The challenge with Walmart's IT intensive supply chain; The theme for this week is understanding how information technology helps optimize supply chain processes by collecting and analyzing information to make good supply chain decisions. Since the 1990s, IT has played an ever increasing role in supply chains and helps minimize shipping costs, inventory costs, and lead times. Walmart is a company that has been at the forefront of using IT for SCM. As stated in the "Managing Cross-Functional Drivers in Supply Chain" article, information technology is used by Walmart to manage facility, inventory, transportation, sourcing, and pricing and revenue management. Over the past 20 year, IT has been seen as a solution to many supply chain challenges.