3rdwave Supplier Relations Management (SRM)

Overview

3rdwave's Supplier Relations Management (SRM) module provides easy-to-use data entry interfaces to capture all information required to manage Purchase Orders and Contracts, and related Purchase Order Releases (Shipping Instructions). Managing the flow of materials through multiple stages of the global sourcing process - from raw materials to finished products - is managed, controlled and made visible across all suppliers, and manufacturing and contract manufacturing facilities when using 3rdwave SRM.

Purchase contracts are entered into 3rdwave SRM via the web, electronically (EDI), remotely through modem dial-ups, or manually. Interactive intuitive screen presentations allow Purchasing personnel to easily and quickly process their work. On-line drill-down capabilitiesy enable operators to access data tables immediately for all supplier terms, conditions and product-related information.

3rdwave's Landed Cost program is an integral supporting capability to the SRM process and provides a fully-automated way to capture, calculate and create highly accurate (+99% proven) estimated landed cost budgets. All costing data elements are carried forward into downstream activities as physical shipments are executed globally.

Powerful query and reporting tools provide total visibility into purchase order and shipping instruction statuses. User-defined event tracking supports proactive monitoring of supplier activities and ensures compliance against production and shipping milestones. This results in increased order fill ratios, on time shipments and enhanced asset utilization.

Domestic and import purchase orders, purchase contracts, trade deals, shipping instructions, consolidations and other Purchase Order entities that require control and/or have inherent complexitiy are easily managed in this module.

3rdwave's Integrated Features

The 3rdwave SRM module is fully-integrated with other related 3rdwave modules to provide a total enterprise sourcing and distribution environment. With total integration and synchronization of workflow and data, absolute global visibility across all functional silos is ensured.

• Quote Management (RFQ)
• Customer Relations Management (CRM)
• Global Logistics
• Inventory and Warehouse Control
• Accounting and Finance
• Management Reporting and others

3rdwave SRM Module Features (partial list)

• Processes master and single purchase contracts
• Cost budgeting at contract and shipment level linked to A/P
• Manages foreign currency purchases and exposure
• Multi-company and multi-department capability
• Vendor/Product relationship logic
• Supplier-specific product descriptions supported - maintains complex product descriptions, components, options and configurations
• Foreign language descriptions and terms supported
• Supports supplier pricing, discount and commission structures
• Automatic conversions of units of measures and equivalencies: e.g., tons, pounds, eaches, cases, crates, etc.
• Payment Terms - database defaulted or user-defined
• Shipping Terms - database defaulted or user-defined
• Unlimited capacity for free format comments, at contract, vendor, item or instruction level
• Automatic replication of current and past contracts
• Shipping Instruction/Order Release control and maintenance

Documentation Outputs (partial list)

• Purchase Contracts
• Purchase Orders
• Order Releases
• Shipping Instructions
• Letters of Credit

3rdwave RFQ - Benefits

• Improved customer relations - Customer Requests for Quotations are processed quickly (50% increase in turn around time) and more accurately. Customer RFQ positions are visible to sales representatives, customer service representatives, accounting, and management. Sales and marketing have ready access to the information they need to interface with their customers. Management has critical order activity and profitability information to support improved strategic decision-making.
• Enhanced productivity through more effective work process - Operator work is streamlined throughout the RFQ processing cycle. Once a RFQs' details are posted to the database, 3rdwave automatically generates RFQs, contracts, purchase and sales orders, documentation, invoices, etc., and eliminates redundant re-keying of information.
• Improved profitability and financial control - Greater customer satisfaction, streamlined work processes, enhanced corporate productivity, and visibility into all activities of the global supply chain. Better asset utilization and improved real-time information supports strategic decision-making and results in improved corporate profitability.