Advances in web technology have opened a door of opportunity for procurement professionals. With an automated procurement system, including pay-to-procure, in-house, and stand-alone marketplaces, e-procurement provides a means for reducing costs, standardizing processes, and more. It’s a tactic being used by government agencies and companies in both private and public sectors.
Following DNA testing which revealed some meat products marked 100-percent beef actually contained about one-percent horse meat in European countries, supply chain and procurement leaders are re-thinking their risk strategies. The scandal has been spreading, with more companies jumping in on precautionary testing and even recalling meat products.
The procurement industry is undergoing a transformation, harnessing the power of cloud computing for improved visibility, stronger data analysis capabilities, and lower data storage costs. While the government is taking strides towards becoming one of the biggest adopters of big data, regulation-heavy industries, including procurement, can take advantage of streamlined process and better data management…
A newly released survey conducted by INTTRA reveals that e-invoicing could be the driving force behind reducing procurement costs in 2013. The survey focused on high-volume freight forwarders and shippers and includes several major global logistics providers.
After 7 years on the High Risk List, interagency contracts may find a place in the US federal supply chain again. Contract sharing across departments has several benefits, but is the current system ready to manage the risks involved?
South African Minister in the Presidency, Trevor Manuel, announced plans for supply chain management reform across the public sector to develop consistent and uniform rules that will help the government obtain better value on public purchases. At the same time, Manuel discussed the need for performance agreements and stricter consequences among public employees.
The UK horse meat scandal continues to grow as officials investigate deeper. Over the last 7 years, the UK Border Agency has seized over 48 tons of meat entering the country illegally and doesn’t have the resources to control the problem alone. Government representatives are meeting with food industry leaders to reach a solution that…
For two decades, supply chain professionals have focused on reducing costs by trimming the unnecessary fat in their operations. Leaner production processes, lower on-hand inventory levels, and smaller, more frequent shipments created a just-in-time (JIT) supply chain that encouraged globalization. However, the risks and challenges associated with today’s supply chain aren’t always managed with a…
Local level governments take various approaches to procurement. Many use a traditional centralized purchasing system, while others have deregulated public procurement and allow departments more control over their purchasing decisions. Sullivan County, New York isn’t the only government adopting a hybrid system that combines the benefits of both centralized and decentralized processes.
Proper quality assurance measures are critical to reduce the return of goods and services to companies. When there’s an abundance of reverse logistics, it affects a number of facets of the organization, including inventory management, warehousing and storage, financials, and even losses and write-offs when you’re dealing with perishable goods.