Managing the unmanageable: integrating the supply chain with new developments in software

Unlike management in a traditional organization, supply chain management is a collaborative effort among various organizations or entities whose well being relies on dependency relationships within a value chain. As such, shared information and the ability to analyze it effectively are crucial to the effort. Supply chain management software is evolving rapidly in three major areas: supply chain planning and execution, warehouse management, and transportation management systems. Emerging trends, which include third party software systems, collaborative technology, increased optimization, and use of expert systems, provide the potential for considerable adjustment and improvement in supply chain strategies.