Talking Logistics

AUGUST 13, 2018

Companies across all industries are dealing with rising transportation costs and a key question many CEOs, CFOs, and supply chain executives are asking is, “What can we do to better manage and control our freight spend in today’s market?” The second question we get is what strategies can we implement to lower our transportation costs.

Negotiating Skills 145

Negotiating Skills Optimal Sourcing Optimization Software Price Mitigation Strategies 145

The Logistics of Logistics

MAY 1, 2024

Samuel Parker and Joe Lynch discuss DAT iQ: the metrics that matter. Key Takeaways: DAT iQ: The Metrics that Matter In the podcast interview, Samuel Parker gave a freight market overview based on DAT’s database of $150 billion in annual market transactions.

Metrics 246

Metrics Logistics Network Optimization Software Analytics Software Optimal Sourcing 246

SCMDOJO

OCTOBER 30, 2024

As businesses strive to enhance efficiency, resilience, and sustainability, the demand for skilled supply chain professionals has never been higher. This blog explores how MTSS platforms can be strategically utilized to build the competencies necessary for success in supply chain management.

Supply Chain Planning Software 97

Supply Chain Planning Software Analytics Software Forecasting Software Predictive Analytics Software 97

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Re-implement demand planning, trade promotion management, and revenue/price management together to improve the baseline demand signal. Initially, the output was published to procurement to design strategic buying strategies. The focus of the transportation suites was on cost mitigation and price negotiation.

Supply Chain Planning Software 355

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply and Demand Procurement Analytics 355

Precoro

DECEMBER 24, 2024

While procurement teams have long worked to add strategic value, Artificial Intelligence (AI) amplifies their impact. For example, AI can spot recurring or unnecessary costs, detect maverick spending (when employees purchase outside of approved channels), and identify opportunities for cost savings based on historical spending patterns.

Price Reduction 105

Price Reduction Sourcing Strategies Cost Reduction Strategies Expense Reduction 105

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 60

Purchasing Skills Negotiating Skills Negotiate Pricing Procurement Analytics 60

Freightos

APRIL 23, 2025

billion rate data points monthly to provide the most comprehensive view of the market, helping you identify savings opportunities and make data-driven decisions. It handles everything from rating and booking to shipment management, invoice auditing, and beyond. Ready to Transform Your Freight Operations?

Optimal Sourcing 156

Optimal Sourcing Benchmarking Manufacturing Procurement Modeling 156

Supply Chain Opz

SEPTEMBER 1, 2018

Do you need to improve negotiation skills but don't know how to start? In this article, we compare 2 books and tell you which one is the best negotiation book. Do You Need Negotiation Book? In our opinion, there are 2 major negotiation strategies, namely, the law school approach and the psychological school approach.

Negotiating Skills 100

Negotiating Skills Purchasing Skills Buyer Training Six Sigma 100

Jaggaer

FEBRUARY 5, 2025

Strategic Sourcing Simplified: Best Practices for Maximizing Value Strategic sourcing goes beyond cost savings its about making informed decisions that drive long-term value. Since reverse auctions focus heavily on price competitiveness, this can be easily done with sourcing software tools.

Sourcing Strategies 52

Sourcing Strategies Negotiating Skills Optimal Sourcing Price Reduction 52

SCMDOJO

JANUARY 29, 2025

Supply chain reports are data-driven documents that provide key metrics and insights into various aspects of your supply chain, including: Inventory Levels Tracking stock levels in real-time to ensure adequate inventory to meet demand while minimizing holding costs. truck, rail, air, sea) to identify the most cost-effective options.

Inventory Reduction 98

Inventory Reduction Negotiating Skills Cost Reduction Strategies Waste Reduction 98

GlobalTranz

JANUARY 4, 2017

And our client engages with 3PL by open book cost plus contracts and gain share and pain share incentive. What are the major KPI’s to be followed under the below attributes: Cost or Cost Savings. Customer metrics. Use Value Engineering : Reduce the Cost and retain the function of anything. Performance or Service.

Modeling 261

Modeling Negotiating Skills Cost Reduction Strategies Scenario Planning 261

GlobalTranz

AUGUST 26, 2021

In addition, shippers were responsible for the whole of their operations, ranging from carrier negotiations through freight settlement and dispute resolution practices like reverse logistics. . Download the White Paper: Transportation Optimization: Its Strategic Role in Transportation Management. These include: . Learn More.

Logistics Network Optimization Software 334

Logistics Network Optimization Software Transportation Management 3PL Transportation 334

Logistics Viewpoints

FEBRUARY 2, 2023

Maximize Revenues and Efficiency with Automated Billing An automated billing solution benefits both customer and 3PL alike, in that it captures all billable activities performed by the 3PL, while accurately reporting charges at the rates and conditions associated with each customer’s specific negotiated contract.

Supply Chain Planning Software 278

Supply Chain Planning Software Inventory Management Software Analytics Software Forecasting Software 278

Supply Chain Opz

JANUARY 7, 2013

To the best of my knowledge, many business schools still use the case study " Apple Computers Supplier Hubs: A Tale of Three Cities " from Stanford University (1996). Interesting point is that Apple Inc has to make the pre-payments to some suppliers to secure the strategic raw materials. 1) Apples Supply Chain Model.

Case Study 279

Case Study Study Negotiating Skills Supply Chain Planning Software 279

Precoro

DECEMBER 11, 2023

The dynamic landscape of modern business comes with increasing product variety and volatile prices, making it more important than ever to stay competitive on the market. To enhance their competitive edge, companies across industries are adopting a key tactic: strategic sourcing.

Negotiating Skills 105

Negotiating Skills Purchasing Skills Optimal Sourcing Sourcing Strategies 105

ivalua

MAY 10, 2025

Enterprise procurement leaders are under more pressure than ever—juggling cost control, compliance, supplier risk, and internal complexity, all while trying to modernize outdated systems. This evolution reflects procurement’s growing role as a strategic business partner.

Procurement Solutions 130

Procurement Solutions Sourcing Strategies Optimal Sourcing Analytics Software 130

Logistics Bureau

JANUARY 21, 2025

Supply chain efficiency focuses on improving your processes whilst also reducing costs. In my experience the tipping point is around 6 vehicles – thats when the complexity of manually managing your fleet starts to outweigh the cost of proper routing and scheduling software. What is Supply Chain Efficiency?

Supply Chain Design Software 98

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Design 98

SCMDOJO

FEBRUARY 26, 2025

Introduction As global supply chains evolve, ensuring cost efficiency is crucial. One way to assess the cost performance of any function within the supply chain is through Cost Performance Index (CPI). What contexts can it be used in and how, as well as the benefits of using cost performance index in supply chain contexts.

Negotiating Skills 52

Negotiating Skills Optimal Sourcing Negotiate Pricing Cost Reduction Strategies 52

ivalua

SEPTEMBER 10, 2019

Here’s a look at some of the Procure- to-Pay metrics procurement leaders should watch in order to better understand their digital progress. This metric closely aligns with digital transformation progress. This metric also impacts others like speed, visibility, and cost savings. . #2

Metrics 140

Metrics Negotiate Pricing Supply Chain Software Benchmarking 140

Precoro

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

This team controls what’s bought, from where, and at what cost for the entire organization. These benefits aren’t just about lower prices; they’re also about reducing transportation and inventory costs, which can really add up over time. They also continuously track supplier performance.

Pricing Training 105

Pricing Training Expense Reduction Price Reduction Purchasing Training 105

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

GlobalTranz

OCTOBER 16, 2015

We've negotiated rates with all the major carriers and maintained them. So we thought we would impart upon all the shippers out there some tips on how to reduce overall costs for effective LTL Procurement. 10 LTL Procurement Cost Cutting Tips. Analyze bids for optimal pricing and service scenarios.

Negotiating Skills 120

Negotiating Skills Price Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies Optimal Sourcing 120

ivalua

MAY 21, 2025

Enterprise procurement teams face growing pressure to deliver strategic value – managing supplier risk, ensuring compliance, and supporting sustainability – all without sacrificing speed or control. Key Takeaways Legacy procurement processes limit scale, speed, and visibility, making it harder to manage risk, compliance, and costs.

Optimal Sourcing 130

Optimal Sourcing Procurement Solutions Procurement Analytics Analytics Software 130

QAD

MAY 22, 2025

Rising costs, geopolitical tensions, and tariffs demand a strategic and holistic approach to maintain profitability and competitive advantage. There are many ways an organization can cut supply chain costs. For many large enterprises, procurement makes up a large part of a company’s total costs.

Cost Reduction Strategies 52

Cost Reduction Strategies Expense Reduction Price Reduction Waste Reduction 52

SCMDOJO

APRIL 11, 2025

Is inventory bloating your costs? Running procurement and supply chain without metrics is like driving blindfolded. Control Costs: Track value beyond just the purchase price and manage inventory effectively. Struggling with the true cost of ownership or serving your customers? Our course breaks down TCO/TCS.

Pricing Training 62

Pricing Training Negotiating Skills Purchasing Skills Optimal Sourcing 62

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 15, 2021

We Assumed that Transportation Would Always Be Available And That We Just Needed to Negotiate Price. Lane RFPs focused on cost reduction, but few asked if they had a feasible plan. Without any penalties for failure for first-pass tender acceptance, carriers and shippers have played a shell game on price.

Supply Chain Design Software 355

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Sourcing Strategies Supply and Demand 355

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 7, 2021

They face higher costs. In some cases, those same caps bring even higher costs. They have less negotiation power with carriers and partners. Proactive shippers have used multi-carrier parcel shipping technologies and strategies to navigate rising carrier costs for years. They must navigate carrier parcel volume caps.

Capacity 276

Capacity Price Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies Inventory Reduction 276

Talking Logistics

JUNE 30, 2015

In the last decade, many companies, especially those with manufacturing operations, have evolved direct materials sourcing from an administrative function to a strategic procurement process. As a strategic process, transportation procurement may still seem very tedious and challenging.

Negotiating Skills 100

Negotiating Skills Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Material Savings 100

Logistics Viewpoints

JULY 19, 2021

A ton of steel can cost as little as $700. A pound of apples costs about the same as a pound of steel, yet steel is a complex product produced using high-tech metallurgical and manufacturing processes. The goal is to produce an integrated plan that meets the strategic goals of the overall organization.

Supply Chain Planning Software 290

Supply Chain Planning Software Scenario Planning Supply Chain Planning Negotiating Skills 290

Precoro

JUNE 3, 2025

With today’s growing cost pressures and increasingly complex supply chains , quick fixes no longer cut it. Category Management (CM) is a strategic procurement approach that groups related purchases into categories to manage each as a strategic unit. High-cost drivers , such as low-volume purchases or overspecified items.

Manufacturing Procurement 45

Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Procurement Solutions Material Savings 45

ToolsGroup

JUNE 2, 2023

When reference data – such as product codes, supplier information, and warehouse locations – is misaligned across systems, it can cause discrepancies in transactional data, leading to inaccurate inventory levels and unreliable performance metrics. Plus, accurate inventory information is the key to optimal decision-making.

Real-time Visibility 294

Real-time Visibility Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing Inventory Reduction 294

Procurement Academy

OCTOBER 19, 2023

A crucial part of successful procurement strategies is the art and science of negotiation. Procurement negotiation refers to a buyer (usually from a company) and a seller (usually from a supplier) working together and discussing the likes of pricing, terms, conditions, and other aspects of a procurement contract.

Negotiating Skills 52

Negotiating Skills Pricing Training Negotiate Pricing Purchasing Training 52

Precoro

MAY 13, 2025

In times like these, cost efficiency becomes the real hero.   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. The path to sustained growth begins with smart spending. 

Sourcing Strategies 45

Sourcing Strategies Cost Reduction Strategies Purchasing Skills Negotiating Skills 45

SCMDOJO

OCTOBER 7, 2024

However, the game-changer is how Cost Efficiency and Cost Effectiveness play their role in the supply chain. In addition, management commitment, and continuous improvement that includes process optimization, digitalization, supplier negotiation, and customer feedback can reap the rewards. What is Cost Efficiency?

Sourcing Strategies 88

Sourcing Strategies Negotiating Skills Cost Reduction Strategies Optimal Sourcing 88

Logistics Bureau

NOVEMBER 26, 2024

The specific focus of this article, is on traditional Third Party Logistics (3PL) contracts and the types of pricing mechanisms available for use within warehousing contracts, and does not cover other very important aspects such as: Planning and management of the selection process. Contract negotiation.

3PL 98

3PL Negotiating Skills Price Reduction Resource Reduction 98

SCMDOJO

FEBRUARY 16, 2025

They can proactively identify risks, optimize processes in real time, and even negotiate supplier contracts without human oversight. These AI agents leverage real-time data, predictive analytics, and generative AI to enhance resilience, reduce costs, and improve overall efficiency in AI-driven supply chain resilience.

Optimal Sourcing 62

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software Sourcing Strategies 62

GlobalTranz

MAY 24, 2016

It produces results at a fraction of the cost of full truckload (FT) or small package shipping. Reduced Training Costs. Training new hires is the highest cost associated with new employees. When more carriers are available for use, the cost savings increase. Contract Negotiation. Greater Selection of Carriers.

Purchasing Training 216

Purchasing Training Negotiating Skills Supply Chain Design Software Forecasting Software 216