The key to achieving cost-effective savings in the supply chain is to exchange information accurately and quickly in real-time. 

Economies of scale, flexibility and costreduction – cloud advocates have made sure that we are familiar with these potential benefits, even if we have yet to agree on an exact definition of cloud computing. But doubters argue that none of these benefits will actually be available unless some fundamental security issues can be overcome. 

In this first issue of Business Applications Digest, find advice from industry insiders on mastering the five success factors for enterprise resource planning (ERP) upgrades, choosing the best fit between 'best of breed' business intelligence (BI) and built-in ERP tools, and how to take advantage of the latest Software as a Service (SaaS) trends. 

This case study details how a master data plan allowed DB Schenkey employees to reliably access data from a single, authorised source. 

According to a recent Aberdeen Group study, companies are prioritizing supply chain visibility, inventory optimization, supply chain analytics, and supply chain outsourcing as ways to cut supply chain management (SCM) costs this year. Read this e-guide to explore the latest expert tips and guidance on SCM cost-cutting strategies. 

Learn how to transform your supply chain into a responsive supply network in which demand-driven companies share knowledge; adapt to changing market conditions; and proactively respond to shorter, less predictable lifecycles. Find out how you can be up and running in a matter of weeks with rapid-deployment solutions. 

Selecting software for sustainability and supply chain optimization is top of mind for many manufacturers. In this e-guide, explore the offerings available in each market. 

As supply chains extend across the globe and their complexity increases, manufacturers are learning that the right software can be a key component of successful supply chain planning and execution. Read this expert e-book to find tips and best practices for supply chain management (SCM). 

Read this case study to learn how automotive and industrial manufacturer Fluid Routing Systems was able to reduce its enterprise resource planning (ERP)-related operating costs by 30 percent while improving quality and supply chain management. 

Cloud-based manufacturing applications have exploded onto the market, and with so much hype, determining their suitability and usefulness can be tricky. Read this expert e-book to get tips on how the cloud can be leveraged for ERP, supply chain management, and global inventory management, and learn what to look out for in a still-maturing market. 

Explore new thinking on how to manage the increasing complexity of today's supply chains – and how leading companies are evolving their approach to encompass multitier business networks enabled by electronic data exchange. They are jettisoning traditional EDI for simpler, more affordable automation techniques. 

Read this article to discover the three supplier management initiatives that have helped market-leading procurement organizations drive innovation, increase productivity and mitigate risk. 

CPG companies are discovering that high product volume sales come at the expense of extreme data complexity. Companies struggle to maintain open lines of communication with retail customers and distributors trying to manage the flow of product. Learn how CPG companies deliver BI to business managers to better manage fluctuating product demand.