Logistics Management Modern Materials Handling

From the May/June 2012 Issue

The Competitive Potential of Supply Management

Supply management can be a powerful competitive weapon — if the strategy driving that activity is closely and continuously aligned with the business strategy. Yet new research suggests that the necessary alignment is often lacking. This article offers a process for identifying and implementing the supply management strategies that hold the best potential for competitive advantage.

Procurement Automation: How to do it Right

S&OP: What You Can Learn from the Top Performers

Creating Entrepreneurial Supply Chains

M&As Offer Big Opportunity for Supply Chain Leaders

More from the May/June 2012 issue

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Latest White Paper

Three Common Global Trade Compliance Deficiencies that Affect Your Bottom Line

Today, the benefits of sourcing from low cost countries and selling into new foreign markets are driving the vast majority of enterprise-class companies to go global. However, many of these companies are still making due with sub-standard global processes and technologies borrowed from domestic organizations.

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Latest Webcast

The Supply Chain Control Tower: Moving Beyond Just Visibility

In this Webcast, you'll learn what a supply chain control tower entails, the key elements that comprise the control tower and how your supply chain can benefit from the control tower.

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From the Institute for Supply Management

ISM semiannual report expects more continued economic growth for rest of 2012

In its 2012 Semiannual Economic Forecast, which is based on feedback from U.S.-based purchasing and supply chain executives, manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors are expected to leverage the solid levels for various metrics each has been seeing over the last several months.

Institute for Supply Management’s NMI hits highest level since January 2011

ISM November non-manufacturing report shows growth for 24th straight month

ISM October non-manufacturing report is nearly identical to September, still growing

ISM October manufacturing report is down from September but showing growth

View more from ISM

Filed in Purchasing

Monday, May 07, 2012

Procurement Automation: How to do it Right

Successful automation of procurement processes can deliver a host of benefits. For one, automation can eliminate the costly, time-consuming manual tasks while giving supply management professionals the tools and enhanced visibility needed to make better procurement decisions. Here’s a guide to successfully implementing your automation project and start gaining those advantages.

Posted on 05/07 at 06:08 PM

Procurement • Supply Chain • Technology • MayJune 2012 • Purchasing • Permalink

Tuesday, March 06, 2012

A Strategy for Managing Commodity Price Risk

Just about every organization is exposed to price changes associated with the commodities they acquire for their operations. These price movements can detrimentally affect profitability, budgeting, cash flow, and overall organizational performance. This article puts forth a flexible process that companies can implement to manage commodity price volatility.

Posted on 03/06 at 06:22 PM

Management • MarchApril 2012 • Purchasing • Permalink

Monday, October 03, 2011

The Purchasing Leader’s Guide to a More Successful Team

If you’re like most purchasing leaders, you are only partially satisfied with the results your team is producing. You are expected to deliver bigger and better results, but you worry that the skill levels possessed by your team may limit your ability to achieve your goals.

Posted on 10/03 at 08:39 AM

White Paper • Supply Chain Management • Purchasing • Next Level Purchasing • Permalink

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

25 Ways to Lower Inventory Costs

The prime objective for all supply chains is to provide clients with what they want, when they want it. Inventory management plays a central role in every supply chain’s need to satisfy its clients.

Posted on 07/20 at 08:14 AM

Feature • Procurement • Supply Chain • Warehousing • Inventory Management • Purchasing • Inventory Optimization • Permalink

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Inventory Optimization: Show Me the Money

Minimizing inventory investment and carrying costs while maintaining high service levels can be a tough balancing act. But best-practice companies have shown that it can be done - profitably.

Posted on 07/19 at 04:52 PM

Feature • Procurement • Supply Chain • Warehousing • Inventory Management • Purchasing • Inventory Optimization • Permalink

How Inventory Optimization Opens Pathways to Profitability

Inventory optimization—the process of scientifically determining the right inventory levels across the supply chain—has never been easy. But advanced tools now available are enabling companies to do the job faster, more accurately, and with greater business impact. In fact, industry leaders are finding that IO can drive greater profitability through lower inventories, better fill rates, and ultimately a more satisfied customer.

Posted on 07/19 at 07:48 AM

Feature • Procurement • Supply Chain • Warehousing • Inventory Management • Purchasing • Inventory Optimization • MarchApril 2011 • Permalink

Monday, May 16, 2011

The Essentials of Supply Chain Management Strategic Sourcing: Cost Management

Cost management has taken on increasing importance in all aspects of the business. And in no part of the business is it any more critical than in procurement and sourcing activities. In this fifth installment of our “Beyond the Basics” series, professor Wendy Tate of the University of Tennessee explains the principles and techniques that enable effective cost management as part of an overall strategic sourcing approach.

Posted on 05/16 at 08:52 AM

Purchasing • Supply Chain Management: Beyond the Basics • Beyond the Basics • Strategic Solutions • Permalink