Comments on: e-RFx Best Practices and Associated Benefits http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2007/10/03/e-rfx-best-practices-and-associated-benefits/ The source of information and best practices in strategic sourcing. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:56:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Eric Strovink http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2007/10/03/e-rfx-best-practices-and-associated-benefits/#comment-8322 Eric Strovink Wed, 03 Oct 2007 15:06:11 +0000 http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2007/10/03/e-rfx-best-practices-and-associated-benefits/#comment-8322 I would add, "make sure your e-sourcing software works well." All RFX software is not the same, despite analysts' assumptions that it is a "commodity" or that RFx technology is "old news." As recently as 12 months ago, I was made aware of an RFP effort that nearly failed due to software inadequacies. It may have four wheels and some shiny chrome, but it also might be a Yugo. Make sure that you force the e-sourcing vendor to show you the whole process of setting up and running the RFP. Make sure to ask tough questions about the kinds of data that can be collected, preferably with a specific RFP and commodity in mind, so you can be practical rather than theoretical. Make sure to ask how that data can then be analyzed and how optimal decisions can be made. Make sure that you can do all these things yourself -- self-sufficiency is key to extracting value. I would add, “make sure your e-sourcing software works well.” All RFX software is not the same, despite analysts’ assumptions that it is a “commodity” or that RFx technology is “old news.” As recently as 12 months ago, I was made aware of an RFP effort that nearly failed due to software inadequacies. It may have four wheels and some shiny chrome, but it also might be a Yugo.

Make sure that you force the e-sourcing vendor to show you the whole process of setting up and running the RFP. Make sure to ask tough questions about the kinds of data that can be collected, preferably with a specific RFP and commodity in mind, so you can be practical rather than theoretical. Make sure to ask how that data can then be analyzed and how optimal decisions can be made. Make sure that you can do all these things yourself — self-sufficiency is key to extracting value.

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