operating margins and capital efficiency - each of which helps create value. While new products matter, factors such as selection, price, availability and service also enhance the buying experience. - Gene Tyndall, Executive Vice President, Tompkins International

Analyst Insight: The worldwide logistics market has experienced a growth rate of approximately 7 percent annually, which is notable given logistics costs average about 12 percent of total revenues globally. Of this total, an average of 46 percent is spent through outsourced relationships, which drove total spend in North America alone to $134bn in 2011. Given this growth and the increasing complexities of global trade, selecting the appropriate services to outsource and structure mutually beneficial relationships with logistics providers is critical. - Aaron Pernat, Senior Manager, and Gary Allen, Executive Director, both in Ernst & Young's Supply Chain Advisory Practice

Research released by Voxware indicates two thirds of consumers return online or phone purchases because of retailer error - usually delivering an item in the wrong size or color - and repeat business suffers as a result. On top of that, the returns process is flawed in many cases.