"Iasta's deeply functional and dynamic approach to strategic sourcing technology is exactly what Yankee Candle was looking for in a solution. Our sourcing team will now be able to achieve our savings goals and perform at more proficient levels due in part to the SmartSource application."
SmartSource SRM is a powerful "on demand" technology that contains feature-rich product platforms that deliver cost-effective solutions for sourcing teams. SmartSource SRM is unique because it combines the best and most often used eSourcing technology into one product. Its functionality supplements a company's strategic sourcing strategy and allows buyers to perform their jobs at higher, more efficient levels as a result of standardized sourcing processes.
Other advantages include:
Embedded features and functionality - SmartSource SRM is not a module- based application. All relevant sourcing functionality - Management reporting, Bid, Negotiate, Decision Optimization, Contract Management, Project Management and Supplier Management - is part of the platform.
Simple navigation structure - Iasta designed SmartSource SRM to have a navigation structure that is universally recognized and easy to learn. SmartSource SRM is structured in a familiar tree-structure. As a result, many users start building projects immediately.
Single sign-on - Our application was built from the ground-up, not through acquisition. Therefore, 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.
Control - the Iasta product philosophy is that control should reside with the SmartSource SRM user. The user should determine what projects to run, when to run them, who should participate and how to structure them.
Click on the wheel below for SRM components.
SOURCING COMPONENTS
Click on the wheel below for SRM components.
SOURCING COMPONENTS
Iasta's spend analysis solution is designed to provide users with instant, comprehensive and detailed access to the entire organization's purchasing data. Companies should consider SmartAnalytics when they want to enhance visibility and drive compliance, identify and prioritize sourcing opportunities, capture and sustain savings, and measure compliance of supplier diversity programs.
User-defined Classification Rules
Enables users to sort, filter and categorize spend data on a real-time basis. All classification rules are carried through automatically with every data refresh. All classification rules can be easily updated by individual users as needed.
Import/Export Engine
Enables Sourcing Professionals to refresh spend data as frequently as needed. The easy-to-use Import/Export Engine helps users focus only on the data they want and to use it any way or any where they want.
Analysis Tools & Reports
Helps Sourcing Professionals make better decisions about supplier relationships and cost reduction opportunities. Custom reporting dimensions can be updated at an ad hoc basis by the team or individual user. Changes flow through dataset on a real-time basis. The integrated, easy-to-use Tools include Excel® spreadsheets and various graphical displays. The tool-set gives users more choices regarding how to analyze and display information.
Spend Repository
Provides companies a centralized data repository that consolidates information from multiple systems and formats. The Spend Repository can be updated on a regularly scheduled basis (monthly, quarterly, etc.) or an ad hoc basis. Best of all, a company can choose whether to update the Spend Repository themselves, or have Iasta manage the process.
Click on the wheel below for SRM components.
SOURCING COMPONENTS
SmartSource SRM - the best-of-the-best combines the greatest, most frequently used features from Iasta's world-class platforms, into one, integrated software platform. With a single sign-on, users can source, optimize and manage projects, suppliers and contracts.
Advantages
Speed
Convenience
Single sign-on
SmartSource SRM enables the distribution and collection of information to internal stakeholders and suppliers. Sourcing professionals can access any project directly with only a few clicks. Companies will be able to accelerate collaboration and alignment across different people and places.
Iasta designed SmartSource SRM to have a navigation structure that is universally recognized and easy to learn. SmartSource SRM is structured in a familiar tree-structure. As a result, many users start building projects immediately.
Our application was built from the ground-up, not through acquisition. Therefore, 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.
Sourcing Components
Bid
Sourcing teams can quickly create live sourcing events such as sealed bids, forward auctions and reverse auctions in SmartSource SRM. Integrated spreadsheet bidding enables suppliers to submit multiple bids with one or more factors into the live event with only a few clicks. Live event monitoring and communication with suppliers is easily managed by buyers from the event console. Red, beating hearts visually notify the buyer of the suppliers' log-in status.
Negotiate
SmartSource SRM delivers best-in-class RFx and survey functionality. This flexible sourcing engine enables companies to communicate directly with suppliers and internal stakeholders through a variety of project types: RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, general questionnaires or agreements. The RFx engine can easily adapt to the complexity of any sourcing project - whether it is a highly complex, multi-round RFI that results in an auction, or a simple online survey. Companies can create custom RFx templates to support sourcing best practices, knowledge transfer as well as ease-of-use and consistency.
Control
The organization and its sourcing team demands information regarding the status of projects, the types of projects and who is managing the projects. SmartSource SRM gives companies control over their valuable information by providing integrated functionality to manage reports, projects, documents and users.
Project Management - Project Management improves collaboration between different people, different suppliers and different places. It is closely integrated with bids and negotiation functionality so that buyers can organize projects, prioritize activities, assign tasks, create triggers and monitor participation. Because SmartSource SRM shares the same code-base, all projects can leverage Project Management and track participation, set deadlines and triggers, and manage multi-stage sourcing projects.
Document Library - This easily accessible component provides a single repository for all documents regardless of type or format. Companies can organize all local or global documents, as well as ensure their freshness and ownership with the version control functionality.
Custom Reporting - This powerful tool provides a cockpit view to better Supply Management. It enables users to have greater visibility into project velocity across the entire user community, or just one user. Additionally, companies can create custom classification structures and associate a project or supplier with one or more categories.
Role Based Security - Company administrators can manage the permission levels of users' access to different SmartSource SRM features, especially for projects with high security level. This includes creating, editing, publishing and viewing sourcing projects.
Knowledge transfer & process improvement
Companies can capitalize on process improvements and increase the scalability of their sourcing team by leveraging the Template Library. Teams can create custom email messages, RFx and process templates based on commodities, teams or project type and store them in a centralized, permission-based repository.
Click on the wheel below for SRM components.
SOURCING COMPONENTS
SmartContracts provides a centralized, built-in tracking engine with triggers, alerts and version/access control. The SmartContracts component is embedded within SmartSource SRM, thereby making it easy for buyers to find, use and track the right contract for the right sourcing project. SmartContracts provides the benefits of speed, convenience and integrated code base to users.
Advantages
Speed
Convenience
Single sign-on
SmartContracts helps companies store, track and follow all contracts, enabling them to quickly manage the right contract at the right time. Sourcing professionals can access any contract directly with only a few clicks. Companies using SmartContracts will be able to accelerate collaboration and alignment across different people and places.
SmartContracts is a centralized, easy-to-use contract repository. Not only does it conveniently store contracts, SmartContracts is equipped with customizable activity triggers and alerts to help sourcing professionals efficiently manage contract renegotiation and compliance issues, such as Sarbanes-Oxley.
Since SmartContracts is included as part of SmartSource SRM, companies can immediately start to manage their contracts without added implementation costs, saving value, management time and costs.
Users can easily store and quickly access contracts via the centralized storage repository. To further aide sourcing professionals, SmartContracts is equipped with version control and a customizable organizational structure. Sourcing professionals can easily search and find key contracts via the search functionality.
Triggers & Alerts
Quickly set-up, triggers and alerts help remind users about upcoming contract negotiations, expirations and other milestones. Companies can customize the activity flags associated with different milestones.
Custom Reporting
The dashboard reports provide a cockpit view to help streamline contract management and enables users to have greater visibility into time-sensitive contract milestones. Companies can customize status flags associated with their contract management process.
Integrated Functionality
To make it easier for users to support the sourcing process, SmartContracts integrates with email and SmartSource SRM functionality. Users can access these features in only a few clicks.
Click on the wheel below for SRM components.
SOURCING COMPONENTS
SmartSupplier helps companies collect, organize and standardize contact information associated with companies with whom there is a business relationship. SmartSupplier facilitates supplier diversity, risk or performance initiatives by capturing, classifying and reporting key data elements associated with vendors. To make it easier for new, potential suppliers can introduce themselves, they can use the self-registration capability.
Advantages
Speed
Convenience
Single sign-on
The SmartSupplier component, found in SmartSource SRM, helps companies quickly find information about a supplier or group of suppliers. The sourcing team does not need to waste time hunting around different systems to find the right contact information for a company. All information can be easily found - with only a few clicks - right in their sourcing application.
SmartSupplier is a centralized, easy-to-use contact information repository. Not only does it conveniently store information about business contacts, SmartSupplier is also equipped with customizable fields to help sourcing professionals efficiently manage diversity, preferred vendor or risk initiatives.
Since SmartSupplier is included as part of SmartSource SRM, companies can immediately start to manage their supplier records without added implementation costs, saving value, management time and costs.
Users can easily store and quickly access information about companies and users via the centralized storage repository. To further aide sourcing professionals, SmartSupplier is equipped with a customizable organizational structure. Sourcing professionals can easily search and find key companies and contacts via the search functionality.
Triggers & Alerts
Quickly set-up, triggers and alerts help remind users about upcoming issues and milestones. Companies can customize the activity triggers, alerts and flags associated with different milestones.
Contact Profile Configuration
SmartSupplier provides companies more control by enabling users to define, label and control information associated with companies and contacts. It is a great way to manage diversity initiatives.
Management Reporting
Dashboard reporting provides a cockpit view of company and contact information and enables users to have greater visibility into contact issues. Companies can customize status flags associated with their supplier management process.
Integrated Functionality
To make it easier for users to support the sourcing process, SmartSupplier integrates with email and SmartSource SRM functionality. Users can access these features in only a few clicks.
Click on the wheel below for SRM components.
SOURCING COMPONENTS
SmartOptimization. Once bids are collected, it is important to analyze the results based on potential 'what-if' award scenarios. Business factors, constraints and supplier attributes can impact the final award decision. A typical constraint may be to allocate a portion of the business to an incumbent supplier to minimize risk, or perhaps to a diversity supplier to support a supplier diversity initiative. SmartOptimization serves as the foundation for decision optimization found in SmartSource SRM.
Advantages
Speed
Convenience
Single sign-on
Users can very quickly determine the best award by evaluating the impact that various business factors have on the final award. To create a complete award analysis, users can layer different business factors and compare the award scenarios side-by-side
Users can very quickly determine the best award by evaluating the impact that various business factors have on the final award. To create a complete award analysis, users can layer different business factors and compare the award scenarios side-by-side
Our application was built from the ground-up, not through acquisition. Therefore, 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.
Optimization Components
Allocation requirements
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.
Capacity constraints
Capacity (or 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. Capacity constraints can be combined with other available constraint.
Knowledge transfer & process improvement
Companies can capitalize on process improvements and increase the scalability of their sourcing team by leveraging past award analysis and reports and applying scenarios to new optimization projects.
Iasta's goal is to improve the effectiveness of every team member who uses the SmartSource SRM platform by providing world-class support and service. Designed to be flexible and easily assessable for large or small Sourcing Teams, Iasta's support options enable companies to select the level of support they want based on their sourcing requirements, in-house expertise and budget.
Application Support
Application Support offers assistance with technical error resolution, password resets, navigation and how-to assistance. Application Support is available via telephone and email.
User Training
Although Iasta software is designed to be easy-to-use, it comes fully loaded with powerful functionality. That is why Iasta offers a support-based user training program to ensure that companies garner maximum results from Iasta's eSourcing platforms. Our effective training program demonstrates how users can navigate through Iasta's software and apply it to their projects. Iasta's training program also provides beneficial context for users, advising them when and how to use specific features to make their eSourcing projects successful. When users are comfortable with the software, they use it more frequently and deliver more value.
Iasta offers multiple training options. Companies can choose from a standard menu of training topics, or request Iasta to develop a custom training program unique to their organization.
Continuing Education Hours
All training qualifies for the Institute of Supply Management's (ISM) A.P.P, C.P.M and/or CPSM continuing education requirements (CEHs).
Resource Library
The Resource Library is located within SmartSource SRM and exists to provide users with a wealth of information to assist with sourcing projects. The Resource Library offers RFx templates, eSourcing best practices, additional training videos, common pitfalls, industry information, 30 white papers on supply management, eSourcing Forum, and more. Iasta's interactive forum is a web-based user community that allows eSourcing professionals to communicate with each other about sourcing topics, past experiences, offer advice and solutions, network, etc.
Sourcing Support Center
Iasta's Sourcing Support Center allows users to contact Iasta's team of sourcing professionals to guide them through current and future projects. Iasta will evaluate the project's specific needs and provide coaching and mentoring support for sourcing best practices. Such issues may include auction tactics, lotting strategies, event set-up and planning, and supplier communication strategies, optimization strategy & mentoring, supplier communication strategies, survey/questionnaire planning, formula/offline bidding tactics. Admin-users can request this service through phone or email.
Supplier Training
Suppliers have access to web-delivered supplier training sessions. Suppliers are also provided with online training documents and video tutorials that are embedded within the platform. Suppliers register for tutorials based on open calendar sessions. Supplier training registration is voluntary for the supplier.
Live Auction Support
Iasta's Support team can assist buyers during live auctions. Upon request, Iasta will monitor a live auction for connection issues, work with suppliers to resolve issues associated with bidding, or proxy bid for supplier-users if necessary.
Iasta's Product Services for SmartSource SRM delivers a variety of sourcing solutions allowing companies access to the right level of sourcing expertise, at the right time, at the right price. The Product Services program is a menu of solutions that cater to the needs of buyers, sourcing teams, and organizations. Iasta augments the team's existing skills and expertise so they can fully realize benefits of online sourcing.
Platform Customization programs - Available to all customers, this program helps launch a customized sourcing platform that benefits the overall sourcing team. This one-time service ensures that a customer's product platform is customized to reflect the desired look and feel and integrates the customer's sourcing processes. Iasta has two programs available to customers.
Advanced Deployment - Iasta works with your team to identify and embed your company's unique best practices within your sourcing application. Iasta will jointly develop custom templates for emails and sourcing projects. Iasta's Advanced Deployment program helps to aide knowledge transfer and expedites user adoption.
Express Deployment - This program is designed for highly self-sufficient companies who want to take immediate control of their Iasta sourcing platform. Express Deployment, a one-time service, expedites the launch of an Iasta platform with a custom look and feel.
User Adoption Program - The Iasta Consulting Group has a proven track record for helping companies strengthen their assets and find better ways to make decisions. The adoption program is offered to Iasta clients who want a tailored plan to rollout or jumpstart an eSourcing program. Iasta works with your team to launch a customized Iasta platform, develop a training plan, integrate industry best practices and support team transformation.
Iasta Advisory Services - Today's sourcing teams face numerous challenges, especially with the fast pace of the global economy. As an Iasta customer, companies can tap into a variety of expert services ranging from tactical support to strategic. Iasta has a proven track record for leading a strategic transformation program, conducting detailed opportunity assessments or fully managing a sourcing project. Our team combines deep sourcing experience with technical knowledge and high levels of customer service to help companies meet their goals. The end result is maximizing every dollar that your company spends on goods and services.
