Supplier Enablement

Supplier Enablement – just catalogues?

Er, from some, YES, but in reality, NO.

Supplier Enablement as a list of ‘things to do’ comprises:

Content

Make available to the buyer as a catalogue or from a supplier’s web site.

Actually this is not hard ‘to do’ but it does require a commitment by buyers and suppliers to maintain that content so that it is up to-date. That, I’m told, is where there is pain for users of catalogues although it is not so much of an issue for suppliers that direct buyers to a web site.

Communication

Buyers and suppliers need to communicate. Right now the majority of communication is via phone, fax and e-mail. This is fine as everyone has these. While it may be the case that these are retained for supplier enablement they don’t really belong as part of the transformation to electronic trading.

What is required with the transformation? The requirement is for buyers and suppliers to exchange XML documents. Is that easy? For the majority the answer is NO. That is why fax and e-mail are used.

Is there an easy way? Yes, follow www.impaq.co.uk to learn more.

Anything else?

Yes. Just as the buyer has implemented systems to assist their internal customers to requisition and order goods and services so they can get a benefit so too are suppliers looking for similar benefits. To achieve this suppliers need to be able to use XML documents as a ‘feed’ to systems that they use to process customer orders and deliver customer service.

Is that all?

No. This is not just about how we use technology there is a need to execute a communications program, usually driven by the buyer, to inform suppliers about why these should participate in electronic trading.

For more information look at Supplier Enablement: Supplier Enablement - collaborate for profit

posted by FrankB @ Thursday, May 18, 2006