Editor's Note: Last year marked the debut of our SCTi awards, and we continue to refine our metric for the leaders in each category. This time around we not only consulted with our writers, contributing editors and advisory board, but also reached out to a random sampling of our readers (1500 to be precise). While our rankings may be subject to some debate of course, the companies featured here are arguably among the finest innovators in each category. --Patrick Burnson

Most Innovative Technology Use By A Transport Provider:
UPS Supply Chain Logistics

With the recent launch of UPS Trade DirectSM Cross Border, United Parcel Service provides a unique international trade solution that streamlines the movement of freight and packages from Mexico into the United States.

"Exporters are looking for ways to make the cross-border shipping process less complicated in order to better serve their U.S. customers," says David Ruiz, General Manager, UPS Mexico. "Today, many companies use a freight forwarder, a broker and sometimes up to three different carriers to accomplish their distribution goals. UPS Trade Direct Cross Border provides a comprehensive bundle of services to help streamline the supply chain while improving efficiencies." The service joins the growing family of UPS global transportation solutions, providing customers a bundled service offering from pickup to delivery.

Readers have also given UPS Supply Chain Logistics high marks to its ocean freight forwarder unit, UPS Ocean Freight Services. Earlier this year it received certification from the United States Customs Service to submit advance cargo manifest information via the Automated Manifest System (AMS). "By providing Customs with the appropriate information, we ensure our customers that their shipments won't face penalties, unnecessary delays and disruption to their supply chain," said Michael Gargaro, vice president, UPS Supply Chain Solutions, ocean freight services. "Indeed, we actually streamline the process because we can file manifest information directly to Customs instead of going through ocean carriers."

Most Innovative Technology Use Shipper:
Wal-Mart

The selection of Wal-Mart came as scant surprise, as we had profiled one of their leading executives in last year's final edition: Brian Peterson who runs Wal-Mart's perishables division. As contributing editor, Tony Seideman points out, "Peterson knows how to squeeze a tomato and argue in Sicilian when it comes to the products he buys."

Small is where Peterson got his start, working with tiny outlets and on the loading docks of the Midwest as the owner of his own produce wholesaling company. In that position, Peterson has a direct impact on a major share of the world's perishable purchases. Though Wal-Mart is best known for selling non-perishable goods from clothing to DVD players, its presence in the perishables world is predictably massive.

Technological innovation has made it possible. Unlike some big players in the industry, Wal-Mart doesn't demand companies to get hooked up to its system no matter what their size. "It may not be cost effective for a small corn grower who sells to two or three stores to get technologically wrapped up with us," Peterson says. "Any time there is change, there is resistance. But surprisingly, most of our suppliers have adapted quite well," he says.

Founder Sam Walton defeated his retail competitors in part because he was willing to reinvent relationships between retailers and their suppliers. Walton realized that the traditional adversarial relationship between retailers and their suppliers wasted a tremendous amount of time and energy.

Most Innovative Technology Use as a Service:
Vastera

Vastera, Inc., a leading provider of solutions for Global Trade Management (GTM), an assumed responsibility for Ford Motor Company's global trade operations in Europe late last year with considerable fanfare. By all accounts, the operations are quite a success: "Vastera continues to drive substantial operational efficiencies within our global supply chain," says Roman Krygier, group vice president, manufacturing and quality for Ford. "Since taking over our North American trade operations, Vastera has reduced our duties and brokerage costs significantly. We look forward to comparable hard-dollar savings and continued excellent service in Europe as Vastera assumes responsibility for our European trade operations."

Vastera began managing Ford's U.S. global trade operations in September 2000. Following its success in the U.S., Vastera assumed responsibility for Ford's Mexican global trade operations in February 2001, and then Ford's Canadian global trade operations a month later. This most recent European expansion with Ford has enabled Vastera to further establish its automotive global trade platform.

Most Innovative Technology Product: (Web-Based or Client-Based Or Both):
Google

Recognized by many business publications for its B2B applications, Google Inc. is now also winning kudos from the world trade community for updating its corporate search technology. This enables IT administrators to easily deploy search services in secure computing environments, with fresher results and increased index capacity. Google also announced the GB-5005, a new Google Search Appliance hardware model designed for organizations that require a highly available dedicated search service of up to 3 million documents. The Google Search Appliance is an integrated corporate search solution that extends its search technology to intranets and websites.

Demonstrating its ongoing momentum in corporate search, the new Google Search Appliance has acquired customers in the government, health, education and biotech markets.

Most Innovative Global Trade Management Technology:
FedEx Trade Networks

FedEx Trade Networks Transport & Brokerage, Inc. (FedEx Trade Networks) is a subsidiary of FedEx Trade Networks, Inc., part of FedEx Corporation, a $20 billion global transportation and logistics company. While FedEx is one of the world's most recognized brands-virtually a synonym worldwide for service, speed and reliability-it continues to expand vision in a world where trade barriers are continually challenged and cleared.

For more than a century, FedEx Trade Networks technology and network of worldwide partners have provided customs brokerage, transportation and logistics services to more than 30,000 customers, involving more than 3 million transactions annually.

Today, with expanded products and services, FedEx Trade Networks specializes in a wide variety of trade services, including customs brokerage, air and ocean transport, and import/export consolidation.

Most Innovative Trade Settlement Technology:
Bank of New York

Innovation in information services made The Bank of New York a winner this year. Indeed, this was the main reason it was selected by The Chubb Corporation to provide additional global custody services. The Chubb Group of Insurance Companies provides property and casualty insurance for personal and commercial customers worldwide.

"After a thorough evaluation process, we decided to expand our global custody relationship with The Bank of New York. We have been impressed with INFORM, the Bank's information delivery platform, and their flexible reporting capabilities, as well as the quality of service offered by their insurance custody specialists," says Philip J. Sempier, vice president and treasurer at The Chubb Corporation.