Business process flexibility versus the cost of technology in the supply chain is an ongoing debate within many companies. Jane Thomson, MD of Softworx, an EOH company and distributor of Infor in Sub-Saharan Africa, says savvy manufacturers have recognised the effectiveness of an integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system in enabling effective response to change and, reducing long-term IT costs. 18 Jul 2008

The two-day food summit currently taking place at Gallagher Estate in Midrand will enable the Gauteng Department of Agriculture to formulate a position on the pricing of food. 11 Jul 2008

Soft goods such as coffee, sugar, cotton and orange juice are nowhere near their all time high prices like so many other commodities such as energies, grains and metals. The soft sector of this market may be the next leader of the commodity bull market. Within the soft commodities, coffee futures may be next to make a historic market run. 10 Jul 2008

The green movement in business is moving beyond recycling paper, water bottles and soda cans. Companies such as IBM are starting to capitalize on the "greening" of the supply chain, especially when it comes to controlling carbon dioxide emissions. 8 Jul 2008

While food prices have been stable or have fallen in relation to our incomes for much of the past thirty years, the past two years have indicated clearly that the era of cheap food is over. Rising food prices place a severe burden on the poor and government must intervene to support the needy in facing higher food prices. However, higher food prices also provide an opportunity to profit from producing more food for our people. 3 Jul 2008

The current supplychainforesight research into the state of the industry's supply chain demonstrates a sector where strategic supply chain thinking has traditionally been in short supply, but that those companies who are focusing on it are earning competitive advantage. 27 Jun 2008

the company of wine people recently won the JF Hillebrand Supply Chain Partner of the Year Award for 2008. 20 Jun 2008