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by Diane Himes, MA Editorial Staff   | Abstract: | An industry update on the supplier relationship management software space with links to Managing Automation's online product directory. |
As the needs and concerns of manufacturers have evolved, so too has the technology used to support their businesses. Take, for example, manufacturing resource planning software, which has evolved into the comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) business management systems, widely considered essential to any serious business in today's marketplace. Similarly, supplier management software has evolved over the years to fit the changing needs of manufacturers. Today, "all activities involving market analysis for supply, sourcing strategies, strategic vendor management, vendor collaboration, and document exchange are becoming increasingly critical in every manufacturing business," Andy Kyte, an analyst and vice president at research firm Gartner Inc., told Managing Automation. Further, the procurement of goods and services represents a constantly increasing percentage of the cost base of every organization, driven by factors such as globalization, innovation, and specialization, Kyte says. [Click to continue] |