In the late 1990's when Y2K issues dominated headlines, a number of well funded aviation business-to-business exchanges promised savings of untold proportion for airlines & aircraft operators who would potentially migrate their supply chain management (SCM) systems to the Internet enabled "new economy" mode of doing business. Approximately $45 Billion worth of aircraft spares & materials inventory was targeted for reduction via improved SCM techniques & technology. While the vast majority of those exchanges quickly flamed out, (some in rather spectacular fashion) they did manage to highlight the incredible role that inertia plays in our industry and its potentially damaging consequences. (Click on photo to continue)