Are Supply Chain Software Providers Really 4 PLs?

By Dave Renshaw, COO, FWL Technologies
There is an interesting phenomenon taking place right now within the supply chain sector. Unprecedented changes in the way the supply chain operates are placing new demands on IT systems while, in turn, developments in IT systems are opening up yet more novel ways of exploiting the chain - a self-fuelling cycle. Management can be forgiven for feeling insecure when making strategic decisions affecting the way they operate, or making decisions on their future IT infrastructure, in such a dynamically changing environment.

In fact, it is possible to detect a coherent movement once the key environmental trends are recognised. They are globalisation, symbiotic partnerships, outsourcing and the Internet. The purpose of this paper is to examine each of these movements and assess their implications in terms of systems design.