he Internet may find it easier to order supplies or even distribute. For the middle size company, it could be a blessing or curse. Those who invest and use the new technology may rise to new heights; those who do not may be pushed into bankruptcy. This paper will attempt to touch upon the history, the various new transpirations and developments in supply chain technology and project a direction for the future.Literature reviewThe subject of supply chain has been examined, studied and dissected by great scholars. Their works have been published and have been around since the 1950s. However, the technology that is now being used, or rather is beginning to be used, is not documented in any text. The industry of supply chain management technology is in such infancy stages, that not a lot of good periodical articles are in circulation. As of February 1998, articles began appearing in magazines like Information Week, Computer World and Info World Magazine. The articles were basic and very vague. No real inside stories as to how any one particular firm's Supply chain management system worked. At this point in the development, most of the detailed information is probably regarded as trade secrets. The paper is put together from pieces of new clippings, magazine articles, news wire releases. Hardier sources of information came from Journal writings out of Europe, a few books about how import supply chain management is going to be and a handful of not so up-to-date textbooks.A Brief HistoryAs previously stated, the supply chain is not anything new, its been around for centuries. The farmer sold grain to the miller, who sold floor to the backer, how sold bread and pastries to an end customer. Such chains were based on gentleman's agreements. Once the good changed hands, the former proprietor of the good, as far as he was concerned, was finished. Such supply chains have very dynamic properties. "From the point of view of stocks it...
