In 2012, FedEx moved over 9 million packages daily worldwide (6 million
in the United States),
mostly overnight,
and the United Parcel Service (UPS)
moved over 15 million packages daily worldwide.
Businesses sought to sense
and respond to rapidly changing customer demand,
reduce inventories to the lowest possible levels,
and achieve higher levels of operational efficiency.
Supply chains have become more fast-paced,
with companies of all sizes
depending on just-in-time inventory to reduce their overhead costs
and get to market faster.