Purchase price is always important, but… In Procurement, the critical factor underlying your negotiations with suppliers should be the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the item into your facilities. Financial mistakes caused through not identifying TCO for a buy are more often publicised in government procurement, as spending public money tends to be transparent. Procurement activities in commercial businesses … Read More
Operations in supply chains can have many structures
Operations types Changing customer expectations and the emergence of technologies designed to assist responses to change are the current scenario in developed countries. But, as strategic objectives of the business change does the structure of your Operations? The term Operations incorporates the consolidation of Supply Chains (Procurement, Operations Planning and Logistics) and the Conversion of inbound materials and items (which … Read More
Supply Markets are the starting point for Supply Chains
Why consider supply markets? The supply market for an important item should be the starting point for developing the sourcing strategy; identifying the potential effects on your organisation. This requires a comprehensive knowledge of relevant markets. Analysis of a supply market can assist sourcing decisions through identifying: Constraints and potential threats related to an item, including trade influencing actions undertaken … Read More
The scope of Supply Chains and operational disciplines
Supply Chain definitions Understanding the scope of a challenge helps in defining how to structure and implement the solution. So it is with supply chains. Supply chains are not new; they have existed since people commenced trading items. But, the term itself was first used in an article written in the early 1980’s and commenced adoption in business about ten … Read More
Trends and thoughts about supply chains in 2019
Trends viewed in categories In business, a trend can refer to a business model, a process or a technology. However, a trend will only be of more than passing interest if it could directly impact your business and people. Based on articles written by various commentators, trends in supply chains for 2019 can be grouped into four categories: Channels of … Read More