As the supply chain software industry matures, positive trends are occurring: a greater focus on deployment success and lower implementation costs, better integration between modules, more partnering with customer to achieve value. Read our take after attending several software user conferences.

What is new in order picking strategies and technologies? SCDigest editor Dan Gilmore says we did not see much new for many years, but that is starting to change, with the rise of voice picking, new multi-modal approaches, automated case picking, and more.

When it comes to skyrocketing fuel costs and their punishing effect on logistics, should you cry, panic – or take action? SCDigest editor Dan Gilmore says this needs to be a wake-up call for companies to get busy both on their logistics strategies - and making their voices heard to elected officials.

What is the real difference between supply chain management and logistics? Nick LaHowchic, former supply chain executive at The Limited Brands, offers provocative comments on these and many other topics, in Part 1 of his "Unplugged" interview with SCDigest editor Dan Gilmore. The "thinking mans supply chain executive," Gilmore says.

What is the meaning of the supply chain changes underway at Dell? Supply Chain Digest received many letters from our readers stemming from our column on "The New Supply Chain Lessons from Dell." This week, we highlight many of the most interesting responses. Join the debate!

What were the top new products introduced at the 2008 North American Material Handling Show this week in Cleveland? Our editors walked the floors for you, and offer their review and comment. After mostly incremental progress, there were some true innovations this year for the first time in awhile. Hint: the robots are coming to a Distribution Center near you.

Now that Wal-Mart has revamped its RFID strategy, is it time to take a look at what went wrong to begin with? The warning signs of a flawed strategy were there all along, but even those who thoughts so at the time were reluctant to speak up. But we identify some lessons learned.

Supply chain icon Dell last week announced major changes to its supply chain strategy. Due to changing markets, it is significantly backing away from its make-to-order and in-house production models. This is a major event in the supply chain landscape - Back to the Future, in many respects. What does it mean for the rest of us?

Digitization - the use of the web and real-time data flows - has the potential to revolutionize supply chain management, and even how companies organize themselves. While this vision is being developed by industry thought leaders, must of us do not yet fully comprehend the ultimate impact and potential. That is true for the other side of digitization too - it is not only music CDs or even other entertainment products that will see the need for supply chain management go away as a result of going digital. Can your product be digitized? If so, some career planning may be in order.

As always, supply chain executives and managers are under pressure to reduce costs and improve performance. What are some of the most proven and comparatively simple techniques many companies are using - but a great percentage of other companies have not adopted? SCDigest editor Dan Gilmore offers his top 10 list. What is your view?