Supplier Relationship Management – A Real Challenge
A Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) is an approach and a process for engaging with and managing suppliers. The purpose of SRM is to optimize and streamline all interactions with the organizations that supply goods and/or services to your company.
This is an important approach as businesses are under constant pressure both on prices and on their ability to innovate. Controlling and sharing information with key stakeholders are challenging. Therefore, a successful SRM strategy aligns a company and its suppliers to ensure that information, products and services flow smoothly through the supply chain. It will result in an effective communication between an enterprise and its suppliers.
This SRM process is also essential to leverage the supplier capabilities. Having a Supplier Relationship Management approach will lay out clear expectations for suppliers. This will then encourage them to be more proactive and accountable for their actions.
However, SRM is not just a procurement function. Collaboration and alignment with other business functions are crucial. Efficient external and internal collaboration will give access to accurate and timely information, and will increase the value creation. A successful supplier relationship can help smooth pressures along the product lifecycle. A strong partnership brings products to market faster, reduce costs, increases sales and market share, while maximizing ROI for both parties.
Lascom – The Supplier Relationship Management Software
With its PLM software, Lascom allows companies to quickly implement an efficient SRM approach. The software offers smooth and effective processes and workflows to better manage supplier collaboration. Collaboration means developing, sharing and updating new and existing product information through a coherent and structured process. Every participant involved is able to find the right information at the right time.
A web-based supplier portal provides central access and control of all relevant information, such as supplier’s specifications, proposals, etc. Using this fast and secure portal, suppliers can directly input their products’ specifications. It enforces each stakeholder’s accountability. For instance, suppliers and partners are responsible to populate data, like the raw material specifications and packaging information, and to maintain their accuracy. They are also responsible in updating key information such as certificates renewal. Once this information is captured, the supplier portal helps businesses pinpoint delays on updates and missing information. It is a faster way to screen, select suppliers and shorten your cross-departmental approval.
Lascom Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software includes workflows and processes features which streamline any communication between a company and its suppliers. By implementing a solution that focuses on opening up innovation processes, setting up structured business processes and increasing collaboration with suppliers, the company can consolidate information and easily manage its product portfolio.
It is important to note that Lascom software enhances collaboration while protecting proprietary information.
Supplier Collaboration Management Key Features
Supplier collaboration software : Benefits
Reporting tools
and dashboards
Improve
supplier collaboration
Enforce supplier
accountability
Structure collaboration
processes and workflows
Success Stories
Experts Opinion
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