Unlocking Hidden Value in Global Trade Management  — August, 2008
Exclusive Video Interview Global trade is a fast growing source of revenue and cost reduction at many companies, but investments in technology to support trade processes have been woefully lacking. Beth Enslow, senior vice president for supply chain risk management at Marsh Inc. explains how the right technology and a sharper focus on trade compliance can add significant dollars to the bottom line. [Run Time (Min): 12:04]

Getting Back to the Basics — August,  2008
Exclusive Video Interview The soaring cost of energy has forced companies to take a fresh look at transportation management. Even businesses with existing applications are being drawn to the latest technology offerings, in hopes of cutting costs, boosting visibility and fostering collaboration with supply-chain partners. Brad Wyland, senior research analyst of supply chain management with Aberdeen Group, talks about the changes that are taking place in the transportation sector. In particular, companies are looking to improve the way product moves into and out of the warehouse. But they must also take into account other types of information technology, to ensure the integration of all systems. Wyland offers some recommendations on the kind of business process change that must accompany any IT implementation. [Run Time: (Min) 9:05]

Where's Transportation Management Headed? — August,  2008
Exclusive Video Interview Transportation accounts for 50 percent or more of the logistics costs of most companies. It's no wonder most are looking at such options as fuel hedging, improving load factors, putting their transportation out for bid, investigating intermodal and rail, and collaborating with others. And, of course, investing in transportation management systems, says Adrian Gonzalez, research director of ARC Advisory Group. The TMS market was valued at $1bn in 2006, and it's only going to grow, he says. “If you can't justify a TMS in this environment today, I don't know when you can.” [Run Time (Min): 15:57]

Transportation & Distribution—Does It Get Any More Important? — August, 2008 
Exclusive Video Interview There is so much complexity in logistics today, and it's no different in the warehouse, says Brad Wyland, senior research analyst with Aberdeen Group. Pressures on warehouse operators include knowledgeable and demanding customers, and a much faster paced supply-and-demand environment. In the middle of that, operators must maintain high delivery performance—and calm. Wyland discusses available technology, process improvements and the right mindset to make it all fall in place. [Run Time (Min): 10:55]

The Transformation of Logistics Providers — August , 2008
Exclusive Video Interview The first wave of third-party logistics providers offered a discrete set of execution-based services, such as warehousing and transportation management. Now, the 3PL landscape is changing, in answer to companies’ greater need for outside help in managing their supply chains. Greg Aimi, research director with AMR Research, traces the evolution of 3PLs and discusses how far they’ve come – and how far they need to go – in becoming “one-stop” providers of multiple supply-chain services. Some companies are relying so heavily on external partners that they have essentially outsourced their supply chains. Others are careful to keep certain logistics responsibilities in-house. Aimi discusses some of the questions that should be asked before making this determination. [Run Time (Min): 14:21]  

New Models for Surviving in a New World— August , 2008
Exclusive Video Interview Virtually all supply chains today are global. Consumers are demanding product from all over the world, spurred on by booming population growth and the pervasive nature of the internet. Ann Grackin, managing director of the Supply Chain Intelligence Service of Marsh, talks here about how companies can meet the challenge of globalization through the creation of “federated” supply chains. They require real collaboration between partners, along with the integration of supply, customer, financial and risk markets. The old corporate model, consisting of discrete functions and responsibilities, is being replaced by one in which participants work closely together, even to the point of learning multiple languages. [Run Time (Min): 9:30]