“As the following graph shows, prices for goods (and PPI) continue to increase… It illustrates rate of increase of a large basket of goods (including strategic and consumable items) compared to PPI and the movement in the Rand’s value against major Western currencies,” Alan Low MD of Purchasing Index tells SmartProcurement. “The graph highlights not […]
Rising prices to drive Low Cost Country Sourcing Read More »
This is the second article in a series, the first of which appeared in the SmartProcurement June Newsletter. Julian Curtiss, Manager of Commercial Marketing, Corporate Payment Solutions at ABSA Bank, told Smart Procurement that “Purchasing card programs are as unique as the companies using them, and therefore the business case varies per organisation” Referring
Part 2 – The Business Case for Purchasing Cards Read More »
At a recent breakfast session hosted by IPSA (Institute of Procurement and Supply South Africa) Julian Curtiss, Manager of Commercial Marketing, Corporate Payment Solutions at ABSA Bank, said that Procurement Cards are now almost universally accepted as a procurement to pay solution for both the private and public sectors of economies across the globe. He
The current case for purchasing cards – Part 1 Read More »
Sourcing from China is expected to occur in three waves. 1. China for low cost, 2.China participating in innovation, 3. China as global center for procurement.In Businessweek.com, Boston Consulting’s Jim Hemerling says China is emerging as a global Research and Development and innovation hub in its own right. Sourcing execs take note For some companies,
China: Ready For the Next Sourcing Wave? Read More »
Inadequate or ineffective financial controls have been a serious problem in many national and provincial government departments, with the Auditor General repeatedly highlighting problems of overspending, inappropriate or fruitless spending and underspending. The solution, according to Fraxion MD Stanton Jandrell, is to automate the financial management process as far as possible to enforce compliance without
Home-grown technology offers fix for government spending woes Read More »
With the release of the final BEE Codes of Good practice=, the government has listened to small and medium business concerns about their difficulty in becoming compliant Johan Giliomee of NERA tells Smart Procurement. “Their biggest complaint has been that they do not always have the resources and money to become compliant and that a
Updated: Generous BEE compliancy allowances for Small Business Read More »
If you asked your Human Resources Department how much staff recruitment really costs your organisation the real cost can be much higher than imagined. Elaine Porteous, an Independent Procurement Consultant tells Smart Procurement that there are many costly “hassle factors” both internally and externally that are usually not accounted for. She says the following issues
True cost of Staff Recruitment exposed Read More »
Whilst e-Procurement solutions are improving the procurement practices of organisations by eliminating many paper-based and labour-intensive processes, increasing transparency and improving control it cannot deliver the depth of benefits expected by businesses investing in the technology. It must be supported by effective and transparent strategic sourcing. Wayne van Deventer, National Strategic Sourcing Manager at MWEB
e-Procurement and Strategic Sourcing combine to deliver savings Read More »
“The last few years’ benchmarks of the local business cell-phone market indicated high costs and a lack of substantial innovation. Now, however, technology is converging and the distinction between voice and data transmission are blurring. These new products promise substantial cost saving opportunities,” Alan Low, Managing Director of Purchasing Index, told Smart Procurement.
Telephony – new era technology saves company R20m in phone costs. Read More »
Most industries in South Africa face globalisation and transformation challenges but the South African Transport and Logistics industry faces its own peculiarities that impact on the country as a whole. Shaun Scott and Henry Carelse, Directors of Worldwide Integrated Logistics (WIL) provided Smart Procurement with an up to date market analysis of this core driver
