Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 2, 2025

We have not designed the planning systems to serve managers, directors, and vice presidents, aiming to improve decision-making and collaboration across the source, make, and deliver processes. This could all change if we discard our current definitions of supply chain planning and start anew. In short, don’t AI stupid.

Optimal Sourcing 195

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Supply Chain Design Software 195

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 10, 2025

Supply chain was defined in 1982 as interoperability between source, make and deliver. Using design theory, the current definitions of planning have regressed despite the advance of promising technologies. Ask a procurement or transportation professional if they have a good demand signal and expect a laugh.

Supply Chain Planning Software 221

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Software Waste Reduction 221

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 15, 2022

As an analyst, I am always searching for answers and clear definitions. Companies became less clear on the definition of supply chain excellence and how to implement decision support technologies. This increasing gaps in alignment and clarity of the definition of supply chain excellence was an unspoken risk entering the pandemic.

Manufacturing Procurement 397

Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Procurement Analytics 397

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 27, 2021

Too few companies have a holistic approach to embrace the plan, make, source, and deliver together. The problem with supplier visibility is bookended into procurement processes that have gone back, not forward over the last decade. Current State of Visibility. What To Do? Constantly tweak and change the design based on network shifts.

Supply Chain Planning Software 390

Supply Chain Planning Software Sourcing Strategies Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Design Software 390

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 11, 2020

The discipline, first defined in 1982, includes source, make, deliver, and planning functions. This is true even though we are not clear on the definition of next-generation processes. My overarching question centered on the vision and definition of a direct material solution. The supply chain career is new. Evolution is messy.

Supply Chain Design Software 362

Supply Chain Design Software Procurement Solutions Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software 362

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 15, 2023

When deploying enterprise decision support applications, there are many implementations and lots of hype but few clear and consistent definitions. When he speaks of the supply chain, he means procurement. We can never have great discussions unless we are clear on definitions. What do they have in common? This is his world.

Supply Chain Planning Software 418

Supply Chain Planning Software Optimal Sourcing Modeling Supply Chain Software 418

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 18, 2023

Challenges Traditional definitions of supply chain excellence focus myopically on cost but are too slow in making decisions in inflationary periods. In the face of variability, this is two-to-six weeks too long to make allocation or procurement decisions. Build in-market sourcing. Shift in cycles.

Supply Chain Planning Software 417

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Software 417

SCMDOJO

DECEMBER 11, 2023

In the realm of efficient procurement management, understanding the various types of procurement reports becomes paramount. These reports serve as navigational tools, offering insights into different facets of the procurement process.

Procurement Analytics 21

Procurement Analytics Optimal Sourcing Procurement Solutions Material Savings 21

Logistics Viewpoints

AUGUST 15, 2022

GEP and the North Carolina State University (NCSU) Supply Chain Resource Cooperative surveyed supply chain, procurement and IT professionals across a range of industries to gain insight into their priorities and strategies regarding supply chain resilience and optimization. Procurement solutions are often updated with purchased information.

Supply Chain Network Software 309

Supply Chain Network Software Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Optimal Sourcing 309

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 30, 2014

In the mid-1980s, leaders like Colgate, Intel, and Procter & Gamble defined supply chain organizations where source, make and deliver functions reported through the same organization, and had a common leader. We are still very early in the definition of end-to-end supply chain excellence. It was a special club. This all changed.

Agile and Lean Supply Chain 320

Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Strategy Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain 320

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 3, 2024

A Closer Look at Digital For a decade, I have struggled to get a clear definition on the digital supply chain. Definition: With reference to a dog used for hunting game, the colloquial American-English phrase that dog won’t hunt , and its variants, are used to express the opinion that a particular plan or approach will not succeed.

Supply Chain Planning Software 369

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Modeling Software Forecasting Software 369

Logility

MAY 25, 2022

Now more than ever, the conventional silos of planning, sourcing, and procurement teams must be connected into one cohesive network. However, as Gartner noted, the definitions of the activities that should be included are unclear in most cases. Let’s face it ? the traditional supply chain model is falling short.

Optimal Sourcing 130

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software 130

Jaggaer

FEBRUARY 5, 2025

Strategic Sourcing Success: Best Practices and Key Strategies Of course, there are many definition s of source-to-pay but put simply, strategic sourcing is a data-driven approach to securing the best value for your organization from its strategic suppliers. How Has Strategic Sourcing Evolved?

Negotiating Skills 52

Negotiating Skills Purchasing Skills Sourcing Strategies Optimal Sourcing 52

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 31, 2024

What is the role of make, source, and deliver? Define a proactive approach and the value/economies of scale of planning manufacturing/transportation and sourcing together. Define the roles of the regions/divisions and global organization by division, and align the manufacturing, distribution and procurement functions.

Supply Chain Planning Software 413

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain Design Software Scenario Planning 413

Supply Chain Shaman

JANUARY 25, 2024

My definition of a network is the bi-directional information exchange of manufacturing, procurement, quality, and transportation signals across multiple tiers of trading partners in a many-to-many trading partner information exchange with minimal latency. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) does not meet this definition.

Supply Chain Network Software 359

Supply Chain Network Software Manufacturing Procurement Inventory Reduction Purchasing Skills 359

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 13, 2023

While teams wave their hands and talk digital, I find digital projects ideas lack definition, clarity of process, and success. Let’s start with a clear definition. The primary investments are in networks of limited capabilities based on EDI, and indirect procurement spend management. Can we supercharge this? I think maybe.

Optimal Sourcing 368

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Supply Chain Planning 368

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 3, 2018

Let’s Start with Definitions: One of the difficulties in supply chain is the lack of common definitions. To help the reader, let’s start with definitions used in our research: Efficiency. Successful network design strategies are holistic crossing the boundaries of source, make and deliver.

Supply Chain Planning Software 377

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Software 377

Precoro

MAY 13, 2025

Cost-efficient meaning Formula for cost efficiency Cost-effective definition Formula for cost-effectiveness Cost efficiency online calculator Benefits of cost efficiency for your company Steps to improve cost efficiencies Frequently asked questions about cost efficiency Cost-efficient vs. cost-effective: What's the difference?

Sourcing Strategies 45

Sourcing Strategies Cost Reduction Strategies Purchasing Skills Negotiating Skills 45

Supply Chain Matters

APRIL 16, 2025

The following Supply Chain Matters multi-part guest commentary is authored by Michael Lamoureux who provides over 18 years of experience and observations and experience in procurement sourcing technology applications. Michael is the Editor-in-Chief of the Sourcing Innovation blog. We’ll explore each of these. Why is this?

Optimal Sourcing 52

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software 52

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 21, 2022

Definition of Confirmation Bias. So, I smile, catch my dinner partner’s eye and ask, “In our prior conversations, you mentioned the lack of clarity on the definition of supply chain excellence in your current deployments and how this is a barrier to implementing supply chain planning properly. Are the plans executed?

Supply Chain Planning Software 376

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Optimal Sourcing Modeling 376

Supply Chain Shaman

MARCH 12, 2019

The confusion starts when a supply chain leader states the need for improved visibility without a clear definition. In 2004-2006, Greg Aimi (now a Gartner analyst) and I worked on a common definition of visibility for over a year. Control tower , by definition, is similar. These sources while functional are difficult to connect.

Prescriptive Analytics Software 220

Prescriptive Analytics Software Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Analytics Software 220

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 9, 2023

Each box has an optimizer that drives output from a model based on a functional definition using enterprise data. With the rise of logistics and procurement constraints, an analysis of only manufacturing does not yield a feasible plan. Companies need a planning solution to analyze the trade-offs between make, source, and deliver.

Optimal Sourcing 363

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software Supply and Demand Manufacturing Procurement 363

Precoro

JUNE 3, 2025

Definition: Category management is a systematic way to organize and supervise groups of products or services within a company. Category management isn’t just another procurement trend. Category management isn’t just another procurement trend. Category management definition means looking beyond individual purchases.

Manufacturing Procurement 45

Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Procurement Solutions Material Savings 45

QAD

JANUARY 16, 2025

Despite its success, KION faced significant challenges in managing its extensive supplier network and procurement processes. For the mitigation of supply chain and business risks , we need closer integration and easy collaboration with our suppliers, said Jens Brethauer, VP of e-Procurement & Digitalization at KION.

Optimal Sourcing 52

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Negotiate Pricing Negotiating Skills 52

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 29, 2024

Be very clear on the definitions, root issues, and desired outcomes. Don’t run a selection process through procurement or finance. Explore to understand the data sources, the cleanliness and frequency of data, and evaluate the use of machine learning and NoSQL to improve data quality and reduce data latency. Next Steps?

Supply Chain Planning Software 417

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Software Forecasting Software 417

SCMDOJO

DECEMBER 29, 2024

Decoding the Procurement Department: A Comprehensive Guide to Roles and Responsibilities This supply chain article provides a comprehensive overview of the procurement department within an organization. Read In Detail About Procurement Department Here 2.

Negotiating Skills 95

Negotiating Skills Purchasing Skills Purchasing Training Buyer Training 95

Procurement Academy

JANUARY 16, 2025

Looking to improve operations and achieve cost savings within your procurement processes? A process audit report is designed to, ultimately, streamline processes, enhance decision-making and drive overall procurement excellence. What is the Purpose of a Process Audit Report?

Procurement Analytics 52

Procurement Analytics Sourcing Strategies Optimal Sourcing Negotiating Skills 52

QAD

MAY 1, 2025

In todays complex and often volatile global environment, procurement leaders face mounting pressure to cut sourcing costs while navigating geopolitical instability, inflation, tariffs and talent shortages. The truth is, sourcing smarter isnt just about softwareits about strategy, support, and best practices.

Sourcing Strategies 52

Sourcing Strategies Cost Reduction Strategies Purchasing Skills Optimal Sourcing 52

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 9, 2014

The team was organized around the functional silos of source, make and deliver. Their career paths, their identities, and their comfort zones were steeped in the traditional definitions. Most companies think that they know what this means; but, to be actionable they need definition. It had been this way for over two decades.

Manufacturing Procurement 318

Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing Benchmarking Supply Chain Design Software 318

Logistics Viewpoints

AUGUST 16, 2021

ARC’s definition is that a supply chain collaboration network is a “collaborative solution for supply chain processes built on a public cloud – many-to-many architecture – which supports a community of trading partners and third-party data feeds. What is this Market? The solution is called a supply chain collaboration network (SCCN).

Gartner 301

Gartner Supply Chain Planning Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Software 301

Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 26, 2023

Primed for transactional efficiency, these legacy architectures based on relational databases drive order-to-cash and procure-to-pay efficiencies. Or a unified data model across source, make, and deliver for planning? Let’s start with a basic definition. I term this our data jail. Why are semantics important? Stay tuned.

Optimal Sourcing 369

Optimal Sourcing Modeling Supply and Demand Manufacturing Procurement 369

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 10, 2021

The EDI Vans lack multi-tier process canonical (agreed multi-party definitions). We cannot confuse data sharing with the process definition. SAP Ariba started as an indirect procurement network and lagged the market in developing multi-tier process definition.) No network crosses over the source, make, deliver processes.

SAP 248

SAP Supply Chain Network Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software 248

Precoro

MAY 19, 2025

Companies often push aside procurement compliance to focus on more pressing issues. No wonder—procurement often gets tedious and burdened with time-consuming processes. However, ignoring procurement compliance is like ignoring a ticking time bomb. Scroll down to find out: What is procurement compliance?

Procurement Analytics 45

Procurement Analytics Procurement Solutions Manufacturing Procurement Examples 45

Supply Chain Game Changer

JANUARY 21, 2020

Procurement language article originally published by, and permission to publish here provided by, Sam Jenks at kodiakrating.com. From one Procurement organization to the next, terminology differs. Procurement is a function, that is undergoing transformation; technologically and ideologically. Subscribe Here! Email Address.

Procurement Solutions 108

Procurement Solutions Procurement Purchasing Training South Africa 108

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 6, 2013

For clarity, the definitions are: -Strategic Planning: The frequency is either monthly or quarterly and the focus is on long-term planning. It combines decisions across sell, deliver, make and source processes to drive value based outcomes. Many are not. This includes optimization and discrete event simulation. Metrics Alignment.

Supply Chain Planning Software 330

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Optimal Sourcing Scenario Planning 330

The Logistics & Supply Chain Management Society

OCTOBER 15, 2023

The Approach to Effective Freight Procurement by LSCMS Shippers’ Council Container shipping procurement faces a multitude of challenges shaped by global events, industry shifts, environmental mandates, and technological advancements. At the heart of it all, an effective procurement strategy remains paramount.

Optimal Sourcing 130

Optimal Sourcing Procurement Freight Sourcing Strategies 130

Silvon Software

APRIL 19, 2022

Procurement is one core process area being focused to better manage today’s fluctuating change, with key performance metrics leading the way to assessing and managing procurement performance. The Basics of Procurement KPIs. Download Silvon’s Definitive Guide to KPIs : Concepts, Best Practices & More. Supplier KPIs.

Optimal Sourcing 124

Optimal Sourcing Procurement Analytics Manufacturing Procurement Negotiate Pricing 124