Purchasing

Monitoring PC use leads to better decision making
Maintaining a data repository on the PCs that a company purchases, uses and disposes of, is key to good asset management. Others are discipline and following best practices. Asset management is a set of business processes for monitoring and controlling the configuration and use of PCs or other IT equipment or software.

• HP sources globally to cut costs
• Top 20 chip companies to boost capital spending

Departments Briefs What's Hot Inside Purchasing Don't outsource supplier relationships Logistics Freight buyers plug in from different angles Shippers find renewed interest in rail and intermodal shipping Office Technologies Demand rebounds from four-year weakness Product Update Product Update Electronics and Technology News What's Hot Capital Spending Intel to expand Irish plant Computer Boards Communications uses the most embedded boards Computers Chip market to grow 29% in 2004 as tags stabilize Replacements will drive PC shipments Displays Prices for computer LCD panels on the rise Electronics Leadtimes Leadtimes will stretch again Grassroots Report: Components Buyers pay higher prices; gripe about long leadtimes Integrated Circuits Chip revenue grows 32% in Q1 as demand rises Outsourcing EMS forecast gets upgraded Passives Expect soft prices for ceramic capacitors Semiconductors Standard logic prices stabilize for now; outlook cloudy The Spot Market DDR tags stabilize, SDRAM prices fall

News Economy How Supply Managers See High-Tech Business Prices Factors Affecting Product Cost Supply What's Happening in High-Tech Supply Chains Tip Sheet Key Metrics and Supply Alert