Precoro

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

For most CPOs and CFOs, deciding on the right purchasing setup — centralized or decentralized — is no small task. Each model has its perks, and choosing the best fit can feel like walking a tightrope. Keep reading to learn: What is centralized purchasing? What is centralized purchasing?

Pricing Training 105

Pricing Training Price Reduction Expense Reduction Purchasing Training 105

ivalua

JUNE 12, 2025

If you’re evaluating procurement technology or exploring ways to drive more value from existing systems, chances are you’re looking beyond tactical fixes – you want a smarter, scalable strategy. Misaligned priorities across finance, legal, and procurement create friction that delays decision-making and reduces impact.

Cost Reduction Strategies 130

Cost Reduction Strategies Material Savings Expense Reduction Negotiating Skills 130

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 3, 2025

The formula for OTIF is: Measuring a supply chain against OTIF metrics is a key strategy that helps decision makers attach a tangible value to the success of their fulfillment and allows them to determine key strategies. Organizations are ready to implement AI and ML-driven prediction and productivity gains.

Optimal Sourcing 225

Optimal Sourcing Optimization Software Sourcing Strategies Price Mitigation Strategies 225

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 27, 2025

A disruption at any point in the global logistics network including the average of 12 touch points from shipment packaging to final delivery can prove disastrous for profits, service levels, customer loyalty, and other key metrics. With the global e-commerce market predicted to reach $8.1 billion to $23.07

Supply Chain Planning Software 330

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Network Software Logistics Network Optimization Software Predictive Analytics Software 330

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 1, 2021

In a previous post , I made a case for how the Chief Supply Chain Officer (CSCO) and Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) are smarter together. Accordingly Supply Chain and Procurement will need continuous collaboration. Here are some examples of such use cases.

Optimal Sourcing 283

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Procurement Solutions 283

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 18, 2025

A majority of warehouses report labor shortages, and more than 50% cite this as a significant business challenge that is only worsening. For example, Manhattan Associates’ WMS now includes “Action Assist,” an AI-powered chat interface that helps floor workers access SOPs and diagnostics instantly.

Demand Planning Software 163

Demand Planning Software Optimization Software Logistics Network Optimization Software Warehousing 163

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. Alex Zhong, Director Product Marketing at GEP.

Supply Chain Network Software 309

Supply Chain Network Software Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Optimal Sourcing 309

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

Enterra Insights

MARCH 28, 2022

The past couple of years has been a remarkable time for e-commerce as more and more consumers have discovered the digital path to purchase. Across industries and regions, people prioritized essentials and reduced impulse purchases. ” Paving the digital path to purchase (i.e., worldwide in 2020, according to eMarketer.”[1]

Procurement Analytics 246

Procurement Analytics Procurement Solutions Purchasing Skills Price Reduction 246

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.

Purchasing Skills 69

Purchasing Skills Negotiating Skills Negotiate Pricing Procurement Analytics 69

Precoro

JUNE 3, 2025

Businesses often use it in retail and purchasing. Category management isn’t just another procurement trend. It’s a way for companies to group similar goods or services (like IT infrastructure, facilities, or raw materials) and manage them holistically instead of handling every purchase in isolation.

Manufacturing Procurement 45

Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Procurement Solutions Material Savings 45

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

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.) Understanding this relationship requires modeling. (A A Case Study.

Procurement Analytics 369

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

Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 25, 2024

Wikipedia In 2014, I was exploring methods to publish what is now the Supply Chains To Admire report. The use of orbit charts allowed me to see the patterns of performance at the intersection of metrics over time. We purchase data from Y charts. (A We have archived corporate reporting from Y charts for 1982-2023.

Eliminating Excel in Purchasing 384

Eliminating Excel in Purchasing Gartner Supply Chain Design Supply Chain Strategy 384

Logistics Viewpoints

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

When shoppers were asked what would put them off making more ecommerce purchases in the future, 21% indicated they’d had negative delivery experiences, 20% said deliveries were not reliable, and 17% were dissatisfied with the delivery process. Similarly, maintaining a strong chain of custody (e.g.,

Resource Reduction 217

Resource Reduction Price Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies Vendor Strategies 217

Supply Chain Shaman

JANUARY 9, 2024

As an old gal, with over forty-years of supply chain experience, writing this report for ten years taught me many lessons. I find in the orbit chart analysis that 45% of companies in the report are unconsciously incompetent. For example, in Figure A, we share on orbit chart on how Sanofi is underperforming the industry.

Supply Chain Planning Software 386

Supply Chain Planning Software Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Planning Gartner 386

Logility

MARCH 13, 2020

Here’s your two-minute guide to understanding and selecting the right descriptive, predictive and prescriptive analytics for use across your supply chain. Looking at all the analytic options can be a daunting task. However, luckily these analytic options can be categorized at a high level into three distinct types.

Prescriptive Analytics Software 211

Prescriptive Analytics Software Predictive Analytics Procurement Analytics Analytics Software 211

RFgen

DECEMBER 4, 2024

Supply chain efficiency is the cornerstone of success and involves the effective management of processes, resources, and technologies from procurement to production, transportation to warehousing. In the automotive sector, manufacturers are simultaneously reducing inventory costs and delivery times.

Sourcing Strategies 96

Sourcing Strategies Waste Reduction Inventory Reduction Expense Reduction 96

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 21, 2022

Self-driving supply chains are an example. On the technology front, optimization is deeper, and the evolution of artificial intelligence enables more flexible sensing and modeling. There is no magic ball on design: the organization’s reporting structures vary by culture and size. Supply Chain Reporting Structures.

Supply Chain Planning Software 376

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

Logistics Viewpoints

AUGUST 5, 2021

PwC reports that almost half of assets under management are held by investment firms committed to decarbonization. Similarly, UPS has strong commitments to sustainability and invests in many options, such as alternative fuel vehicles, e-cycles in dense cities, and carbon offsets for purchase with shipping.

Supply Chain Planning Software 322

Supply Chain Planning Software Sustainability Material Savings Supply Chain Planning 322

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 1, 2024

I see a preponderance of reports and white papers that have lots of pages but say little. Optimization engines to improve functional metric performance resulted in an exploding number of planners. Let’s take a couple of examples: Retail Available to Promise (ATP). days to receive a purchase order confirmation.

Supply Chain Planning Software 392

Supply Chain Planning Software Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Waste Reduction 392

Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 13, 2024

How aligned do you believe your organization is to drive these metrics? For example, in the research, I found maturity in Cadbury, DuPont, and Gilette processes. See the World Kitchen case study in the Agility Report. A good leader knows that cost reductions in the back office does not necessarily improve margins.

S&OP 393

S&OP Supply and Demand Inventory Reduction Expense Reduction 393

Precoro

MAY 13, 2025

  In this guide, we’ll explore what cost efficiency is, examples, and best practices on how cost efficiency can make your company more competitive and profitable in today's fast-paced economy. Keep reading to learn: Cost-efficient vs. cost-effective: What's the difference?

Sourcing Strategies 45

Sourcing Strategies Cost Reduction Strategies Purchasing Skills Negotiating Skills 45

GlobalTranz

JUNE 30, 2017

In other words, manufacturers need analytics from point-of-sale systems, transportation metrics and more. Essentially, this creates a stronger level of customer service, and it can turn into additional purchases. For example, a customer is a shoe store may purchase shoes, but if offered a new brand of socks, he or she refuses.

Manufacturing Procurement 275

Manufacturing Procurement Manufacturing Procurement Analytics Price Reduction 275

Logistics Viewpoints

MAY 13, 2024

This technology allows businesses to unify their procurement, expense management, invoicing, payments, sourcing, contract management, and spend analysis processes and reporting. This solution provides for purchase order collaboration. But it took several months for Turner to realize just how much foresight the company had shown.

Procurement Solutions 293

Procurement Solutions Forecasting Software Modeling Software Procurement Analytics 293

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 7, 2023

Let me give you an example. Improve visibility across the networks that operate in self-serving business models. For example, change the business models so that Ariba must interoperate with GT Nexus, E2Open with Elemica, MPO (Kinaxis) with Nulogy, etc. A purchase order changes many times and needs synchronization.

Supply Chain Design Software 395

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Supply Chain Software 395

GlobalTranz

FEBRUARY 13, 2017

According to PLS Logistics , global companies will install procurement managers in China for entire organizations by 2025. There was a time when buying a computer was considered a once-in-a-decade purchase, if not once-in-a-lifetime. Globalization Will Become More Important in Everyday Decisions.

Resource Reduction 280

Resource Reduction Inventory Reduction Trends Logistics Network Optimization Software 280

Precoro

FEBRUARY 26, 2025

Within this setup, an ERP procurement module helps companies make purchases and manage suppliers. Numbers speak louder: According to Procurement Tactics’ top procurement trends in 2025 , 83% of CPOs prioritize digitization.   Keep reading to learn: What Is ERP in Procurement?

Procurement Solutions 45

Procurement Solutions Optimal Sourcing Procurement Analytics Manufacturing Procurement 45

Precoro

MARCH 27, 2025

Rising costs, supply chain chaos, and economic swings put businesses under enormous pressure to protect their margins. According to McKinsey & Company, procurement accounts for 50% to 80% of a company’s cost base. That’s why organizations zero in on strategies to achieve procurement cost reduction. 

Cost Reduction Strategies 45

Cost Reduction Strategies Price Reduction Expense Reduction Vendor Strategies 45

Logistics Viewpoints

FEBRUARY 11, 2021

At the same time, the Chief Purchasing Officer (CPO) has taken on a pivotal role by securing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect the workforce and direct materials when primary sources fail. Sourcing and supply chains working in a siloed manner can cause significant delays, resulting in lost revenue upside while escalating costs.

Manufacturing Procurement 284

Manufacturing Procurement Sourcing Strategies Pharmaceutical Procurement Solutions 284

Silvon Software

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Silvon has noticed over the past several years that a shift towards a modern data hub architecture to support enterprise analytics and reporting has been driven by a number of key business drivers. Once integrated, the data is made “analytics ready” and securely available to users.

Procurement Analytics 105

Procurement Analytics Report Data Optimal Sourcing 105

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 23, 2023

I never republished the report, because not enough has changed to warrant it.) The report centers on the concept of moving from inside-out to outside-in technologies. The order latency is the time from purchase by the end consumer to the visibility of the order. This is a natural fit for narrow AI and new forms of analytics.

Supply Chain Planning Software 369

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Scenario Planning Modeling 369

ToolsGroup

AUGUST 1, 2022

Retail returns occur when a customer returns the purchased items to a seller in exchange for a refund, store credit, or a similar product. Returns come with plenty of challenges around logistics, inventory, and predicting volatile sales trends. 83% of consumers with a household income of over $100,000 report that returns are important.

Retail 296

Retail Optimal Sourcing Purchasing Skills Procurement Solutions 296

Kinaxis

MAY 16, 2025

Shoppers coping with inflation have shifted buying habits , purchasing fewer goods and cutting back on big name brands in favor of cheaper alternatives. Solutions that simulate multiple tariff outcomes and their costs are especially powerful in this volatile environment. goods were “ rapidly dropping.”

Beverage 144

Beverage Price Reduction Canada Cost Reduction Strategies 144

Jaggaer

APRIL 24, 2025

Supply chain management typically does not fit very well with procurement, which is a challenge at the best of times, and can be a disaster in difficult times. Then they became regional: for example, a North American supply chain and a European one. Procurement must adjust accordingly. Our thinking is still siloed.

Optimal Sourcing 52

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Demand Planning Software 52

Logistics Viewpoints

FEBRUARY 7, 2024

For example, most people expect free next-day delivery for online purchases as a result of Amazon Prime. And more consumers are looking at sustainability as a key motivator for purchasing. Amazon, for example, has purchased over 100,000 Rivian electric vehicles for deliveries.

Waste Reduction 313

Waste Reduction Supply Chain Design Software Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Optimization 313

Jaggaer

FEBRUARY 5, 2025

In the end-to-end source-to-pay (S2P) process , strategic sourcing is the link between spend analytics, category management and contracts management, and is supported by supplier intelligence. You probably would not want to waste time and effort strategically sourcing your paperclip supplies, for example. And in what sense?

Negotiating Skills 52

Negotiating Skills Sourcing Strategies Purchasing Skills Optimal Sourcing 52