Probably the best way to determine if you can pull off hosting and supporting your own e-procurement program is to look at what it takes to provide a full service program.
This author has met with many large companies that are using e-sourcing suites or tools provided by some of the largest names in the industry. After we have reviewed what we do and how we do it and then compare what they are accomplishing the following question always comes up. Why are you running more events and generating significantly higher savings than we are?
The answer is pretty simple in most cases. You have bought a suite of e-procurement software tools, been trained and rather than hiring the staff required to use them as designed you have defaulted to your old practices with the new tools. In addition neither continuous training nor access to new sources of supply and other data was included in your initial cost.
A full service solution provider should be able to create, execute and support all eRFX activity including but not limited to the following.
1.Assistance in category selection
2.Market analytics and insight
3.Category Strategy and timing
4.Identification of additional quality suppliers
5.Building on-line eRFX events
6.Conduct all Supplier contact and training
7.Execution of live eRFX events
8.Trouble shooting during live bids
9.Compiling and communicating reports within 24 hours
10.Award and Non-Award notifications to Suppliers
11.Post event supplier surveys
12.Providing ongoing customer support
13.Monitoring Supplier performance
14.Provide continuous improvement analysis of each eRFX
The above deliverables if not executed in a self-service program will result in less than maximum results and potentially failure of your program.
If you’d like to learn more about how SafeSourcing can help energize your self-service program, please contact a SafeSourcing customer services representative.
We look forward to and appreciate your comments.
