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What is an Approval Workflow? Definition An approval workflow is a process in which a document or request is passed through a series of steps before it is finally approved. Each step in the workflow is typically performed by a different individual or group, and each step must be completed before the next one can

What is an Approved Supplier? Definition In business, the term “approved supplier” is used to refer to a supplier that has been vetted and pre-qualified by a company or organization. The approval process usually involve some form of due diligence, such as a review of the supplier’s financials, quality control procedures, and/or references. An approved

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Definition Artificial intelligence is a process of programming a computer to make decisions for itself. This can be done through a number of methods, but the most common is through the use of algorithms. Algorithms are a set of rules that are followed in order to complete a task. They

What is Best Practice? Definition Best practice is defined as doing something the way it is supposed to be done. It is based on the knowledge and experience of those who have gone before us. In order to achieve best practice, we must constantly strive to learn and improve. We must also be willing to

What is Direct Spend? Definition Direct spend is a term used in supply chain management that refers to the total amount of money that a company spends on goods and services that are directly related to its production process. This includes raw materials, components, and labor. In other words, direct spend is the money that

What is an Expression Of Interest? Definition Are you interested in applying for a job, but not sure how to get started? An Expression of Interest (EOI) may be just what you need. An EOI is a short document that shows your intent to apply for a particular job or project. It’s usually one page

What is a Key Performance Indicator? Definition A key performance indicator (KPI) is a metric used to evaluate an organization, business unit, or individual’s performance. A KPI measures progress and success in relation to stated objectives. There are many different types of KPIs, and each organization will have different KPIs based on their specific goals

What is a Key Supplier? Definition In business, the term “key supplier” is used to describe a company that provides an essential product or service to another company. A key supplier is typically a strategic partner that is essential to the success of the business. A key supplier may be a producer of raw materials,

What is Competitive Procedure With Negotiation? Definition Competitive procedure with negotiation is a type of public procurement procedure, under EU law, whereby the contracting authority (CA) conducts a negotiated procedure after having conducted a competition among potential contractors. The main difference between this procedure and the other types of procedures is that, after the competition

What is Machine Learning (ML)? Definition Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence (AI) that provides computers with the ability to learn and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed to do so. The term “machine learning” was coined in 1959 by Arthur Samuel, an American computer scientist who pioneered the field of AI.

What is a Request For Quote (RFQ)? Definition In business, the request for quote, or RFQ process, is when a company solicits bids from vendors for a product or service. The RFQ usually follows an RFP (request for proposal), in which the company has already determined its needs and is now looking for the best

What is a Request For Proposal (RFP)? Definition A request for proposal, or RFP, is a document that solicitations from suppliers in order to obtain pricing and other important information about products or services. The RFP process is used by businesses in many industries, including advertising, architecture, construction, and information technology. In order to create

What is a Purchase Order Form? Definition A purchase order is a request that initiates the buying process of goods or services. It’s a formalized request that includes all the important details of the transaction, such as what’s being bought, how much it costs, and when delivery is expected. A purchase order form is the

What is Selection Criteria in Procurement? Definition The world of procurement is filled with jargon and technical terms that can be difficult to understand. In this blog post, we will demystify one of these terms: selection criteria. In the most basic sense, selection criteria are the guidelines that a procurement team uses to choose between

What is RFx? Definition RFx stands for Request for (anything). It’s a generic term used in procurement for the process of inviting suppliers to submit a proposal or quotation for the supply of goods or services. The RFx process is used to help organizations select the best supplier to meet their requirements. It can be

What is Stakeholder Engagement? Definition What is stakeholder engagement? It’s a term that you might have heard thrown around but what does it actually mean? In business, a stakeholder is anyone who has an interest in the company or who can be affected by the company’s actions. This includes but is not limited to shareholders,

What is Supplier Benchmarking? Definition Supplier benchmarking is the process of comparing a company’s performance against other companies in the same industry or market. The aim is to identify areas where the company can improve its performance and become more competitive. This process can be applied to any area of a company’s operations, from manufacturing

What is Supplier Importance? Definition In business, the term “supplier” is used to describe a company or individual that provides goods or services to another company. A supplier can be an important part of a company’s operations, and the relationship between a company and its suppliers can have a significant impact on the company’s bottom

What is Supplier Performance Management? Definition Supplier performance management (SPM) is the process of assessing, measuring, and improving supplier performance. The goal of SPM is to ensure that suppliers are meeting all requirements and expectations in terms of quality, cost, delivery, and service. There are many different methods for assessing supplier performance, but the most

What is Supplier Performance? Definition Supplier performance is a measure of how well a supplier meets the requirements specified in the contract. The requirements can be quality, delivery, cost, or other measures. A supplier’s performance is important to the customer because it can affect the quality of the product, the price, and the delivery time.

What is a Request for Information (RFI)? Definition A request for information (RFI) is a type of procurement process in which a company or individual solicits information from potential suppliers about certain products or services. This process is often used when a company is seeking bids for a project or contract and wants to learn

What is Benchmarking? Definition Have you ever wondered what goes into the design of a product? How do companies know if their products are meeting customer expectations? The answer is quality benchmarking. Quality benchmarking is the process of comparing your product’s performance against similar products in the market. The goal is to identify areas where

What is a Supplier? Definition In business, the term “supplier” is used a variety of ways. Sometimes it’s used to describe the company that provides the raw materials for your product. Other times, it’s used interchangeably with “vendor,” meaning the company you buy finished goods from. In this article, we will explore the different types

What is Total Quality Management (TQM)? Definition Total Quality Management, or TQM, is an approach to management that seeks to integrate all aspects of an organization in order to improve quality and performance. The essential idea behind TQM is that quality is everyone’s responsibility and that all employees need to be involved in the quest

What is Vendor Onboarding? Definition Introduction Vendor onboarding is the process of onboarding new vendors and suppliers to your company. This process can be time-consuming and complicated, but it’s essential to ensure that your new vendor partners are a good fit for your business. There are a few key steps in vendor onboarding, including: 1.

What is a Supplier Portal? Definition A supplier portal is an online system that connects suppliers with buyers. It allows suppliers to list their products and services, and buyers to browse and compare different suppliers. A supplier portal can also provide other features and tools, such as a request for proposal (RFP) system, contract management,

What is Vendor Lifecycle Management? Definition Many organizations struggle to manage their vendor relationships effectively. In fact, according to a study by Forrester, “63% of enterprises struggle to keep track of which vendors they use and only 26% have a centralized view of all vendor contracts.” Vendor lifecycle management (VLM) is a process for assessing,

What is Value For Money? Definition The phrase ‘value for money’ is one that is used often, but what does it actually mean? In this blog post, we will explore the definition of value for money and how it can be applied in different scenarios. We will also look at some examples of how value

What is a Vendor Performance Scorecard? Definition A vendor performance scorecard is a tool used to compare and contrast the relative performance of different vendors. The scorecard can be used to track any number of performance indicators, from customer satisfaction to on-time delivery. The benefits of using a vendor performance scorecard are many: by taking

What is a Vendor Portal? Definition In the business world, a vendor portal is a website or web application that allows vendors to securely access information and conduct transactions with an organization. The term “vendor” can refer to suppliers, contractors, or any other type of business partner. A vendor portal is typically used to streamline

What is a Vendor? Definition A vendor, also known as a supplier, is a person or company that provides goods or services to another person or company. The term can be used in a number of different ways, but most commonly it refers to someone who provides raw materials, components, or finished products to manufacturers,