SmartOptimization, a robust technology platform, helps companies make faster, better business decisions. Its functionality supplements a company's strategic sourcing strategy and allows buyers to perform their jobs at higher, more efficient levels. Other advantages include:

• Control - the Iasta product philosophy is that control should reside with the e-Sourcing user. The user should determine what the best way to analyze bid results. The user can build as many award scenarios as needed and compare them side-by-side. Experienced e-Sourcing users do not need intervention from an Iasta Sourcing Professional, they can do it themselves.
• Simple navigation structure - Iasta designed SmartOptimization to have a navigation structure that is universally recognized and easy to learn. The SmartOptimization platform is structured in a familiar tree-structure. As a result, upon receiving access to the platform, many users start building projects immediately, without User Training.
• Integrated code base - Our application was built from the ground-up, not through acquisition. As a result, all features work well together and flow from one project phase through the next. Users never need to generate extra, cumbersome keystrokes in order to work with their project data.
• Embedded features and functionality – SmartOptimization is not a module-based application. All relevant optimization functionality – multiple constraint types, the Freight Bracket Optimization engine - is part of the platform.
• Robust analysis capabilities – SmartOptimization allows users to layer different constraint types so that they can build ‘real world’ award scenarios. These custom scenarios help companies minimize risks by analyzing a wide range of risks associated choosing suppliers. Some risk scenarios could be low-cost country suppliers, new vs. incumbent suppliers and high vs. low product quality issues. The award scenarios can also help companies consolidate their supply base by evaluating costs associated with a small or large supply base. This allows them to optimize the correct number of suppliers that should provide goods and services.

If you are interested in more details about SmartOptimization, please contact Iasta at sales@iasta.com.

• Allocation constraints - Allocation constraints allow buyers to decide how much business to award one or more suppliers. For example, a buyer can build an award scenario where 20% of the business goes to an incumbent supplier, 10% goes to a diversity supplier and the remaining 70% of the business goes to the qualified lowest bidder. By adjusting the awarded percentages, the buyer can create new scenarios and compare them to each other. Allocation constraints can be combined with any other available constraint.
• Limit constraints - Limit constraints let buyers set award maximums on items and groups of items. For example, a buyer may want to minimize supply risk and decide to impose a maximum of 45% that any one supplier can be awarded. A buyer can instantly create a new scenario and compare it with other scenarios. Limit constraints can be combined with other available constraint.
• Exclusion constraints - For any award scenario, exclusion constraints enable buyers to prevent a supplier, a supplier location or group of suppliers from providing goods and services. For example, a buyer may exclude a specific supplier location due to poor quality ratings. Or the buyer can force the goods and services to be sourced from specific locations. Exclusion constraints can be combined with any other available constraint.
• Qualitative constraints - Qualitative constraints are applied to an item or set of items that are “graded” based on various attributes. Buyers first define the qualitative factors for each set of suppliers or items, and then mathematically rank the attributes (based on a consistent scale). Some examples of qualitative attributes include durability, on-time availability, reliability, customer perceived quality and many more. Qualitative constraints can be combined with any other available constraint.
• Discount constraints - Many suppliers offer discounts if the buying company meets certain criteria. Examples of discounts include when a buyer orders a certain volume of a specified item, or exceeds a pre-specified dollar value in their purchase. The discount constraint allows buyers to build award scenarios that take into account conditional discounts offered by suppliers. Discount constraints can be combined with any other available constraint.
• Freight bracket optimization - Freight bracket optimization automatically optimizes the award decision based on estimated and optimized freight brackets. The freight brackets are established by the bidders and are based on the amount shipped by lane.

If you are interested in more details about SmartOptimization, please contact Iasta at sales@iasta.com.

If you are interested in more details about SmartSource, please contact Iasta at sales@iasta.com.

Iasta's goal is to improve the effectiveness of every team member who uses the SmartOptimization platform by providing world-class support and service. Designed to be flexible and easily assessable for large or small Sourcing Teams, the SmartSupport program combines Application Support, User Training and Collaborative Services into simple support categories. SmartSupport enables companies to select the level of support they want based on their sourcing requirements, in-house expertise and budget.

If you are interested in more details about SmartSupport, please contact Iasta at sales@iasta.com.