Analyst Insight: Information technology tools have played a large role in advancing the efficiency of product development over the past 20 years. In terms of helping organizations opening lines of communication and better integrating product development with essential supply chain and manufacturing processes, however, the impact has been less impressive. – Pierfrancesco Manenti, Vice President, Research, SCM World

Analyst Insight: Recent developments in PLM technology have increased substantially the potential for sharing of product data throughout the extended enterprise. Access to such technology has historically been highly variable, especially among smaller members of the supply chain. However, exploitation of cloud-based computing infrastructures, together with major strides in usability are "democratizing" PLM and making it much more accessible. As a result, accurate, up-to-date product information can be made available right across the supply chain. – Tony Christian, Director at Cambashi

What will the typical factory look like five years from now?

Retail demand planning is, to a great extent, a game of numbers. But the store that relies entirely on hard statistics is likely to be in for an unpleasant surprise.

The food industry has a lot on its plate these days.