Achieving Greatness: Buy Like the Best-in-Class
Staff -- Purchasing, 8/17/2004 2:00:00 AM
PURCHASING Magazine will host its 3rd Global Procurement Conference on October 13-14. The conference will home in on issues that purchasing executives say are most important right now. Topping the list is spend analysis where most organizations begin their trek toward sourcing excellence. Several sessions will examine the role of technology in improving purchasing and supply chain management processes. One hot button, for example, is managing the services buy online. Another is achieving the audit requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley. Each day of the conference will kick off at 11 a.m. ET with a keynote address followed by four 50-minute conference sessions. Attendees will be able to submit questions via the Web at any time during the presentations. Resource centers will feature relevant, downloadable articles, white papers, case studies and other takeaway materials. Register today at: www.globalprocurement.purchasing.com
Tentative Program
Super Spend Analysis: Learn from Best in Class
How PURCHASING's 2004 Spend Analysis award winners began and implemented their spend management programs. Critical issues include coverage, elimination of maverick spending, data classification, and linkages with finance systems.
Taking Services Sourcing Online
Using software/online tools to keep internal stakeholders satisfied while saving money on travel, temporary help and other HR services (relocation, benefits), consultants, advertising and marketing spend categories.
'Should Cost' Procurement Strategy turns Knowledge into Substantial Cost Savings
The need to reduce part costs and implement uniform and predictable costing strategies has never been more urgent. As OEM's look to lower costs, knowing what a part 'should cost' to manufacture gives procurement personnel the knowledge they need to leverage lower pricing. This session will show how IBM applied this critical supply chain management strategy worldwide using cutting edge technology, saving millions of dollars in the process.
Technology in Transportation
What buyers and shippers need to know about the technology that supports efficient, effective inbound logistics, global sourcing, overseas manufacturing, and inventory reduction.
Electronics Buyers Get Ready for Lead-Free
Need-to-know information for electronics buyers about the looming (June 2006) deadline for eliminating lead from all electronics equipment bound for Europe. While some suppliers are working feverishly to hit the deadline, others are slow to respond.
End-of-Life in Electronics
Strategies and techniques for keeping soon-to-be obsolete parts out of product designs and identifying and qualifying sources and substitutes for end-of-life (EOL) components.
Sarbanes-Oxley in Procurement: What it Means, What to Do
The SEC wants communication trails that can be audited; for long-term contracts, it wants companies to list obligations by year. Good news: Technology companies are filling the void with supplier relationship management (SRM) software that creates tight controls and accountability.
Leveraging Master Data for Global Sourcing and Visibility
For years, companies have grappled with and solved the problem of dirty customer data; now they are shifting their focus to the huge problem of dirty spend data that encompasses suppliers, products and item-master data. This session will invite participation from customers, analysts, and suppliers who are addressing master data challenges today. The panel will discuss case studies and present a first hand look at emerging core technologies and concepts in spend data management such as auto-classification, attribute extraction, product content enrichment and knowledge bases that enable better plant efficiency, cross-plant inventory visibility and enterprise procurement efficiencies.
Successful MRO Category Management
Purchasing works closely with maintenance and manufacturing colleagues to manage categories of MRO spending. Preferred suppliers help by identifying best practices for workflow, suggesting new products and developing ways to bring about supply chain efficiency. This session provides new insight into successful MRO sourcing processes.
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