IDC recently conducted a survey of 250 decision makers at small and midsize firms and found they are adopting more applications that support sustainable supply chain initiatives.

Here’s a list of what the small and midsize firms are seeking, according to the survey:

1.    Renewable manufacturing applications that help produce products in a more efficient and profitable way while reducing supply chain risk.

2.    Warehouse and distribution applications that help streamline and improve accuracy of inventory levels. And also applications that create a system for reporting and reconciling inventory levels with the front office

3.    Mobile-enabled applications that suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors can use on their devices to help conserve energy and in turn reduce costs.

4.    Human resource applications to help find, train, and support a workforce, which is knowledgeable about green manufacturing, distribution, and can manage facilities equipped with energy efficiency technology.

Forty-one percent of companies that participated in a recent Aberdeen study say they’ve had green supply chain initiatives in place for 1-2 years, and thirty-nine percent have redesigned key parts of their supply chains to be green.

Here are other keys to greener supply chains.