Supplier relationships are highly dependent on the procure-to-pay (P2P) architecture that you have in place. Efficient P2P processes can build and improve your supplier relationships. The traditional architecture uses a combination of paper documents and ERP systems. The goal is to streamline a workflow by digitizing a portion of the procurement process. The problem is…
Supplier relationships often dictate how effective your business actually operates. When you have sound and efficient supplier relationships, you get the supplies and services that you need quickly and affordably. When you’re relationships are on shaky ground, it results in bigger problems for your operations. Many of these problems will also start to impact your…
Let’s take our definitions of waterfall-agile scrum workflows and incorporate them into the P2P process. Part 1 of “Defining Waterfall-Scrum Workflows for Your P2P Process” introduced one facet of the P2P process–invoice cost–and gave a brief overview of what each of the waterfall and agile (scrum) workflows were separately and how to think of them…
It’s no secret that manual Procure-to-Pay (P2P) costs sap efficiency and drain budgets. When supplier invoice approval and processing lags, it’s tough to get requisitions in on time, checked against contracts and paid. Automating your P2P processes and refining workflows are critical for efficiency, reducing waste, and for tracking your key performance indicators (KPIs). “More…
Traditional Procure-to-Pay (P2P) architecture based on both paper documents and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems attempt to streamline workflows by digitizing the procurement process. This often results in unnecessary complexity as fragmented data isn’t efficiently integrated into those company P2P workflows, limiting data analytics and employee confidence in managing exceptions. This isn’t particularly conducive to…
Building of Supplier Alliances: Supplier relationships operating in traditional, waterfall workflow silos are still common in manufacturing companies. The Procure-to-Pay (P2P) processes tend to follow strict parameters, with a flow that’s dependent on the preceding requirements. There’s no iteration. Any deviation from the path requires procedural approval that costs time and money. Following agile workflows…
Reconfiguring Your Supplier Relationship Mindset Sometimes the tried-and-true becomes the tired-and-disengaged. Traditional Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) tends to manage communication down a one-way street, from your company to the supplier. When supply runs low, your company orders, waits on signatures, approvals, and fulfillment schedules. Sales representatives visit your company on predetermined agendas. Drawn-out contract terms…
In almost every business, internal transactions cover only part of your enterprise resource planning (ERP) needs. Past a certain point, improving your own systems and records can only do so much when it comes to efficiency. If, for example, suppliers are not on the same page when it comes to purchasing and tracking, then it’s…
