Lean concepts popularized the supply chain and took procurement and operations to a new level of supply chain management understanding. Characterized by the efficient movement of materials with minimal work in process and inventory, these integrated process flows were dependent on aligned supplier/customer incentives. But in 2008 when times became tough and (more…)

In a recent study released by the Everest Group, 2012 Market Predictions, the professional consulting firm predicts the growing use of supply chain service providers in the coming years. As companies seek to elevate the roles of their procurement professionals to more strategic business sustainability activities, outsourcing of transactional (more…)