Sourcematix®

Overview

Sourcematix® is a software solution for professional category management and strategic sourcing. This web-based, on-line tool has two major functionalities:

  1. A common organisational workflow process for strategic sourcing and category management, with decision support and expert guidance on best practice, for all pre- and post-contractual activities and tasks.
  2. An on-line simulation and e-learning tool for individual competence development and training for all activities and tasks in the end-to-end strategic sourcing and category management process.

Sourcematix® is available under license or for on-demand use.

A Common Process

Sourcematix® an on-line common process tool that covers all of the pre- and post-contractual activities & tasks that must be undertaken in a world-class strategic sourcing and category management process.

The Sourcematix® tool is structured in 8-Steps with all of the key activities and tasks that must be undertaken as part of a world-class approach to strategic sourcing and category management, as shown below:

The tool is built in 8-Steps, but it is a modular software application and can be reconfigured to suit any specific client organisational process needs. It can also be configured to link with existing ERP systems.

The Sourcematix® solution provides a structured on-line common organisational process through which clients can segment and manage all of their categories of spend. The tool provides the following major functionalities:

  • A web-based organisational process for strategic sourcing and category management
  • A decision support system providing expert guidance on strategic and tactical sourcing options
  • A knowledge management and codification system
  • A web-based simulation and e-learning competence development and training process
  • An audit process for organisational assurance

These functionalities are discussed in detail below.

Decision Support

The Sourcematix® tool provides organisations with a structured process for undertaking all of the pre- and post-contractual activities & tasks in the strategic sourcing process, and for all types of spend category.

Based on the work undertaken by the client and inputted into the tool, the system automatically produces analytic reports to guide users about the strategic and tactical sourcing options available to them.

Key analytics include:

  • Power & Leverage Positioning
  • Competitive Forces
  • Supplier Positioning
  • Relationship & Performance Positioning
  • Purchasing Portfolio Analysis
  • Sourcing Portfolio Analysis
  • Strategic Sourcing Options
  • Tactical Sourcing Levers

Competence Development

The Sourcematix® tool also provides organisations with an on-line competence development and training process for all of the pre- and post-contractual activities and tasks in the strategic sourcing process.

For each activity and task in the end-to-end strategic sourcing process there is a competence prompt provided that explains to the user:

  • The importance of the activity and/or task to the sourcing process
  • The impact of the activity and/or task on the sourcing process
  • How to undertake the activity and/or task to a world-class level
  • Where to obtain any necessary information to complete specific activities & tasks
  • How to answer specific questions and/or complete activities and/or tasks.

The competence prompts are available as an expert tutorial whenever the user needs to access them. The prompts provide the equivalent of a world-class MBA-level tutorial in procurement and supply chain management to improve individual competence on-line at the activity and task level.