Supply chain execution convergence (SCEC) describes the next generation of supply chains, which create a totally integrated supply chain by bringing together individual silos within the organization.

Discrete manufacturing companies operating with highly complex supply chains in today's volatile business world need collaborative planning and the ability to quickly respond to variances in those plans. They often want to model 'what-if' scenarios to better prepare them for those inevitable hiccups - or new business. Kinaxis designed its RapidResponse solution to help companies with demand and supply balancing, optimized forecasting, and improved supply chain performance. Recently it debuted an enhanced version called RapidResponse Control Tower.

BT Global Services provides managed networked IT services for business and government organizations around the world. Its expertise begins at home, says Keith Sherry, the company's general manager of supply chain solutions. BT procures some $16bn in products and services for 30,000 engineers and 1.3 million customers.