The State of Strategic Sourcing 2013
We're pleased to announce that Ardent Partners' State of Strategic Sourcing Report 2013 is now available. Subtitled: "Speed is Good, Agility is Better," this research report dives deep into the…
Mobility and Complex Category Management (Part I)
In the procurement and supply management world, buzzwords come-and-go every year. Some of these fresh happenings represent a true change in the business world, while others fizzle out as their…
Ten Key Points for Doing Business with Mexican Suppliers
[Publisher's note: With the cost of production (and delivery) rising in China, we thought it would make sense to share some of our ePayables research on international trade requirements when…
Agility: Source Like a Cheetah
Agility noun \ə-ˈji-lə-tē\ 1. ease and grace in physical activity 2. the power of moving quickly and easily; nimbleness: exercises demanding agility. 3. the ability to think and draw conclusions…
CPO Shop Talk: SAPPHIRE 2013 Edition
Through a scheduling blunder (not my only of the season), I was a virtual attendee of this year's SAPPHIRE NOW & ASUG 2013 conference held last week in Orlando. With…
Future Shock: Disruptive Technologies on Procurement’s Horizon
From our cars to our homes to our computers, new and innovative technologies are changing the way we do almost everything. That change is coming to procurement and the impact…
Keynote from Ariba LIVE 2013: Ramsay Chu
When I last spoke with "friend of the site," Ramsay Chu in early 2012, he had just been hired as the new Global Head of Procurement ("CPO") at Rio Tinto…
Ariba LIVE 2013: Keynote from Down Under
Ariba LIVE was held this week in Washington DC and the analyst team from Ardent Partners was there in full force. Yes, just us and 2,000 customers, staffers, partners, sponsors,…
Concur Fusion 2013 – The Next 20 Years of Business Travel
Earlier this week, I was in Las Vegas for Concur's annual user conference, Fusion. Concur, a provider of travel and expense management solutions (also ePayables solutions) has become such a…
Coupa Inspire ’13: The Real Thing
Earlier this week, I attended Coupa's inaugural user conference, Inspire,in San Francisco. It was a winning and impressive display that blended executive and product presentations with client success stories on…