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However, as carbon taxes and emissions reporting requirements continue increasing, supply chain professionals face mounting pressures from inside and outside their organizations to measure and improve performance against new, nebulous sustainability metrics. Freight transportation makes up over 10% of total global carbon emissions.
Procurement and supply chain management are often used interchangeably—but in practice, the lines between them can blur in ways that create real friction. Misaligned priorities, siloed systems, and unclear ownership can directly impact key performance indicators like cost savings percentage and procurement cycle time.
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than ever—juggling cost control, compliance, supplier risk, and internal complexity, all while trying to modernize outdated systems. AI, automation, and generative tools are redefining efficiency, allowing procurement teams to move from reactive to proactive decision-making.
As supply chains become more interconnected and risks more dynamic, traditional procurementtools fall short. AI agents offer a smarter, faster way to manage sourcing, risk, and spend across the entire procurement lifecycle. What’s the technology behind autonomous procurement agents? You may also have heard of Agentic AI.
As supply chains become more interconnected and risks more dynamic, traditional procurementtools fall short. AI agents offer a smarter, faster way to manage sourcing, risk, and spend across the entire procurement lifecycle. What’s the technology behind autonomous procurement agents? You may also have heard of Agentic AI.
In this type of environment, traditional procurementsoftware and manual processes are insufficient – and many procurement teams are looking to artificial intelligence (AI) for answers. Key Takeaways Understand the potential impact of AI – including Generative AI & AI Agents – in procurement.
Strategic sourcing and innovative solutions are often viewed as two distinct procurementtools, but they should not be seen in isolation. Think of them as apples and gearseach essential and effective on its own, yet when combined; they create a formidable mechanism for achieving procurement excellence. Click here!
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
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.
Traditionally, procurement has been a process weighed down by manual tasks, fragmented systems, and endless paperwork. Today, procurement is undergoing a transformation. While procurement teams have long worked to add strategic value, Artificial Intelligence (AI) amplifies their impact.
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. Inadequacy of Planning Tools The second challenge identified by respondents was the inadequacy of planning tools.
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.
That’s why staying on top of the latest supply chain planning trends is so important – they can make all the difference when it comes to staying competitive, reducing costs, and meeting your customers’ needs. Here are some highlights from these trends in 2023 and implications on supply chain planning.
In todays fast-moving business landscape, leaders need immediate, trustworthy insights to outpace competitors, spot trends before they escalate into problems, and seize opportunities as they arise. Thats why modern BI systems are quickly becoming the go-to solution for data-driven enterprises.
What is Vendor Relationship Management (VRM) and Why It’s Essential for Your ERP and Inventory Software? Strong vendor relationships are critical for business success, especially when it comes to managing inventory and procurement. Why is Vendor Relationship Management Important? Why is Vendor Relationship Management Important?
It is crucial for organizations to understand the importance of Purchase Order collaboration to effectively manage their direct spend, optimize operations, and mitigate risks. The post The Power of Purchase Order Collaboration: A Game-Changer in Managing Direct Spend appeared first on Logistics Viewpoints.
It is our mission to provide education around transportation management, trends in transportation, pertinent regulation changes and impacts on transportation, and anything related to trucking and carriers. Let’s take a look at these trucking industry trends and what kind of facts they provide. Read the Full Blog Post.
Similar to the supply chain maturity curve of technologies, as explained by Steve Banker of Forbes , supply chain managers should consider how top supply chain trends will influence operations in the coming year. Learn the Landscape, trends, types, & applications. What Top Supply Chain Trends Can We Look Forward to in 2018.
Mobile inventory management is a digital solution that combines a mobile inventory app with cloud-based software to track, manage, and optimize inventory in real-time. Cloud software: Stores and distributes real-time data, producing reports accessible to all team members. Let’s get started!
However, this year promises a significant paradigm shift where traditional performance metrics are replaced by technology-driven frameworks, as recent breakthroughs with Generative AI in supply chains have demonstrated. Enter our list of supply chain trends for 2024.
Interview for Metrics That Matter. My kitchen table is piled high with interviews for the upcoming book, Metrics That Matter. He is responsible for manufacturing, procurement, supply chain planning, logistics, quality, social responsibility and final product engineering. ” Supply Chain Leader. I am behind. The heat is on.
Understanding how your Procurement and Supply Chain KPIs are performing isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for survival and growth. But what if you could get a clear, birds-eye view of your core performance without investing in complex, expensive software? Why You Need Visibility of Supply Chain and Procurement KPIs?
That’s where manufacturing inventory management software comes in. The right software can streamline your production, optimize stock levels, and even help you save money. We’re talking real-time tracking, automated purchasing, and a whole lot less stress.
There are a number of challenges when adopting and deploying a data analytics solution, and it’s important for organizations to clearly define their goals and objectives before embarking on this endeavor. The question is how to develop and deploy the right data analysis tools and techniques to mine intelligence from that data.
That’s why it’s essential to be sure you’re equipping your organization with the right demand planning software. When you choose the right solution, you can stay ahead of fluctuations in customer demand, achieve high levels of forecast accuracy, handle seasonality, and drive collaboration across supply chain stakeholders.
The landscape of public sector procurement has undergone significant transformation in recent years, driven by advancements in technology, evolving regulatory frameworks, and an increasing emphasis on sustainability. Predictive analytics powered by ML helps organizations anticipate procurementtrends and identify potential risks.
Businesses often use it in retail and purchasing. Category management isn’t just another procurementtrend. 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.
Top 3 Procurement Technologies to Embrace in 2025 Staying ahead of key procurement technology and advancements is essential for CPOs who want to improve spend cost reduction, drive strategic value, and navigate the increasingly complex procurement landscape.
Streamline Your Route Planning Process Daily route planning can quickly become overwhelming, especially if you’re managing delivery routes using spreadsheets, manual methods, or basic mapping tools. Top 10 Route Planning SoftwareSolutions: Overview Here’s a quick comparison of the top route planning softwaresolutions in 2025.
Depending on the nature of your business, your trading partners or your location, this could include procurement strategies, demand planning, logistics, and global trade management among others. Mastering Direct Spend Management Procurement teams generally do not report to the chief supply chain officer.
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. Every KPI needs a clearly defined goal. Supplier KPIs.
3 Key Metrics for Measuring Supply Chain Performance Beyond Cost Reduction. Inventory measurement is critical and it is money after all in that it took a capital expense to procure. 10 Soft Metric Considerations in Measuring Supply Chain Performance. View our Trends Category to stay up to speed. . Read more. .
We continue to see strong interest in our domain expertise and our solutions to help companies navigate the complex trade landscape. Acquisition of 3GTMS On March 24, 2025, Descartes acquired all of the shares of 3GTMS, a leading provider of transportation management solutions. Additions to property and equipment (1.9)
The purchasing department plays a critical role in the success of an organization. Thought-out practices and well-managed workflows within the purchasing department are crucial for making sure that the company has the necessary resources available at the right time and at a reasonable cost.
ABC analysis creates product segments by grouping products with similar sales volume or purchase frequency to enable category managers to focus on what matters most. Now, we can do better than that by using advanced analytics, which can be extended to include more dimensions, such as trends, and provide further insights.
Lower-income consumers and those using food assistance programs care the most about food waste as a purchase driver—again, suggesting it is a response to higher prices.” The same “If” statement was repeated for a host of financial and operational metrics.
I also shared with them my view that companies will ultimately find opportunities for supply chain innovation at the intersection of Software, B2B Connectivity, and Social Networking — a trend best illustrated by the rise of Supply Chain Operating Networks (SCONs). How are companies using SCONs in the real world?
This blog explains The Key MRP Metrics in Supply Chain whcih every supply chain professional in Manufacturing or Distribution Businesses. The metrics that underpin MRP could be described as the balls in this juggling act. This article takes an in-depth look at the crucial metrics every supply chain professional needs to know.
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. The key thing to remember is that cost reduction in procurement isn’t just about slashing expenses.
I am a big believer in procurement getting involved as early as possible in new product development based on all the market knowledge available. The worst-case scenario is product engineering developing a new product, selecting a supplier and then telling procurement to get on with negotiation. How often do your purchase orders change?
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.
Eight proven optimization strategies, combining technology, best practices, and sustainable solutions. Essential technology solutions, including Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Inventory Management Systems (IMS), and the transformative power of IoT and automation. This includes real-time visibility and tracking via mobile devices.
Prioritizing technology solutions in today’s digital environment is a necessity. The businesses of tomorrow need technology solutions that give real-time information in order to make key business decisions when it comes to inventory. Gone are the days of paper inventory tracking and manual data entry. Scalable growth is impossible.
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