Oracle Corporation, Capgemini and Georgia Southern University are pleased to present this report drawing from the results of our 2004 research on trends and issues on supply chain, logistics, and transportation. Based on survey responses from more than 500 logistics professionals, the study emphasizes the benefits of creating visibility in the firm through key supply chain processes. Results of the study have been arranged in three major sections. The first section, Six Drivers of Supply Chain Excellence, briefly examines six key characteristics that drive a transformation to greater efficiency in supply-chain, logistics and distribution processes. These drivers - Collaboration, Optimization, Connectivity, Execution, Speed, and Visibility -- are the benchmarks we used to evaluate the progress of our survey participants in achieving logistics excellence. This year's study focuses on the state of supply chain visibility as well as its barriers and enablers.