Earlier this month, ESYNC, a strategic supply chain consulting firm, and Sterling Commerce, an AT&T Inc. subsidiary, announced at the DCExpo that they plan to form a relationship, which will focus on supply chain execution strategies that enable companies to lower inventory levels, improve customer satisfaction, and increase operational efficiency.

Inventory management is at the top of many companies' "most wanted" technology list, according to a recent study by the Aberdeen Group. Fifty-seven percent of all companies surveyed said inventory is a core focus. The researchers say one reason for this high level of interest is the growth in complex, global supply chains. Complex environments like these require companies to study the best practices of colleagues who have already succeeded with those practices, and best practices involve the right marriage of technology and practical expertise

According to Logistics Management, Ken Ramoutar, Sterling's director of product marketing, told Logistics Management that giving customers access to Esync's domain expertise will help them build best practices around Sterling's software.

"The challenge many companies have is putting the experience and the software together," he adds. "When we look at the evolution of our products we use input from customers and our partners, and we look at where the market is heading. We have to triangulate that way to develop products. Esync is on the ground working day to day with customers and they can give us visibility to some of the things they're working on for their customers."

John Hill, partner with Esync, weighed in on the significance of this kind of talent merger as well. He said his company's previous merger with Transystems, a full-service transportation infrastructure and management consulting company, helped set the table for these kinds of relationships with technology companies.