Have you ever bought something where price wasn't the deciding factor? A cup of coffee because it tastes better, perhaps? Or maybe a pricier mechanic's services because you trust him? Purchasing decisions in our lives aren't black and white, and they shouldn't be in corporate purchasing departments either.

A year after adulterated heparin caused deaths in the United States and Europe, inspectors in California were still finding contaminated product in hospitals throughout the state, even though the manufacturer had sent out multiple recall notices, and the issue with the product was well known. As the pharmaceutical industry responds to regulatory mandates to address such weakness in the supply chain, it's important to ask, "Could this same thing happen in a 'serialized' world?"

An improving economy gives businesses an opportunity to reassess their strategies, plans and tactics as well as the impetus to tune up their operations.

According to the Pew Research Center, one-third of U.S. adults own a smartphone. With smartphones dominating the consumer market, it is more possible now than ever to conduct business while on the move. What does this mean for the transportation industry? It means drivers can have the increased ability to communicate transit information to agents and carriers, while agents can have a snapshot of every load they've brokered in their pocket. In essence, mobile applications provide the opportunity to take a streamlined approach to operational efficiency in the transportation industry.