Gartner

The supply chain technology market is evolving toward platforms and equipment that optimize end-to-end processes. Four top technology analysts offer their unique insight into how the convergence of automation, data, and labor is moving us toward this utopian vision.

Emerging markets have been identified as the primary business growth area for the next century, and Gartner said that organizations with strong demand planning capabilities and segmented supply strategies are better positioned to capitalize on market opportunities, as well as to mitigate risks.

Having something to base a wide amount of criteria in the 3PL sector can be challenging for shippers. The Gartner Group’s recent release of its Magic Quadrant for Global Third-Party Logistics Providers aims to help alleviate some of those challenges, which can help shippers to better understand 3PLs and their capabilities when evaluating and selecting a set of providers to meet their needs, according to Gartner.

Our technology correspondent takes a closer look at what wireless technology is being adopted, how it’s being used, and what benefits logistics professionals are deriving from their mobile investments either inside the four walls or on the road.

These predictions will affect most logistics organizations, however, the impact will depend on how prepared they are to adapt to these events, analysts said.

2011 marks the second year of double-digit growth for the SCM software market as supply chain investments kept their priority status and moved forward, despite caution from IT budget decision makers.