Supply Chain & Merchandising

Technology that helps consumer goods (CG) manufacturers manage promotions and get a clearer picture of consumers who use their products are the hot CRM items of the moment, say analysts, who also predict expanding investment in CRM technology by CG companies in 2005.

How to drive value from integration, forecasting and new product development

The past year was one of struggle and experimentation in consumer goods companies' use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), with lingering standards, product immaturity, cost and return on investment issues clouding the ability to reach Wal-Mart's January 2005 mandate.

Last month, AMR Research humbly pointed out that its prediction in RFID spending for Wal-Mart's Top 100 suppliers was off its mark.

The No. 2 sports apparel and equipment maker in the world, adidas-Salomon Canada, uses the IBM eServer iSeries platform to gain a competitive edge in its market.

There is no doubt that 2004 proved to be a more than challenging year for consumer goods (CG) companies.

The supply chain is a critical and influential component of your overall business strategy -- typically impacting 75 percent of operating results.

It was a sunny, autumn day, perfect driving weather to soak up the picturesque country scenery of Concord, Massachusetts, the locale of this months cover story with Welchs.