Top 4 Considerations for Supplier Management Software Solutions

Effectively managing your suppliers is an integral part of the procurement process (and important to the entire supply chain as well). Management doesn’t refer to suppliers being “under” you but instead refers to managing vendor transactions and cultivating good relationships with your third-party vendors or suppliers.

Without goods and services, nothing can be produced, which would make procurement impossible. So if you’re wondering, “What is supply chain management and why it is important?,” it’s imperative to manage every link in the supply chain, particularly your supplier relationships.

Read on to learn more about supplier management and how considerations for supply chain management cloud software can help streamline your process.

Supply Chain Management Cloud Software: Long-Term Relationships

While it’s perfectly acceptable to use multiple suppliers and switch suppliers frequently, one thing you want to concentrate on is the relationship you’re cultivating with your suppliers. Those new to software may worry that supply chain management cloud software takes away the human element. However, this isn’t true.

The right software can help solidify your relationship with suppliers as opposed to adding distance to it. This is partly because the process is streamlined and centralized, so everyone is on the same page. Plus, eAuction software can also lead to finding new suppliers and forging stronger relationships with your current ones.

Supply Chain Management Cloud Software: Risk Minimization

One of the more prominent features of supply chain software should be its analytical tools. Going into situations without being wholly sure or aware of all the facts comes at a higher risk.

The use of information technology in supply chain management has led to supply chain management cloud software that supplies you with the right analytical tools to mitigate risk more easily and better understand how risk is related to your spend. With the right analytical tools, you can cut costs, find rogue spend, and make better decisions based on this data.

Supply Chain Management Cloud Software: Vendor Management Portal

Supply chain cloud software refers to exactly that, software that uses cloud-based technologies. With that being understood, that means the choice of your vendor management portal is essential. This is a cloud-based, collaborative type of software that you and your suppliers will both use.

You may want to consider eSourcing software that does reside on your machine (and the cloud) to help with some vendor management decisions, but having the right portal is essential to build solid relationships with your suppliers because this is where much of the work will be accomplished.

Supply Chain Management Cloud Software: Supply Chain Consolidation

The importance of quality in supply chain management can be understated at times. You expect quality goods and services or quality relationships with your suppliers. Still, you may not think about the entire picture and how your vendor relationships fit within the big picture. Quality in management is just as important as quality with goods and services. Keep in mind the following when considering supply chain management cloud software and supply chain consolidation:

• The purchasing process is streamlined with the right software
• It makes global sourcing in supply chain management more possible and efficient
• Logistics and freight movement is more straightforward in these crazy times

If you find that there are issues within the supply chain or your process isn’t as streamlined as you feel it should be, it may be time for a change in the software and vendor management portal.

To find out more about supply chain management cloud software or to receive a demo, contact us at EC Sourcing Group today at 973-936-9672 to speak with a member of our team. We want you to reimagine the way you think about procurement.