Analyst Insight: The true value of supplier relationship management is not what you think. It isn't just about managing a bi-directional relationship between the buyer and supplier – it's about managing the extended supply network (customers' customers and suppliers' suppliers). In today's business, the best network of relationships achieves optimal results; thus, managing the supplier relationship is not only critical to success, it's mandatory if full value is to be extracted for both the buyer and the supplier. – Mickey North Rizza, BravoSolution

Analyst Insight: There needs to be a clear line of sight between what is in the contract (and the contractual obligations of both parties), the performance metrics or KPIs, and the relationship, including a 360º perception of the relationship. However in practice this is rarely the case. – Alan Day, Chairman & Founder, State of Flux

With warehousing and logistics operations in numerous countries, Greg McKinley of InComm shares his experience and advice on how to select a reliable in-country vendor.

Sourcing and transporting raw materials and components are growing expenses for U.S manufacturers and distributors. Foster Finley, managing director, AlixPartners LLP, offers advice on how better sourcing decisions can help keep these costs in control.

Before the cloud - before the commercial internet - there were communications networks that linked manufacturers with their suppliers. How effective they were is another matter entirely.

Consider supply chain management a large puzzle comprised of many pieces. One major piece that many organizations find essential to form a complete picture is strategic sourcing, which involves the ongoing evaluation of purchasing activities and a commitment to look at all qualified solutions for both direct spend (costs associated with raw materials and parts for goods) and indirect spend (costs necessary for supporting production).