SCM Insights How to enhance collaboration between procurement and quality management Digital transformation or not: Working together is often difficult even when system-supported processes are in place. This occurs not just on a large scale, e.g. in the collaboration between companies and their suppliers. It also happens on a small scale, e.g. between different departments. Here companies face challenges such as media discontinuity, a lack of transparency, and processes that are interdependent. (more…)
Industry News Digitalization in procurement – the eighth BME e-solution conference in Düsseldorf On March 14 and 15, 2017, the eighth e-solution conference sponsored by the German Association for Supply Chain Management, Procurement and Logistics (BME) was held in Düsseldorf. This event is one of the largest gatherings for e-procurement and e-sourcing in the German-speaking world. (more…)
SCM Insights Freight cost invoicing begins with the transport order Perhaps you’ve encountered the following situation:You’ve negotiated the best conditions with your carriers, but you’re still paying too much for your transport services. And might we presume that you are not able to fully verify the freight cost invoices that you perhaps still receive in paper form from your carriers?Why not approach the situation from a different angle: (more…)
SCM Insights Secure supply despite reduced capital lockup – how is this possible? (Part 2) The digitalization of the supply chain paves the way for well-synchronized material flowsWhat can be done to create greater transparency and reduce the stock and inventory levels by better synchronizing the material flows?Now, to put it simply, one has to figure out how to eliminate the causes of the lack of transparency and synchronicity of material flows. In this regard, the entire process of supply chain planning and management must be examined. (more…)
SCM Insights Secure supply despite reduced capital lockup – how is this possible? (Part 1) The question above is probably much older than the term "supply chain management", which first appeared at the beginning of the '80s, became more pervasive in the '90s and an established management term by the turn of the century.There is no need to speculate about the point at which this issue began to be addressed by academics. All we can say is that the issue has become particularly important over the past 15 years given increasing globalization, intensified global competition and a decreasing value creation chain. (more…)
