APICS, an association of supply-chain and operations-management professionals, has developed the APICS CPIM Exam Simulator.

When she entered college 20 years ago, Cheryl Dalsin didn't have a clue as to what supply-chain management was all about. It's likely that she had never heard the term. Now, she's determined to make sure that today's students aren't similarly ignorant about a promising career opportunity.

Are the doors open to women looking to pursue a career in logistics?

The latest data and analytics buzz comes from the field of advanced HR analytics, where the application of new techniques and new thinking to talent management is becoming more mainstream.

The W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University is offering a new online certificate program on the subject of supply-chain management.

Analyst Insight: The supply chain discipline has evolved quickly over the past two decades. What once was a straightforward technical profession has now become a complex business leadership role. Recent data shows that finding the right people keeps getting harder. Supply chain leaders need tools to develop and retain talent that can not only plan, source, make and deliver, but also drive change, react to markets and innovate. – Kevin O'Marah, Chief Content Officer, SCM World

The labor shortage in the supply chain and manufacturing industries has been well-documented, and increasingly so as that shortage continues to grow. Female executives at logistics services providers can't stress enough how they'd like to see more women continue to enter the supply chain workforce and break the stereotype of it being "a man’s world."

ThomasNet and Institute for Supply Management have announced the winners of their first "30 Under 30 Rising Supply Chain Stars" Recognition Program, a jointly sponsored initiative to advance the future of the supply chain profession. The winners, aged 30 or younger, were recognized for making significant contributions to their organizations.

Companies are desperate for new talent to help them achieve supply-chain excellence, as they grapple with ever-larger volumes of data and increasing unpredictability in consumer markets. A SupplyChainBrain Roundtable discussion with Benji Green, director of global supply chain operations with Avaya; Trevor Miles, executive vice president of thought leadership with Kinaxis, and Roddy Martin, managing director of Accenture Supply Chain Strategies.

Three transportation industry groups, with support from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, have formed the National Operations Center of Excellence.