The supply chain outlook appears bright

The supply chain continues to evolve, and as the years go by, it is becoming a bigger piece of business operations. That comes out of the findings of a new infographic released by SAPinsider and insiderPROFILES that compiled the results of a survey of supply chain management (SCM) professionals in late 2013.

The goal of the study was to examine the state of the supply chain in 2014. The numbers show that 71 percent of businesses have made supply chain management a higher priority than it has been in the past. Only 4 percent made it a lower priority.

When it comes to challenges, 53 percent cited process optimization as the biggest obstacle. That was followed by managing cost (15 percent), finding the right technology (13 percent) and connecting suppliers and partners (10 percent).

A recent article from Cerasis examined the press release more closely. Adam Robinson, the author of the piece, said that over the next few years, as the approach to the supply chain evolves to focus more on operations and less on cost, he gets excited.

"The focus now is on how to run your business and supply chain better, even if that means investing in outside providers or new technology to make you more effective," Robinson wrote. "CEOs are no longer scared to 'not do it all' but to focus on their own core business and let expert providers of services and technology help improve bottom lines."

With more companies making the supply chain a higher priority, a third party logistics firm can become a valuable resource to help improve operations while also keeping costs down.