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	<title>E-Sourcing Forum &#187; FunctionalityE-Sourcing Forum</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/category/functionality/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.esourcingforum.com</link>
	<description>The source of information and best practices in strategic sourcing.</description>
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		<title>It’s 2012. Do You Know Where Your Cash Went in 2011?</title>
		<link>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2012/02/06/it%e2%80%99s-2012-do-you-know-where-your-cash-went-in-2011/</link>
		<comments>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2012/02/06/it%e2%80%99s-2012-do-you-know-where-your-cash-went-in-2011/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:45:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Paladin Associates - Bob Matthews</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Global Sourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sourcing Best Practices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spend Analysis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology / SaaS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cash]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cash flow improvements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cost savings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[data enrichment processes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[paladin associates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[procurement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spend analytics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spend Visibility]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.esourcingforum.com/?p=78364</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[At month end, many families struggle with too many bills and not enough cash. What to do? Financial planners suggest that families start a log of all expenses so that at the end of the month they can see where the cash went. Families that do that find opportunities to cut back. “I didn’t realize I spent that much at Starbucks” is a typical revelation. Businesses face the same situation; cash seems to disappear: Financial statements show expense categories, but &#8230; <a href="http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2012/02/06/it%e2%80%99s-2012-do-you-know-where-your-cash-went-in-2011/">More <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2012/02/06/it%e2%80%99s-2012-do-you-know-where-your-cash-went-in-2011/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Six Steps to Running Successful Reverse Auctions in the Insurance Space</title>
		<link>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2012/01/26/six-steps-to-running-successful-reverse-auctions-in-the-insurance-space/</link>
		<comments>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2012/01/26/six-steps-to-running-successful-reverse-auctions-in-the-insurance-space/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:10:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Greg Henkin- iXchange</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Functionality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RFx / Auctions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reverse Auctions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology / SaaS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[e-Sourcing Marketplace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[insurance industry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[insurance space]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[iXchange]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[procurement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RFx]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[software as a service]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sourcing events]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.esourcingforum.com/?p=78348</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Greg Henkin Managing, Partner iXchange, has more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry. He has held senior management positions in several major insurance brokerages, owned his own brokerage and risk management consulting firms, and now owns and operates the iXchange. In his experience, reverse auctions in the insurance space are most successful when the sourcing event follows these six steps: Establish goals and parameters. Agree on the timing and date of the auction. In addition, you should &#8230; <a href="http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2012/01/26/six-steps-to-running-successful-reverse-auctions-in-the-insurance-space/">More <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2012/01/26/six-steps-to-running-successful-reverse-auctions-in-the-insurance-space/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Are You the Customer or the Product? (Part 2)</title>
		<link>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2012/01/06/are-you-the-customer-or-the-product-part-2/</link>
		<comments>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2012/01/06/are-you-the-customer-or-the-product-part-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:50:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Coletti- Iasta</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Functionality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Project Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RFx / Auctions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Saas / Cloud]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[e-RFx]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[e-Sourcing Marketplace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[eSourcing programs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[free eSourcing tools]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[free services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[free software]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iasta]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[procurement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sourcing support]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[supply chain software]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[support]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[value of free tools]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.esourcingforum.com/?p=78286</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In Part 1, I covered the model and value of free tools. Click here to read Part 1. In Part 2, I will cover another important component of free tools, support. Another hard truth about free eSourcing tools is that many of them do not come with much support. Perhaps you get some online manuals or a video tutorial, but don’t expect live, experienced user support to help guide you during critical events. The onset of an eSourcing program is &#8230; <a href="http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2012/01/06/are-you-the-customer-or-the-product-part-2/">More <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2012/01/06/are-you-the-customer-or-the-product-part-2/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Are You the Customer or the Product? (Part 1)</title>
		<link>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2012/01/05/are-you-the-customer-or-the-product-part-1/</link>
		<comments>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2012/01/05/are-you-the-customer-or-the-product-part-1/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:30:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Coletti- Iasta</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Functionality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Project Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RFx / Auctions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology / SaaS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[e-RFx]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[e-Sourcing Marketplace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[eRFx]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[esourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[free services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[free technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[procurement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[products]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[software]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[software as a service]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[software selection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spend management software]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[srm]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[supply chain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[user value]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[users]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.esourcingforum.com/?p=78277</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Many companies these days are providing free services and technology to different markets. This is not a new trend. Over a decade ago, I got my first free, Web-based e-mail account. It was a Hotmail account and, in fact, I still have it today. Free storage, free tools, free address book, etc. – it’s pretty cool. Today, you can find dozens of free, Web-based e-mail solutions, each having its own hook but all looking pretty much the same. The one &#8230; <a href="http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2012/01/05/are-you-the-customer-or-the-product-part-1/">More <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2012/01/05/are-you-the-customer-or-the-product-part-1/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Structured Sourcing Process and e-Tool Deliver Double Digit Savings</title>
		<link>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2012/01/03/structured-sourcing-process-and-e-tool-deliver-double-digit-savings/</link>
		<comments>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2012/01/03/structured-sourcing-process-and-e-tool-deliver-double-digit-savings/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:25:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Paladin Associates</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Functionality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Optimization]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Project Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RFx / Auctions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reverse Auctions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[e-RFx]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[e-Sourcing Marketplace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[e-Tools]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[esourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FIBSc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mature sourcing organizations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[paladin associates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[procurement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RFI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RFP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rfp development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sealed bid]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sourcing organizations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sourcing proccess]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Suppliers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[survey]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.esourcingforum.com/?p=78157</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As sourcing organizations mature, it becomes more and more challenging to deliver significant savings across well-sourced categories.  However, it has been Paladin Associates’ experience that there continue to be opportunities in both direct and indirect categories.  Recently a client engaged Paladin to lead the sourcing process for Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs).  While the process was not unusual, its rigor demonstrated efficiency, effectiveness and the capability to deliver not only savings, but to provide greater understanding of and continuity of &#8230; <a href="http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2012/01/03/structured-sourcing-process-and-e-tool-deliver-double-digit-savings/">More <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2012/01/03/structured-sourcing-process-and-e-tool-deliver-double-digit-savings/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Reverse Auction Strategy Can Halve Insurance Costs</title>
		<link>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/12/01/reverse-auction-strategy-can-halve-insurance-costs/</link>
		<comments>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/12/01/reverse-auction-strategy-can-halve-insurance-costs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:14:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Greg Henkin- iXchange</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Functionality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RFx / Auctions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reverse Auctions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology / SaaS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Broker Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cost savings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[electronic auctions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[insurance costs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[iXchange]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[procurement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sourcing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.esourcingforum.com/?p=78148</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The use of reverse auctions has significantly reduced the costs of many commodities that corporations purchase. The “art” of spend management and Group Purchasing Organizations (GPO’s) using reverse auctions is becoming common among private equity firms. The principal focus of spend management is on goods and commodities. The successful application of reverse auctions to such corporate service “spend” categories as legal, accounting and insurance is relatively limited.  A few large corporations have experimented with the use of reverse auctions for &#8230; <a href="http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/12/01/reverse-auction-strategy-can-halve-insurance-costs/">More <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/12/01/reverse-auction-strategy-can-halve-insurance-costs/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Optimization: Guarantee Best Total Value</title>
		<link>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/11/18/optimization-guarantee-best-total-value/</link>
		<comments>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/11/18/optimization-guarantee-best-total-value/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:30:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Paladin Associates -Rob Patton</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Functionality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Optimization]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sourcing Best Practices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology / SaaS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[award analysis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[best practices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bid analysis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bid gathering]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[competitive bids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cost savings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[expressive bidding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[optimzation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[paladin associates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[procurement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[scenario analysis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sourcing best practices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[strategic sourcing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.esourcingforum.com/?p=78101</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Cast a Wider Net Using World Class Bid Gathering and Bid Analysis Tools Optimization is the process of collecting and evaluating supplier proposals to arrive at the best possible sourcing solution that meets all the buyer’s needs.  This process reaches out to current and prospective suppliers encouraging all to be creative and innovative. Optimization uses state-of-the art computer based tools that give suppliers an online platform for submitting proposals in a “non-auction” environment and enabling buyers to thoroughly evaluate hundreds &#8230; <a href="http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/11/18/optimization-guarantee-best-total-value/">More <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/11/18/optimization-guarantee-best-total-value/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Best Practices for Successful Sourcing Dashboards</title>
		<link>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/11/10/best-practices-for-successful-sourcing-dashboards/</link>
		<comments>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/11/10/best-practices-for-successful-sourcing-dashboards/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:15:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jami Parent</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Functionality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sourcing Best Practices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology / SaaS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[best practices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BI software]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[contract information]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dashboards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[key projects]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[procurement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[project management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sourcing dashboards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sourcing tools]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[supplier information management]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.esourcingforum.com/?p=78078</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In the modern, data-centric world we live in, dashboards are all the rage. In fact, a dashboard is one of the most powerful tools that business-intelligence software can bring to users. The accessibility and user-friendly data offered by well-designed dashboards can increase transparency into key projects and improve resource tracking, to name only a couple advantages. As BI software continues to evolve, three key characteristics have emerged as best practices for developing successful dashboards: • Simple, but meaningful: The data should &#8230; <a href="http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/11/10/best-practices-for-successful-sourcing-dashboards/">More <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/11/10/best-practices-for-successful-sourcing-dashboards/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>3 Scary Situations that Keep Procurement Professionals Up at Night</title>
		<link>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/10/31/3-scary-situations-that-keep-procurement-professionals-up-at-night/</link>
		<comments>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/10/31/3-scary-situations-that-keep-procurement-professionals-up-at-night/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:09:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ashley Sieb</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Global Supply Issues/Risk]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spend Analysis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Supplier Information Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Supplier Performance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Supplier Performance & Risk Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Suppliers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[category-driven procurement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[collaboration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[compliance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gartner]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Halloween]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iasta]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[procurement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sarbanes Oxleys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[source]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sourcing credibility]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sourcing pipeline]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spend under management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spend Visibility]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[supplier risk]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[supply chain goverance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Webcast]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.esourcingforum.com/?p=78036</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Today, many children will roam the streets trick-or-treating, and people of all ages will attend costume parties and decorate their homes with all things “scary.” This spooky holiday got us thinking about what fears keep procurement professionals restless and awake all night. Below are three of the scary situations we came up with for procurement: 1. Supplier risk – Risk should always be taken into account as part of good supply chain governance. Without having a process in place to track and &#8230; <a href="http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/10/31/3-scary-situations-that-keep-procurement-professionals-up-at-night/">More <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/10/31/3-scary-situations-that-keep-procurement-professionals-up-at-night/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Planning to Acquire or be Acquired?  Spend Analysis Can Help</title>
		<link>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/09/30/planning-to-acquire-or-be-acquired-spend-analysis-can-help/</link>
		<comments>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/09/30/planning-to-acquire-or-be-acquired-spend-analysis-can-help/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:00:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jami Parent</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Functionality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spend Analysis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology / SaaS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[acquisitions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ciena]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[data]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[esourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iasta]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[M&A]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mergers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mergers and acquisitions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[procurement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[purchasing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Seth Balsam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[smartanalytics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spend]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spend management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Webcast]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.esourcingforum.com/?p=77929</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last week, Seth Balsam, Director of Global IT Sourcing at Ciena, contributed to Iasta’s Webcast, Using Spend Analysis to Smooth the M&#38;A Path: 4 Steps to Consolidate Your Purchasing Power. When Ciena acquired Nortel’s Metro Ethernet Networks, Ciena literally doubled its size overnight:  twice the revenue, twice the customers, and twice the employees. All those doubles don’t come for free. Even though spend data doesn’t get a lot of headlines in M&#38;A news, the merger also resulted in twice the &#8230; <a href="http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/09/30/planning-to-acquire-or-be-acquired-spend-analysis-can-help/">More <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/09/30/planning-to-acquire-or-be-acquired-spend-analysis-can-help/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Merger &amp; Acquisition Activity on the Rise. Is Your Sourcing Team Prepared?</title>
		<link>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/09/26/merger-acquisition-activity-on-the-rise-is-your-sourcing-team-prepared/</link>
		<comments>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/09/26/merger-acquisition-activity-on-the-rise-is-your-sourcing-team-prepared/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:33:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ashley Sieb</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured Posts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Industry News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sourcing Best Practices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spend Analysis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology / SaaS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BPO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ciena]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cost savings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Forrester Research]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iasta]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[M&A]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mergers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mergers and acquisitions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nortel Networks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[procurement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sourcing team]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spend reporting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spend reports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spend Visibility]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[supplier rationalization]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Webcast]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.esourcingforum.com/?p=77915</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[During the first half of 2011, more than 4,100 merger and acquisition (M&#38;A) transactions took place, according to a recent article on Open Forum. These transactions were valued at more than $620 billion. In the second quarter of the year alone, more than 2,000 M&#38;As were successfully completed, with a transaction value exceeding $260 billion. You don’t see only big companies participating in M&#38;As, either. According to the article, “People are attracted to larger numbers and that’s why those deals &#8230; <a href="http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/09/26/merger-acquisition-activity-on-the-rise-is-your-sourcing-team-prepared/">More <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/09/26/merger-acquisition-activity-on-the-rise-is-your-sourcing-team-prepared/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Upcoming Webcast with Forrester Research &amp; Ciena: Using Spend Analysis to Smooth the M&amp;A Path</title>
		<link>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/08/26/upcoming-webcast-with-forrester-research-ciena-using-spend-analysis-to-smooth-the-ma-path/</link>
		<comments>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/08/26/upcoming-webcast-with-forrester-research-ciena-using-spend-analysis-to-smooth-the-ma-path/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:19:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ashley Sieb</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Analysts/Research]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Iasta News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spend Analysis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Supplier Information Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[acquisition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ciena]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cost savings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Forrester Research]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[free webcast]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[industry research]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[M&A]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[merger]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[purchasing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spend classifications]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spend patters]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spend reports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[taxonomy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Webcast]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.esourcingforum.com/?p=77820</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Did you know post M&#38;A spend analysis efforts typically yield a savings of 7-10 times the project investment? Spend visibility is critical in helping your organization consolidate its purchasing power. Without spend visibility, you could be missing out on significant cost-savings opportunities. You never know where your organization&#8217;s true and best opportunities are until the majority of spend data has been analyzed.  Join Iasta, Ciena and Andrew Bartels from Forrester Research for a free Webcast titled Using Spend Analysis to &#8230; <a href="http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/08/26/upcoming-webcast-with-forrester-research-ciena-using-spend-analysis-to-smooth-the-ma-path/">More <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/08/26/upcoming-webcast-with-forrester-research-ciena-using-spend-analysis-to-smooth-the-ma-path/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>eSourcing Does Not Equal Reverse Auctions</title>
		<link>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/08/12/esourcing-does-not-equal-reverse-auctions/</link>
		<comments>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/08/12/esourcing-does-not-equal-reverse-auctions/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:36:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dave Cravens - Iasta</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Global Sourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Optimization]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RFx / Auctions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reverse Auctions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[e-Sourcing Marketplace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[esourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[people]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[process]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[procurement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sourcing Process]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sourcing technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[technology]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.esourcingforum.com/?p=77767</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It seems that there are still some misunderstandings in the marketplace about the place of reverse auctions in eSourcing. I’ve noticed that several procurement professionals are facing resistance from their internal stakeholders to using eSourcing platforms. This puzzled me, so I decided to put on my detective’s hat. In my investigation, I determined that many procurement professionals: • Use a rigorous sourcing process or “playbook” • Have a common platform that provides a centralized place for everyone to collaborate and gain visibility &#8230; <a href="http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/08/12/esourcing-does-not-equal-reverse-auctions/">More <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/08/12/esourcing-does-not-equal-reverse-auctions/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Six Steps to Implementing Spend Analysis:  Procrastination is not actually the first step!</title>
		<link>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/08/03/six-steps-to-implementing-spend-analysis-procrastination-is-not-actually-the-first-step/</link>
		<comments>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/08/03/six-steps-to-implementing-spend-analysis-procrastination-is-not-actually-the-first-step/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Aug 2011 14:57:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jami Parent</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Functionality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sourcing Best Practices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spend Analysis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology / SaaS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[data views]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[leverage spend data]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[procurement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[smartanalytics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spend analsyis refreshes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spend analysis solutions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spend classification]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spend data]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spend data classification]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spend data reports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[United Nations Standard Products and Services Code]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNSPSC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.esourcingforum.com/?p=77721</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Everyone in procurement knows that spend analysis is important. The problem is they also know that it’s hard.  It means getting a lot of data that may come from multiple sources, determining a hierarchical classification system, and classifying each piece of data (usually each financial transaction). You’re also going to need software tools to compile the data in meaningful ways so that you can see spending patterns and identify opportunities for savings.  It’s not about getting the data one time;  &#8230; <a href="http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/08/03/six-steps-to-implementing-spend-analysis-procrastination-is-not-actually-the-first-step/">More <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/08/03/six-steps-to-implementing-spend-analysis-procrastination-is-not-actually-the-first-step/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>How to Approach Indirect Costs in the Retail Industry: Part 2</title>
		<link>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/07/14/how-to-approach-indirect-costs-in-the-retail-industry-part-2/</link>
		<comments>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/07/14/how-to-approach-indirect-costs-in-the-retail-industry-part-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:52:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Catherine Hunter- PRGX</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Sourcing Best Practices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spend Analysis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Supplier Information Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology / SaaS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[category]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[indirect good and services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[indirect spend]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PRGX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[procurement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[proof of concept]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spend anlaysis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spend Cube]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spend Visibility]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Suppliers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[volume]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.esourcingforum.com/?p=77628</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In the second of the 4 part series, we will dive more deeply into the first possible approach to finding savings in indirect goods and services:  Spend Visibility. Although most companies realize how important spend visibility is, many companies struggle with three common issues:  1. How do I build a business case to prove we need visibility? 2. I have an ERP system, can’t I use that? 3. I have a spend visibility provider, but I am not sure if it is giving &#8230; <a href="http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/07/14/how-to-approach-indirect-costs-in-the-retail-industry-part-2/">More <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.esourcingforum.com/archives/2011/07/14/how-to-approach-indirect-costs-in-the-retail-industry-part-2/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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