Analyst Insight: The economy and reductions in demand have focused priority on tactical initiatives within the supply chain. In 2010 there will be renewed focus beyond securing distribution efficiencies and renegotiating transportation rates (2009's top actions). As we exit the recession, companies are encouraged to embrace a 4-step strategy for transformational change.

Analyst Insight: Today's transportation organizations are being affected on all sides by rising costs and demands. Top performers in this economy are extending beyond the basics of domestic and international systems and beginning to create and extend automated processes to address advanced capabilities like dynamic optimization and the daily use of analytic tools to monitor events and communicate and collaborate on a near real-time basis.

Analyst Insight: With online retail sales projected to reach 17 percent of total company sales in 2010 and double-digit growth expected each year through 2012, retailers must take measures to offer next-generation retail. That would create a model that focuses on consumers and their experiences up to and through the purchase, or moment of truth. While most retailers have invested in some form of online capabilities, few (7 percent) have built the appropriate supply chain infrastructure to support a true, seamless, cross-channel experience for the customer.

Analyst Insight: Last year's economic pressures were among the most severe ever exerted on the modern supply chain. In response, many organizations are searching for ways to cut costs from their operations, either by reevaluating their IT infrastructure or by reengineering their business processes.