The seasonally-adjusted Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) edged lower to 49.9 index points in January 2019, down from 50.7 in December 2018. Despite the decline, the index remains 2 points above the average recorded in 2018, which suggests that manufacturing started the year on fairly solid footing. The performance of the PMI’s sub-components was more mixed, […]
January PMI points to solid start to 2019 Read More »
South Africa currently ranks 61st out of 137 countries within the 2017/2018 Global Competitive Index (World Economic Forum, 2017). One of the Index’s main critiques against the country is its inadequately educated workforce, which re-affirms the critical role of education and skills development. It is imperative that the country ensures efficient and effective skills development
Creating a framework for developing SCM professionals Read More »
What better time to set and start tackling key objectives for 2019? Your New Year’s resolution should be to be better than best-in-class… “Achieving best-in-class performance won’t result in procurement becoming truly strategic and may actually hinder progress in the long term. So, don’t settle for best-in-class”, says Alex Saric, from source-to-pay suite provider Ivalua.
Your procurement resolution: don’t settle for best-in-class Read More »
Supply Management‘s Lucy Patchett takes a look at some of the key trends for 2019… Adaptability will be key to managing risk Procurement is operating in an uncertain environment, with negative impacts from Brexit, trade relations and general economic instability. Being ready to react to change efficiently will make all the difference. IHS Markit predicts
Procurement predictions for 2019 Read More »
In procurement analytics, there are two clear trends: 1. Data is the new oil. 2. Big data and advanced analytics, such as machine learning, deep learning and neural networks, definitely create new opportunities. The way we can automatically extract insights from vast amounts of data will both unearth new opportunities as well as move tasks
Walk the talk: machine learning and big data for procurement analytics Read More »
One of the primary components of any procurement function’s strategy is, or should be, to ensure that the company has an optimised vendor base. This is aimed at achieving a more cost effective and high-quality supply chain. Most companies therefore go through a vendor rationalisation process at some stage and continually review vendor categories to
Vendor database optimisation: Are you doing it right? Read More »
The procurement function will fall behind and suffer a wider skills gap if organisations do not proactively pilot the Internet of Things (IoT) technology, writes Supply Management‘s Su-San Sit. Robert Handfield, Executive Director at Supply Chain Resource Cooperative, notes that many procurement managers today are “frozen” when confronted with new technology and lacked the skills
Procurement must champion IoT or risk falling behind Read More »
To move your procurement organisation to the next level, it pays to learn from the masters… New research conducted by Accenture Strategy shows that a small group of procurement masters – defined as the top 10% of procurement organisations in terms of performance – are delivering a 15:1 return on investment (ROI) to their organisations.
Perfecting the art of procurement? Learn from the masters Read More »
It is important to do business with the right vendors if you want you want to stay on the right side of the law while ensuring that the business’ needs are met. With hundreds of suppliers offering relevant products and services, the vendor selection process can appear strenuous and time consuming. However, if done the
6 steps to maintain a successful vendor selection process Read More »
The chickens have come home to roost for public procurement in South Africa − and what a lot of chickens there are! All indications are that public procurement has been beset by peddlers of influence, venal vendors, rogue executives and delinquent boards. Without a doubt, those responsible must be held accountable for their ruinous conduct.
Stopping the public procurement rot: don’t blame the mouse, blame the hole in the wall! Read More »
