Supply chain integration is quite a popular topic these days. Why now? Clearly, this is not a recently discovered area of economic activity; nor has it been neglected over the years. I would suggest that the definition of supply chain management has evolved and matured to encompass more than the physical movement of product, the ongoing process improvements related to simplified sourcing, the faster transportation of raw materials and finished goods, and the fine tuning of just-in-time inventory practices.
October 4, 2007
Service Supply Chain Technology Initiatives Improve Overall Service Profitability
The recently published study by Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks company (NYSE: HHS), “Optimizing the Service Supply Chain,” found that field service organizations are placing an extremely high priority on service supply chain initiatives, with more than 70% of leading firms engaged in active improvement initiatives across all major areas of the service supply chain. Top firms are looking to leverage technology and outsourced partnerships to improve performance in parts management and logistics, product and part returns, and warranty management to create a linked and completely optimized service supply chain.
2007 Global Survey Identifies Characteristics of Supply Chain Leaders
Companies identified as supply chain “leaders” have specific characteristics that position them for competitive advantage, according to the fifth annual Global Survey of Supply Chain Progress from Computer Sciences Corporation , Supply Chain Management Review and Michigan State University (MSU). The survey, completed by supply chain professionals in 21 industries, identifies collaboration as a major differentiator between leaders and those identified as “followers” and “laggards.”
neoIT Publishes How-To for Negotiating a Global Services Agreement
neoIT, a leading services globalization(SM) consulting firm, today released a research brief titled Negotiating a Global Services Outsourcing Agreement which defines the essential factors and decision criteria that global outsourcers should consider in order to reduce the complexity, and risk of failure, when entering into a global services agreement.
The latest in neoIT’s popular monthly global sourcing research series, tackles one of the most challenging aspects of successful outsourcing, the contract negotiations phase. In order for global sourcing to succeed, one
of the most important aspects is to strike a win-win deal for both the buyer and the supplier.
Creative outsourcing
All businesses today have to focus on core processes. For most of them the list is not only short but fairly standard: product development, activities around selling and route to market, and supply chain. Relinquishing control of core processes is not a decision that is taken lightly.
At the same time it is becoming increasingly difficult for companies to maintain expertise in all these areas. There is a global ‘war for talent’ underway with the best people understandably preferring employers that can offer the greatest opportunities in their chosen field. The world is increasingly complex, too, with product sourcing across continents and an ever burgeoning raft of regulations to cope with.
ECA’s: The Preferred Solution Until e-Contract Law Is Better Defined
While the modern electronic environment is enabling significant gains in efficiency and productivity in procurement, it also introduces potential legal issues and challenges to sourcing professionals. While such challenges are many and varied, the more significant and pervasive ones relate to contract formation, establishment of contract terms and conditions, and contract administration. Failure to properly address these issues leaves the company open to gaps in what it thought was a clear agreement with a supplier.
Procuri Applauds State of Minnesota
After only one year of utilizing Procuri TotalSpend, the State of Minnesota’s Department of Administration Materials Management Division received the prestigious NASPO Cronin Award for Procurement Excellence. The annual program, created by The National Association of State Procurement Officials, seeks to recognize outstanding public procurement initiatives and promote the adoption of these ideas and practices throughout the states. This year’s award specifically focuses on the integration and essential nature of data within the procurement operation.
