That would be data acquisition such as accurate specifications.
Todays post is by Ronald D. Southard, CEO at SafeSourcing Inc.
Have you ever heard a buyer say I can’t find or don’t have a specification for that product or service? Or, I’m not sure how much we spent on that last year. Or I’m not sure if we have a current contract in place or when it expires if we do. Don’t’ laugh, because this is all too common at the best of companies. We all know this is true and that it happens every day of every week. How in the world can the specification be missing or not exist in the for something you are currently buying? How would we even understand if what we are receiving is what we ordered? Back door receiving systems have tracked this for years. What happens if we order one type of copy paper like recycled 96 white, and receive a lower quality product?
The above examples have always amazed me because an original order had to be placed at some point in time. In many cases the invoice (at least the original one) may even reference the product number or description if not both. Sometimes the invoice even calls attention to the terms and conditions. In fact, it’s a pretty good bet that the incumbent supplier has a copy of the original contract and specification on file that can be obtained with a simple phone call. On many occasions when hosting e-negotiation events new sources of supply may help to clarify specifications through their questioning about the upcoming bid collection. And then, and it is a big and then, there is of course the internet and sites like Yahoo, Google, and Bing.
If your procurement department has this type of issue, please contact a SafeSourcing customers services account manager. I’m sure they can bail you out in about 5 minutes ninety nine percent of the time.
We look forward to and appreciate your comments.
