Forbes—Every business is transforming – at varying levels of intensity – into a technology-enabled business. Consequently, today’s entrepreneurs should look to technological developments underpinning global innovation for opportunities to improve their business operations. Specifically, I see six major global technology trends driving these SMBs toward adopting a fundamentally different approach to work in 2017 and beyond.

Industry Week—Data and analytics have redefined the way we compete. Data is a critical corporate asset that organizations are starting to monetize in new ways to get ahead of their competition. The bottom line? Companies that leverage data to drive the performance of their organization’s decisions are winning at a faster rate than their competition.

CIO—The first quarter has ended, yet your company has yet to get its arms around how to leverage technology to compete, remain in business and improve the customer experience. Let's explore some key recommendations that all businesses should be considering as they embark on the ever-changing business technology landscape. Here are five ways to kick-start your thinking, along with recommendations to help you automate your company operations and workforce.

EBN—The race toward building the next-generation supply chain has been heavily affected by a trend of digitization driven by exponential gains in computing power. The next-generation of supply chain is digital, on-demand, and always-on. Yet, it's difficult to think of an industry that has been impacted more than logistics. The rapid increase in freight deliveries that result from the continuing growth of e-commerce and online shopping will lead to unsustainable traffic congestion, CO2 emissions, noise, and unhealthy air pollution levels within urban areas.

SupplyChainBrain—Good planning and forecasting lie at the heart of effective global supply chains. Executives have long struggled with the challenge of matching supply with demand. Expect that task to grow even more difficult in the future, thanks to the dominance of the omnichannel and an increasingly fickle customer base.

MHI Blog—Customers demand flexibility, and retailers, and supply chain, are trying to keep up. Amazon seems to be leading the way in accelerating delivery times, and many major traditionally brick-and-mortar retailers find themselves struggling to keep up. Many systems are moving toward omni-channel fulfillment in order to keep up with customer expectations. Large retailers are starting to offer shop online, pick up in store, and Walmart offers a service to bring your order straight to your car – you don’t even have to go inside anymore.

As part of MHI view's ongoing video program, this new episode focuses on 3D Printing and Technology Convergence. Partnering with other industries will help supply chains use new technology like 3D printing to their advantage.

Environmental Leader—Coca-Cola and Amazon are two of the companies continuing to explore new options for sustainable packaging. Scientists estimate that oceans already contain 150 million tons of plastic, with 8 million tons added every year. And according to ellenmacarthurfoundation.org, oceans will contain more plastic than fish by 2050 if action isn’t taken quickly to dramatically reduce the flow of plastics into waterways.

Reuters—Apple Inc (AAPL.O) plans to create a $1 billion fund to invest in U.S. companies that perform advanced manufacturing, Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said, the iPhone maker's latest effort to show how it is creating U.S. jobs. The Cupertino, California company will announce the fund's first investment later in May, Cook said during an interview on CNBC.

Supply Chain Quarterly—For retail supply chains to succeed today, they must focus on improving the consumer's overall experience. Many are still struggling to achieve that goal, says a recent report from eyefortransport. Now that satisfying consumers has become so central to the success or failure of a retail organization, it's becoming increasingly important for retail supply chains to be "consumer friendly," according to the event and research company eyefortransport's "2017 State of Retail Supply Chain Report."

MHI’s new Career Forum  enables manufacturing and supply chain professionals to view current job postings of MHI member companies. Go to http://www.mhi.org/careers to find the perfect opportunity for you.

Supply Chain Management Review—"Trust" is playing an ever more vital role in supply chain decision making. According to new research from Penn State, there is new evidence that while supply chain management is often viewed as solely a statistical endeavor, soft skills are often required in maintaining buyer and supplier relationships.

Supply Chain Dive—If there was ever any doubt about the global nature of supply chains, the after-effects of new shipping alliances shows how congestion in one area or changes in the high seas can cause a ripple effects across the world. The problems appear to be caused by the arrival of ultra-large container vessels at ports that did not previously receive them, an overall route change for dozens if not hundreds of ships, confusion over line mergers, and an excess or lack of containers at other ports to service the new routes. The issue has so far caused a capacity crunch and stranded shipments along Asia-Europe trade lanes, congestion at the Yangshan port, and now elsewhere.

DC Velocity—The North American robotics market jumped 32 percent in order volume for the first quarter, as industrial and retail giants such as General Motors Co. and Amazon.com Inc. increase their investment in automation, according to the industry's trade group. Both robot orders and shipments achieved record levels, according to the Robotic Industries Association (RIA). RIA estimates that 250,000 robots are now in use in the United States, the third highest in the world behind Japan and China.

CNBC—Amazon said it would open a 60,000 square foot development center later this year in the U.K. focused on artificial intelligence (A.I.) and drone delivery research. The site in Cambridge, which is just north of the capital London, will have a capacity for 400 people. The company announced separately that it has invested £6.4 billion ($8.26 billion) across the U.K. since 2010.

CFO—Despite the superabundance of data companies already disclose, institutional investors are looking for more. Responding to both investor demand and Securities and Exchange Commission mandates, the 10-Ks, 10-Qs, and proxy statements issued by companies contain more nonfinancial information than ever before. In its latest 10-K, for example, Alphabet devotes close to 700 words to supply chain risks. Apple’s 2016 10-K takes 500 words to describe data breach dangers. Caterpillar’s annual filing includes 2,200 words on potential operational perils.

Glossy—During February’s New York Fashion Week, a number of big-name designers (including Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors and Tommy Hilfiger) debuted see-now, buy-now styles, granting customers the opportunity to shop and wear runway looks without delay. And finally, many fashion retailers have started offering one-day delivery. In fact, some are guaranteeing shoppers purchases on their doorstep within an hour. A handful are providing the service for free.

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