Today’s post is by Troy Lowe; Vice President of Development at SafeSourcing Inc.

Recently there was a news story about a hacker taking over someone’s home security camera and harassing them through the two-way talk functionality.   This is quite ironic considering we put cameras in place to help us feel a sense of security within our home or business. Although the odds of this happening to you are very slim, this type of hacking is something that can be done within minutes for an experienced hacker. There are numerous ways that a hacker can gain access to your camera. One of the most common ways hackers access the cameras is by connecting to the camera and trying the default username and password. When camera systems are shipped, they are commonly setup with a default username and password that should be changed during setup. A novice user setting up the camera system may not know the implications of not creating a new secure password for the default user, thereby leaving the system open to vulnerable attacks. Unfortunately it is very difficult to know if your system has been hacked, but one potential red flag could be sluggishness or degraded performance when using the system. If you are setting up a new camera system and want to protect the system from hacks, you can make it more difficult for a hacker by doing the following things:

• Create strong password for all users – This can be done by making long passwords that        contain a mix of characters both upper and lowercase.
• Secure your wireless network – This can be done by changing the default SSID, turning off guest networking and using encryption on the router.
• Update the software – Software updates sometimes contain fixes and enhancements to help against vulnerabilities.
• Close any unnecessary ports – The less ports available, the less vulnerable you are to attacks.
• Test Your Security – You will want to test all of the setting changes and make sure that they have been saved correctly.

If you are looking to purchase new network devices and would like help researching available options, feel free to contact SafeSourcing.   We can gather all the necessary information for you and help you decide which one meets your needs.

If you would like more information on how SafeSourcing can help you, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service representative.  We have an entire team ready to assist you today and look forward to your comments.

Today’s post is by Gayl Southard, Administrative Consultant at SafeSourcing, Inc.

Recently I was in the market to replace my two front tires. I had been to the tire store a year prior and was advised to replace two tires and rotate the other two tires. I was told that the new tires that were to be replaced were the going to be the same tires that were on my car. The work was done and I never gave any thought to the tires that had been replaced. Well it turns out, my car had run-flat tires and the two tires that were replaced were not! All four tires are both made by the same manufacturer.

When the gentlemen came out to look at my tires, he asked to see my spare. I opened the trunk and realized I had no spare because they were run-flats and a spare is not needed. He told me he noticed right away I had run-flats on the front and regular tires on the back. Thankfully, I never had an incident with a flat or a blow out before discovering that the tire store put the wrong tires on my car. How can the front desk person and the actual installer not notice that the wrong tires were sold to me and installed? I elevated my concern to the store manager and was given a significant credit for the two tires that were put on in error. I told him my concern was that two of his employees signed off on these tires – the wrong tires!

What is a run-flat tire? A run-flat tire is a pneumatic vehicle tire that is designed to resist the effects of deflation when punctured, and to enable the vehicle to continue to be driven at reduced speeds – under 56 mph – and for limited distances – generally between 10 mi to 50 mi, depending on the type of tire. Wikipedia

How would the average person be able to identify a run-flat tire? Identify run-flat tires by carefully inspecting the tires for specific markings. Turn on the flashlight. Scan the sidewall of the tire. Look for markings such as “ZP,” “RFT,” “SEAL” or an image of a flat tire with an arrow pointing away from it. Use the magnifying glass to pick out these indices, if necessary. Sounds pretty tricky if you ask me. I don’t think the average person would know to do this.

SafeSourcing strives to give excellent customer service. We check your specifications to insure accuracy and offer advice more carefully than your own team might.  If you would like more information on how SafeSourcing can help you, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service representative.  We have an entire team ready to assist you today.

The short answer: yes. Run-flat tires and regular tires that are the same numeric size will have the same physical dimensions, and can fit properly on the same wheels. … You should have some sort of roadside assistance that you can call if you have a larger puncture.Jul 29, 2014

SafeSourcing strives to give excellent customer service. If you would like more information on how SafeSourcing can help you, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service representative.  We have an entire team ready to assist you today.

Today’s blog is by Margaret Stewart, Director of HR and Administration at SafeSourcing

Timing matters when it comes to buying the things you need or want. For instance, the hottest week in the summer may have some of the highest prices for air conditioning repair or the week after Halloween is often a low cost time to buy candy. There are some items that take a bit more research than the seasonal ones mentioned above, though. Following stock prices, market trends, and global to local news often provides the best insight into what prices may do. For example, if a region of the country that yields high amounts of corn has been devastated with drought or floods, their yield will likely not be as high as initially expected. Even further than that, if the yield is lower or the quality is lessened, every product that uses that corn will be affected. This can include things like feed, which can in turn affect livestock. One product’s price greatly affects all those other products reliant upon it.

Determining the right time to buy something doesn’t always have to be so complicated. For instance, you can buy your kid’s Christmas presents throughout the year as you happen to see a good deal (which I highly recommend) and you can not only have your shopping done ahead of the season and avoid the crowds and the rush of people, but also can spend less than you might had you waited. For more complex products and the ideal time to purchase, try using a procurement professional, like SafeSourcing. They likely have already sourced the product or service you are looking for and already know the ins and outs of it, helping you not only save time, but spend less money and less effort.

While there normally is no guarantee that you are receiving the best pricing, this is actually something SafeSourcing can do. We can guarantee that through us you can save more money on the things you already purchase or you don’t pay us (Risk Free!). No matter what items or services you are looking for, we can save your more. We can even help you determine which categories and items would bring in the most savings and when the right time to source them is.

For more information on how SafeSourcing can help your procurement efforts, or on our Risk Free trial program, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service Representative.

We have an entire team ready to assist you today.

Today’s post is written by Ivy Ray, Senior Procurement Specialist at SafeSourcing Inc.

It’s been almost a year since my previous blog, “Zero Waste Initiative”, in which I discussed the move by several retailers to begin phasing out their plastic bag use. Now, in addition to the global concerns about the impact of plastic on the oceans and ecosystems, there is a new plastic crisis regarding plastic’s contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

According to the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), in 2019 alone, the production and incineration of plastic will add more than 850 million metric tons of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere which is equal to the pollution from 189 new 500-megawatt coal-fired power plants. The CIEL report Plastic & Climate: The Hidden Costs of a Plastic Planet, states that if plastic production and use grow as currently planned, by 2050, these emissions could reach 2.75 billion metric tons of CO2e from plastic production and incineration.

In the “Micro-bead Free Waters Act of 2015” the federal government banned the sale and use of rinse-off cosmetics that contain plastic microbeads. Washington, D.C., has enacted a bag fee to incentivize consumers to bring reusable bags when shopping. California was the first state to ban the use of plastic. New York and hundreds of municipalities across the U.S. ban or fine the use of plastic in some way. In seventeen other states there are those who argue that it is illegal to ban plastic items and are enacting old policy to place a ban on the ban of plastics.

Matt Seaholm, Executive Director of the American Plastic Bags Associations (APBA) says that the ban on plastics hurts the smaller businesses making it more costly for them to comply. The APBA proactively promotes and leads numerous public policy initiatives that serve as the frontline defense against plastic bag bans and taxes nationwide. Without universal laws across the country for plastic use, retailers with stores in multiple jurisdictions would find it difficult to adhere to different processes in multiple locations. According to Seaholm, more energy is used to produce replacement paper or cloth bags and that a ban will do little to impact overall litter and waste.

National Geographic hosts a multiyear effort to raise awareness about the global plastic trash crisis, “Plastic or Planet” which is very informative on the environmental impact of plastic, and challenges the community to find ways to reduce the amount of single-use plastic in their lives.

Plastic has become such an entrenched part of our lives, it is nearly impossible for us to live 100% free of plastic. It will be a long slow process that will involve a global effort in order to come to a resolution.

SafeSourcing has sourced plastic bags, paper bags, and reusable bags for our clients. Find the product that works for you, but remember to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

For more information on how SafeSourcing can assist you in exploring your procurement solutions for your business efforts, or on our Risk Free trial program, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service Representative. We have an entire team ready to assist you today.

We look forward to your comments.

References ……………………………………………………………………

1. https://www.ciel.org/news/plasticandclimate/
2. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/08/map-shows-the-complicated-landscape-of-plastic-bans/
3. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/planetorplastic/

Today’s Post is by Eli Razov, Senior Account Manager at SafeSourcing Inc.

In part I of todays post we discussed our process. Today we discuss the purchasing process

The Purchasing Process

Purchasing is just part of the entire process. Think of it as the final piece to the puzzle. You have figured out what you want, who to get it from, what they will charge you, and now you just need to obtain that good or service. The simplified steps to that final piece can be seen below:

• Purchase Order Acknowledgement
• Advance Shipment Notice
• Goods Receipt
• Invoice Recording
• 3-Way Match
• Payment to Supplier

Often times companies will allow the General Manager or head of that location decide on where to go for what is needed. This can increase costs up to three times more than if the company combined its buying power. This can also be avoided by implementing the procurement methods explained above.

Because purchasing is part of the procurement process, both procurement and purchasing are often used interchangeably. In the business world, the practice of using similar terminology in either conversation or printed materials is routine, although it is often confusing and should be avoided.

Purchasing:

The activity of acquiring goods or services to accomplish the goals of an organization.

The major objectives of purchasing are to maintain the quality and value of a company’s products, minimize cash tied-up in inventory, maintain the flow of inputs to maintain the flow of outputs, and strengthen the organization’s competitive position.

Procurement:

The act of obtaining or buying goods and services. The process includes preparation and processing of a demand as well as the end receipt and approval of payment.

For more information on how SafeSourcing can assist you or on our “Risk Free” trial program, please contact SafeSourcing  we have an entire team waiting to assist you today.

Citation and References:

• http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/purchasing.html
• http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/procurement.html

Today’s Post is by Eli Razov, Senior Account Manager at SafeSourcing Inc.

Procurement is the same thing as purchasing – right? While similar in some ways, the two are different parts of an entire process. I would like to help draw that line that separates the two. This process begins with finding the need and ending with the solution to that need, be it a good or service. There are quite a few steps in the “procurement process”, including selecting and vetting vendors, establishing terms and conditions, vendor and client communication, and finally implementation. Below you can see our standard procurement process.

Our Procurement Process:

Investigation

• Client identifies a category they would like to take to market
• Data gathered on current spend, vendors, contracts and policies
• Subject Matter – Expert is assigned and project team is formed

Notification

• Internal notice sent on expenditures under review (if needed)
• Request for current vendors and additional information is made

Information Gathering

• All internal feedback reviewed
• New event specifications established

RFx Strategy & Setup

• Communication
  • Incumbents notified of policy for spend, suppliers invited to participate in the event
  • Answer supplier questions, train suppliers and collect samples as required

Vendor Selection

• Event is executed – results are analyzed, possible testing, information to Client News
• Send supplier thank you and surveys
• Select vendor to enter into a new contract

Implementation

• Proposed contract details sent to selected vendor
• Effective date established.

While this is a very simplified list, your company’s needs may be the determining factor of the procurement process. If you work for a big corporation, there may be more steps including Non- Disclosure Agreements, stronger qualifier questions for the intended vendors, and prolonged contract discussions. If your company is smaller, the process can often times be a lot quicker.

Check Back Tomorrow for Part II or II The Purchasing Process.

For more information on how SafeSourcing can assist you or on our “Risk Free” trial program, please contact SafeSourcing  we have an entire team waiting to assist you today.

Citation and References……………………………………………………………………………………

• http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/purchasing.html
• http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/procurement.html

Today’s post is by Dave Wenig, Vice President of Sales and Services at SafeSourcing, Inc.

This is the third entry in the Baseball Season and eProcurement series. In the previous posts in this series, we highlighted some examples of how SafeSourcing customers have achieved and enjoyed hitting a Single. At SafeSourcing a Single is achieved when a customer attains between 5% and 9.99% savings in their online Request for Quote (RFQ) Events.

Today’s blog post will similarly review some examples of when our customers have hit a Double. SafeSourcing defines a Double as between 10% and 14.99% savings. Hitting a Double is a very good outcome for any category. In future installments of this series, we’ll focus on Triples, Home Runs, and Grand Slams.

The first example we will review is for bottled water. One of SafeSourcing’s retail customers was due to source the bottled water that they sell in their stores. They had the impression that given the limited number of suppliers that they were aware of that could support their network of stores, that negotiating this category was not possible. While this category does only have a finite number of suppliers based on any given geography, there are plenty to be able to host a competitive RFQ Event. In this case, five suppliers quoted including their incumbent. Their incumbent is a large and well-known national brand. As a result of the competitive bidding process being paired with the vendors that SafeSourcing identified and brought into the live RFQ, the customer was able to achieve an impressive 13.84% savings. Best of all, this low quote savings came from their incumbent supplier which meant they would easily attain the savings beginning with their next shipments.

Our next example is from another retail customer that operates many pharmacy locations and sells a wide variety of items in their stores. One of the categories that we focused on with this customer was their propane tank exchange service. This has become a common category for RFQ as there are several suppliers that operate nationally and many more that operate regionally. The incumbent supplier is one of the largest national suppliers in this category. Again, SafeSourcing identified and brought in three additional suppliers that were qualified and capable of servicing this customer’s locations. The result was a 14.48% savings. It was nearly a Triple. Here again, the customer was able to lower the price substantially while retaining their current source of supply.

There are many results like these and there are interesting stories including great savings dollars behind each. In the next entry in this series, some examples of Triples will be shared.

If you’re interested in learning more about how RFQ Events can help your company advance the bases and achieve savings, please contact SafeSourcing.

Today’s post is written by Ivy Ray, Senior Procurement Specialist at SafeSourcing Inc.

Over the past five years, the Retail Store Fixture Dealers industry has grown by 5.5% to reach revenue of $5 billion in 2018. In the same timeframe, the number of businesses has declined by -0.6% and the number of employees has grown by 1.4%.

With the closing of some major retailers, like Toys R Us and Sears, you would think that the opposite would be true, with the used retail fixtures flooding the market from these closed stores. Higher disposable income and stronger consumer confidence is expected to boost retail sales, and increase the demand for retail fixtures. This is also due to brick and mortar retailers reinventing themselves to stay a step ahead of the online retailers.

Visual merchandising is key to staying relevant. Store planning, design, and visual effects are important for attracting customers and enticing them to make purchases. I personally prefer buying online because it is usually cheaper, and I save myself the hassle of making a trip to the mall. I also end up purchasing more than I intended, proving that clever merchandising does what it is designed to do. Some customers still prefer to touch and try on things before buying, which is why in-store shopping remains the most popular buying option, followed by websites and then mobile apps.

The Retail Store Fixture Dealers industry primarily acquires retail store fixtures from manufacturers and resells them to retail industries. The industry includes a wide variety of products, such as showcases and counters; gondola store shelving; glass, wood and plastic displays; display racks; gridwall; slatwall and accessories; forms and mannequins; sign holders; and food and jewelry displays.

For more information on how SafeSourcing can assist you in exploring your procurement solutions for your business or on our “Risk Free” trial program, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service Representative.  We have an entire customer services team waiting to assist you today.

We look forward to your comments.

References….………………………………………….

https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-trends/specialized-market-research-reports/specialist-engineering-infrastructure-contractors/construction-building-services/retail-store-fixture-dealers.html>

Today’s post is by Dave Wenig, Vice President of Sales and Services at SafeSourcing, Inc.

This post is part 2 of Baseball Season and eProcurement series. In the last months post, Baseball Season and eProcurement Part 1 we discussed how at SafeSourcing we measure eProcurement success using baseball terminology as our customers watch their online Request for Quote (RFQ) Events.

Today’s post will focus on the importance of getting on base with a Single. At SafeSourcing, we define a Single as an RFQ Event that has savings of at least 5%, but less than 10%. In future installments of this series, we’ll focus on Doubles, Triples, Home Runs, and Grand Slams. It’s too easy to say that the goal of an RFQ Event should be a Home Run or a Grand Slam. After all, with an average savings percentage that is nearly a Grand Slam at 24.8%, it’s fair to expect big results.

As you probably know, base hits are very important in baseball and that holds true in eProcurement. For some categories including certain commodity items, a Single is actually a very significant win. For other categories, a single represents a last mile effort to drive out even more savings on a category that the customer has already done a reasonable job of negotiating without eProcurement.

In one recent example of a high spend category that had been negotiated by the customer pretty well before an RFQ Event, we attained a Single. This category was plastic bags and was a closely monitored category for this retailer. This was still a high-value win for the customer as it was a simple RFQ Event to prepare for and achieved immediate savings dollars representing hundreds of thousands in savings over the term of the award.

Another recent example of a Single achieved by a SafeSourcing customer was in an RFQ Event that included items like various pickles and peppers. In this example, the customer had been presented with a price increase. Despite the price increase, they were able to attain a 6.93% savings on the category. Considering that they were able to avoid the increase and then some. That is a solid base hit.

There are many results like these and there are interesting stories including great savings dollars behind each. In the next entry in this series, some examples of Doubles will be shared.

For more information, please contact SafeSourcing.