Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 3, 2025

Optimizing fulfillment requires a series of steps to get a shipment from its source to the end customer. These steps include sourcing and receiving inventory, storing inventory, order processing, picking and packing an order, shipping the order, and returns management. The ability to meet fulfillment goals is impeded by several issues.

Optimal Sourcing 227

Optimal Sourcing Optimization Software Price Mitigation Strategies Sourcing Strategies 227

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 27, 2022

At each company, there is a relationship between the metrics of growth, margin, inventory, customer service, and asset strategy. For the purpose of this article, I will use Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) as the proxy metric to discuss asset utilization.) I never calculated and accounted for the inter-dependencies between metrics.

Procurement Analytics 369

Procurement Analytics Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software 369

Freightos

APRIL 23, 2025

Home Introducing Freightos Enterprise: End-to-End Procurement, Benchmarking, and Management Freightos Enterprise unifies market intelligence, tender management, and shipment operations into one solution, enhancing logistics efficiency for large import-export businesses.

Optimal Sourcing 156

Optimal Sourcing Benchmarking Manufacturing Procurement Procurement 156

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 19, 2015

Benchmarking is a measurement of the quality of an organization’s policies, products, programs or strategies against standard measurements. Today, I am going to share five insights that I have gleaned from our work on Supply Chain Planning Benchmarking. Benchmarking is not Benchmarking. Business Dictionary.com.

Supply Chain Planning Software 150

Supply Chain Planning Software Benchmarking Supply Chain Planning Scenario Planning 150

Logistics Viewpoints

AUGUST 15, 2022

Of the professionals surveyed, 59% saw the gap between procurement/sourcing and supply chain to be a major disconnect, and the most pressing pain point. Both procurement solutions from ERP companies like Oracle or Infor – or business spend management solutions – can help companies enforce these sourcing supplier decisions.

Supply Chain Network Software 310

Supply Chain Network Software Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Optimal Sourcing 310

ivalua

JUNE 12, 2025

This blog offers a clear, practical overview of what spend analysis is, how it supports strategic sourcing, and why it matters for both direct and indirect procurement. We’ll walk through key benefits, types of spend analysis, steps to get started, and metrics to track—backed by lessons learned from real-world implementations.

Cost Reduction Strategies 130

Cost Reduction Strategies Material Savings Expense Reduction Negotiating Skills 130

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 9, 2014

The team was organized around the functional silos of source, make and deliver. When we started benchmarking companies, Deborah and I had a friendly wager. Deborah and I benchmarked 97 supply chains; and, we found the inverse to be true. We are a month away from the publication of Supply Chain Metrics that Matter.

Manufacturing Procurement 318

Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing Benchmarking Supply Chain Design Software 318

ivalua

MAY 30, 2025

AI is reshaping the way organizations source, manage suppliers, and drive value today. AI agents offer a smarter, faster way to manage sourcing, risk, and spend across the entire procurement lifecycle. For example, agentic AI can analyze supplier data, evaluate contracts, manage purchase orders, or recommend sourcing strategies.

Optimal Sourcing 130

Optimal Sourcing Procurement Solutions Procurement Analytics Negotiating Skills 130

ivalua

MAY 30, 2025

AI is reshaping the way organizations source, manage suppliers, and drive value today. AI agents offer a smarter, faster way to manage sourcing, risk, and spend across the entire procurement lifecycle. For example, agentic AI can analyze supplier data, evaluate contracts, manage purchase orders, or recommend sourcing strategies.

Optimal Sourcing 130

Optimal Sourcing Procurement Solutions Procurement Analytics Negotiating Skills 130

Kinaxis

JULY 18, 2014

Even if you’re not you should check out Supply Chain Insights, Supply Chain Metrics That Matter. The research benchmarks A&D companies against other industries and looks at the top five A&D companies over the last decade. Think about those design, sourcing and delivery challenges. by Bill DuBois.

Supply Chain Planning 224

Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain Design Supply Chain Strategy Material Savings 224

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 6, 2020

Despite goals to improve agility and resiliency, functional metrics for manufacturing efficiency continually throw the supply chain out of balance. The first step in the development of a strategy is benchmarking. The second step is to align metrics to the strategy. The So What? ” I share it because it is real life.

Agile and Lean Supply Chain 362

Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Strategy 362

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

In manufacturing-based companies, 70-80% of costs are in the processes of source, make and deliver. While the practices of finance are over 200 years old, in contrast, supply chain as a cross-functional practice (the combination of make, source and deliver) was recently defined in 1982. Is talent a cost or an asset?

Cost Reduction Strategies 262

Cost Reduction Strategies Inventory Reduction Resource Reduction Manufacturing Procurement 262

ivalua

MAY 21, 2025

Digital procurement streamlines workflows and unifies data, enabling faster sourcing, better collaboration, and improved accuracy. Digital procurement is the use of digital technologies to enhance, automate, and optimize procurement processes across the entire source-to-pay (S2P) lifecycle.

Optimal Sourcing 130

Optimal Sourcing Procurement Solutions Procurement Analytics Analytics Software 130

Logistics Bureau

DECEMBER 22, 2024

Using KPIs for performance measurement ensures that you are continuously evaluating your business activity against a static benchmark. Another powerful use of KPIs is in the benchmarking of your companys performance against that of your competitors and industry peers. Why Are KPIs Important?

KPI 74

KPI Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Strategy Supply Chain 74

Logility

AUGUST 5, 2021

But before you start measuring everything in sight – and a few things not in sight – start with a set of thoughtful intentions and questions that will guide you to the right set of metrics and the right set of expectations. Inventory-based KPIs probably make sense for you, but how will you benchmark results? That’s a trap.

Metrics 130

Metrics Modeling Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software 130

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 4, 2021

Digital commerce efficiently requires the digitalization of many customer-facing operations and sourcing and procurement. Supply chain planning involves interaction with different types of information based on internal and external data sources. These data sources are often spread across multiple platforms and come in various formats.

Supply Chain Planning Software 284

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Scenario Planning Modeling 284

QAD

JUNE 25, 2019

It is critical to monitor inventory effectiveness using five key metrics: Expedited orders, inventory turns, obsolete inventory, safety stock and stockouts. Using Metrics to Measure the Health of the Business. Companies use these metrics to minimize their investment in inventory without adversely affecting customer service levels.

Procurement Analytics 111

Procurement Analytics Metrics Inventory Reduction Inventory 111

GlobalTranz

APRIL 25, 2016

3 Key Metrics for Measuring Supply Chain Performance Beyond Cost Reduction. It is the main measurement benchmark in measuring supply chain performance, isn’t it? 10 Soft Metric Considerations in Measuring Supply Chain Performance. Cost reduction is still very important. We just can’t forget cost reduction. Read more. .

Procurement Analytics 120

Procurement Analytics Supply Chain Performance Metrics Supply Chain Software 120

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 27, 2023

It is important to benchmark forecast accuracy and similar supply chain metrics against your peers. APQC – a benchmarking, best practices, and performance improvement organization – is one place you can get these numbers. Companies need to understand how much it is realistically possible to improve their forecasts.

Forecasting 271

Forecasting Forecasting Software Modeling Optimal Sourcing 271

ivalua

MAY 10, 2025

This guide breaks down the key procurement technologies in use today and the trends reshaping the future, such as AI-driven sourcing, predictive risk management, and deeper integration across the supply chain. What Is Procurement Technology? Here are some of the most important tools teams are already using.

Procurement Solutions 130

Procurement Solutions Sourcing Strategies Optimal Sourcing Analytics Software 130

Logistics Viewpoints

SEPTEMBER 13, 2022

Thus, organizations must make sure that data are complete, accurate, timely, and consistent as well as capture the required metrics. Understanding the data, metrics and benchmarks can help the organization collaborate with suppliers to set meaningful, actionable and quantifiable goals. Next, the enterprise can set targets.

Cost Reduction Strategies 261

Cost Reduction Strategies Supply Chain Planning Software GEP Supply Chain Network Software 261

Unleashed

MARCH 9, 2021

In simple terms business procurement is the process of locating and acquiring goods and services from external sources for the business to use. Procurement activities include planning, sourcing, and negotiation, along with risk management, legal and value analysis. What is procurement? Undamaged shipment rate.

Procurement Analytics 104

Procurement Analytics Procurement Solutions Optimal Sourcing Material Savings 104

RFgen

NOVEMBER 20, 2024

These systems also support phased implementation, allowing you to start with high-priority processes, train staff during regular work hours, deploy your wireless infrastructure before software rollout, maintain parallel systems during the initial transition, and closely monitor performance metrics.

Inventory Reduction 98

Inventory Reduction Inventory Management Software Waste Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies 98

Logistics Viewpoints

JULY 19, 2023

Most recently, the APQC has conducted best practice and benchmarking research on environmental sustainability. In the survey, APQC used a series of performance metrics, including net promoter score, customer retention rate, perfect order performance, and on-time delivery among others, to identify the top performing companies.

Sustainability 246

Sustainability Optimal Sourcing Logistics Material Savings 246

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 9, 2013

This research was the backbone of the Supply Chain Metrics that Matter series of reports. Instead, they have measured functional metrics or focused on projects. I believe that customer service is a critical metric and a key element of managing a complex supply chain system. The Building of the Index. What do I mean?

Supply Chain Software 210

Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Modeling Modeling Software 210

Precoro

DECEMBER 11, 2023

To enhance their competitive edge, companies across industries are adopting a key tactic: strategic sourcing. Strategic sourcing is a holistic approach to supply chain management that includes tactics for optimizing the total cost of ownership, improving supplier relationships, and ensuring long-term value creation.

Negotiating Skills 105

Negotiating Skills Purchasing Skills Optimal Sourcing Sourcing Strategies 105

ToolsGroup

OCTOBER 11, 2017

Gartner says that you shouldn’t just pitch forecast accuracy to your executive management, but translate your plan into business metrics. They add that best practice can also include accountability for stakeholder inputs, recognizing sources of error, and measuring performance. 2% reduction in transportation costs (percent of sales).

Forecasting 180

Forecasting Supply and Demand Forecasting Software Optimal Sourcing 180

Silvon Software

MAY 6, 2025

They need visibility across multiple internal systemslike ERP, CRM, and financial platformsand even external sources shared with suppliers, partners, and customers. Modern platforms pull data from a wide array of sources: ERPs, relational databases, Excel files, cloud apps, third-party providers, and beyond. Why does that matter?

Prescriptive Analytics Software 89

Prescriptive Analytics Software Analytics Software Predictive Analytics Software Supply Chain Design Software 89

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 26, 2012

However, none of the three companies knew this before the benchmarking activity. When I go in to help a company, I first benchmark their supply chain ratios. In the modeling, my recommendation is to look at the cost metrics in aggregate. It constantly amazes me. My preference is monthly as part of the S&OP process.).

Manufacturing Procurement 207

Manufacturing Procurement Purchasing Skills Modeling Supply Chain Design 207

GlobalTranz

JUNE 15, 2017

In order to make the improvement process a constant activity and in order to fix the achievements from development, your team must adopt the representative metrics, key performance indicators , and benchmarking items. IT and technology literacy. Constant learning capability.

Buyer Training 289

Buyer Training Logistics Network Optimization Software Six Sigma Vendor Strategies 289

Precoro

MAY 19, 2023

To monitor supply chain performance, stakeholders of successful companies typically define supply chain metrics that are relevant to the given business and track these KPIs regularly. By setting benchmarks for metrics, analysts can recognize unsettling trends and take preventive measures on time.

Procurement Analytics 98

Procurement Analytics Metrics Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software 98

Silvon Software

JULY 22, 2022

For one thing, today’s operational processes have become more complicated due to the ever-growing number of sources, platforms and touchpoints that must now be analyzed in order to drive actionable insights from them. Supply chain metrics provide the intelligence needed to make better projections and more informed choices in such a market.

Metrics 81

Metrics Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Strategy 81

ToolsGroup

JULY 11, 2017

For instance, a Gartner industry benchmarking shows that a 1% increase in forecast accuracy typically achieves: 2-7% reduction in the value of total inventory as a percentage of sales (working capital). Gartner suggests that planners can also nudge finance across the functional divide by correlating their planning KPIs with financial targets.

S&OP 92

S&OP Supply and Demand Inventory Reduction Price Reduction 92

SCMDOJO

MARCH 24, 2025

Introduction Gardner, (1954) and Huntzinger, (2007) define Purchase price variance (PPV) as a metric used to measure the effectiveness of cost-saving efforts by calculating the difference between the planned cost (standard pricing) allocated for purchasing activities and the actual cost incurred. This helps in setting a benchmark.

Purchasing Skills 69

Purchasing Skills Negotiating Skills Negotiate Pricing Procurement Analytics 69

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 16, 2014

I have learned that supply chain systems are more complex than I originally thought, and that the relationships between supply chain metrics are nonlinear. These tools allow us to look at sell, source, make, and deliver together. After three years of research, I have just refined the methodology to start to pull the trends.

Supply Chain Design Software 319

Supply Chain Design Software Network Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Network Software 319

Logility

APRIL 2, 2020

A good KPI will be measurable against some benchmark or criteria. Phone * Company * Job Title * Zip Code * Source Asset Source Download ID. 2 Identify and get access to the right data sources. If you use data quality tools, monitor the amount of clean-up needed and work hard to improve the quality in source data systems.

Negotiating Skills 158

Negotiating Skills Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Purchasing Skills 158

AFFLINK

JUNE 10, 2025

Ethical Sourcing & Labor Standards As due diligence frameworks evolve, so too does the scrutiny placed on labor practices across the supply chain. Ethical sourcing ensures that suppliers adhere to human rights principles, prohibit forced or child labor, and operate with fair wages and safety policies.

Optimal Sourcing 48

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Design Software Waste Reduction Vendor Strategies 48