The adoption of clever information-technology systems to improve logistics and streamline purchasing has been particularly sluggish, despite corporate Japan's reputation for technological prowess.

ECONOMIST: Consolidation beckons for Japan's retail icons

In addition to medical devices, the Defense Information Systems Agency and the Defense Logistics Agency sold or donated more than 77, 900 pieces of computer equipment to various federal, state and local law enforcement agencies that also may be at risk of Year 2000 failures.

CNN: DOD resold non-Y2K compliant computers, medical devices

The data warehouse environment comprises marketing databases, call systems, customer service, GSM network statistical data, invoicing systems, collections and retrievals and all logistics information.

FORBES: The Big Lie About Big Data

Meanwhile, several logistics and information technology start-ups like PurFresh and Nova Analytics are implementing new systems to help executives manage potential water-shortage crises more effectively.

FORBES: The Water-Industrial Complex