When applying technology, supply chain professionals play a critical decision-making role by investigative and analytical skills to source, evaluate, and select suppliers; influencing and persuading skills to negotiate the best deal for the organization; and a strategic approach to anticipate and prevent future problems. With rapidly changing technology and the evolution of e-commerce in supply management, it is difficult to predict what the future will look like, but supply managers must ask themselves the key questions regarding e-commerce such as:

• Should we be a leader or a follower?

• What should be required through e-commerce?

• What tools should we use to acquire those items?

• Who should we use as a service provider?

• Should we enter into an alliance and, if so, what type, or should we work privately?