Are we entering a new Perfect Storm of Supply Chain challenges? A combination of rising fuel and commodity costs, plus a host of other woes from rising complexity and regulation to the challenges in competing in developing markets may make this the toughest period ever for supply chain managers.

The annual State of Logistics report was released this week.The headline number - logistics costs rose for the fifth straight year as a percent of GDP, to 10.1%. As always SCDigest digs into the numbers and a summarizes key data for you.

Is supply chain complexity killing corporate profits? That is what author, consultant and former corporate executive John Mariotti says, and he makes a persuasive case. Is your company facing its own Complexity Crisis?

Is the integrated supply chain organization the clear model of the future? Supply chain principles would say Yes, but the issue is tricky, with decisions to be made regarding lines of business, functions and geographies. We take a look the Integrated Supply Chain Organization, and report on research from CSCO Insights on this topic.

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.