Book Description

Cut costs and control inventory an adaptive business network

This book introduces the adaptive business network, a new method of business interaction that offers the ability to respond swiftly to changing market conditions, increase revenue growth, and lower overall cost. In Adapt or Die, the experts from SAP provide a thought-provoking road map to a new business world in which companies are linked together by uniform business processes and standardized software (uniform business processes and standardized software leaves me the impression of being rigid and inflexible, which is contrary to what were trying to say in the book). An adaptive business network allows companies to more precisely control inventory, quickly add or drop trading partners, and produce products and services that mirror actual customer demand.

Adapt or Die explores all the vital aspects of the adaptive business network, including:

• The benefits for your business
• Ways to prepare your company
• Implementing the adaptive business network in four steps
• Its application to specific industries
• The changes the adaptive business network will bring to the future of business

Reviews (8)

Theoretical framework
Conceptually the book is at its best in analyzing the dynamics of futuristic Supply Chains. It introduces the concept of Adaptive Business Networks that consist of several firms collaborating with each other as a virtual entity, facilitated by a coordinating partner. Each firm adjusts itself in real time to the market information, thereby winning together as a team of collaborating partners as opposed to achieving sub-optimal individual goals. The information flows from the Customer in a pre-determined manner, triggering business decisions based on uniform business processes and common technological platforms. The lead firm also retains the ability to add and drop partners depending on market forces and performance of the partners. There is no limit to the size of the network either. The partners also enjoy synergies by sharing common services - financial, consulting, legal for example. This is undoubtedly a dream of all supply chain managers. But then reality and dreams need to be bridged. This is where is book is lacking.

The issues that are not very convincingly answered are:

- How do participating firms, so diverse on their current technology platforms and business processes achieve the near standardization that is essential for such networks? Even in large multinational corporations running standard ERP software across several continents this is not yet achieved.

- Firms may have to participate in several networks simultaneously, and at times where the coordinating partners are fierce competitors in the same market. There would be conflicting interests where information sharing is not easy.

- Legal restrictions and protectionist walls across countries continue to prevail despite the rhetoric of globalization. An ideal network should first ensure a level playing ground for all players across this planet.

- CEO's today are afflicted by "Quarteritis". Missing numbers this quarter in the "larger interest" of their network may not appeal to most of them in the absence of substantial benefits accruing in the immediate future.

- Framework for collaboration between major software vendors to provide building blocks necessary for such a network.

Recommended reading to understand some interesting concepts that may be of help in designing supply chain solutions.

If you don't read any other biz books this year... read this
This book fills the great gap between too much theory/no real-life examples and detailed case studies on a specific company.

It really gets to grips with what it means to adapt, to make your whole business operation flexible enough to meet all challenges of todays environment. More than anything, it highlights why companies MUST adapt, why the old rules of business don't apply anymore.

Also real interesting that this is written by an exec of a software firm without plugging that company's products - it is objective and focused, detailed without being techie.

An all round excellent book.

Real World Assessment of Business Today
There are a lot of business books out there espousing the latest management fads and panceas. Having spent 15 years consulting with many US and multi-national manufacturers, this book does a great job of clearly depicting today's problems.

I think this book spoke plainly about those problems and solutions in way that many executives don't want to hear. There was no sugar coating in this book; either companies must come to grips with their antequated operating and management structures or they'll cease to exist. Pretty simple. And when you consider it for a moment, the are lot of companies that seem to be taking the latter path not the former (think United Airlines; Kmart; Ford; GM).

I think the adaptive business network is a great concept that deserves further consideration. It is interesting that the writer comes from a software/technology company, especially since this isn't a techie book. Maybe SAP is on to something big if they have the technology to help an adaptive business network run.

Adaptive supply chains are becoming alive
As a consultant and supply chain manager I have read a lot of theoretical stuff around supply chain management and how you can boost performance. This book is one the few that go down to the essential levers that drive supply chain improvements. At the same time the authors paint the picture of an adaptive business network and describe a step by step process how technology can help to transform a supply chain into an adaptive network. Supported with valuable company examples this book is very good to read and an inspiration for every decision maker who is not captured in his paradigms.

Great Supply Chain Vision
Adapt or Die is a must read for the visionary supply chain executive. The suppliers and customers of a company will change as the market demands different products and services. Without the ability to adapt, companies will risk losing market share to competitors. This book discusses how companies should prepare to for the future. ... Read more

Book Description

1001 Tips for Buying & Selling a Home is an invaluable reference for anyone looking for the ins and outs of buying or selling a home. From selecting the right real estate agent to make the process less stressful, to learning the process of buying and selling a home from the first showing to closing, Nash teaches you what to look for in your mortgage, home inspector, and other transaction participants. Nash offers recipes for smooth selling of your home, negotiating tactics, and reality-based advice to guide you to a successful closing. Also included is a handy, helpful glossary with definitions of real estate terms and a Resource Appendix that points you to additional information via websites, organizations, and government bodies. ... Read more

Book Description

Total Quality in Purchasing and Supplier Management is an important and essential new book which develops a systematic approach to purchasing and supplier quality management (PSQM). It explains how to build a solid customer-supplier relationship and presents methods for finding suppliers who will best align with the purchaser's organization (i.e., suppliers who are committed to a long-term relationship as well as the continuous improvement process). The methods involved in the purchaser/supplier continuing improvement process is also presented.Systems for prioritizing the deployment of commodities, products, services and suppliers are covered. A feedback mechanism that tracks supplier performance and insures that plans are being followed is presented.Finally, this new book explains the need for a PSQM system and shows how that system must become an integral part of any quality program in order for the extended enterprise to be successful.This book is an essential resource for any organization committed to the sucessful implementation of PSQM. ... Read more

Book Description

Covers major details that pertain to purchasing supplies and services for business operations. Topics include prudent purchasing strategies, inventory management, dealing with supply sources, negotiating prices, making capital equipment purchases, measuring purchasing performance, and much more. This new edition includes pertinent updates on how market developments impact the modern purchasing function. Titles in Barron's Business Library series are currently being revised and updated, and re-set in an attractive new paperback format. They are written especially for men and women starting a company or managing a small-to-medium-size business. Emphasis is on practical problem solving, and examples cited in these books are based on realistic business situations. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Exactly what a student needs.
I decided to independently study for the AP Macroeconomics exam my junior year. I had not taken any classes previously that would have helped me on the test. In addition to the Barron's book, I purchased the Princeton Review and the Cliffs Notes books. There is simply no comparsion-- the Barron's book is FAR superior. It does not waste the reader's time delving into topics not on the exam. It covers exactly what the student needs to know.
The other two books I mentioned are excessively light on some topics, and I am confident that if I would have taken the test with one or both of them, I would not have done nearly as well. But the Barron's book gave me everyting I needed.
At the end of each chapter(as is the case with all Barron's AP books) there are 15 multiple-choice questions covering the material from the chapter and a free response question. I found these questions relevant and instructive. The sample AP exam in the back of the book is well done.
Thanks to this book, I am confident I got a 5 on the AP Macroeconomics exam. There was just one multiple choice question I didn't recognize. Highly recommended.

I independent studied using this book
I never took the AP microeconomics course offered at my school. I just used this book and the PR book. Overall, this book is great in that it teaches all the information needed to ace the test. However, the questions in the practice test are not reflective of those on the real test. Also, sometimes, this book delves too deeply into the subject. It provides far more information than is necessary to get a 5 on the test. It is also more boring than the Princeton Review book. Information is presented in paragraph forms rather than in bulleted form, making it more unorganized. However, knowing this book back to front will easily get the job of getting a 5 on the AP test accomplished.

The reviews are good but the sample tests...
I've scored a 5 on the ap microeconomics this year.
And I had the chance to glimpse through this book just before the test. Well, about this book.

The reviews are superb!!!
It's full of economics that you will need on the test day.
Also I liked the review questions in the end of every chapter.
But there was one thing I was not satisfied with...
The sample test... They are terrible.
They're nothing like the test you'll see on the AP.
Apart from that I found this book great.
and to anyone who's studying for the AP economics, I recommend this book.

Economics From A to Z
I bought this book in order to review my long ago endevour into the world of economics. I found it to be enjoyable and comprehensive. I'm married to an economist and am now able to partake, and contribute, to the strange conversations she has with fellow economists (I am an engineer). Not an easy accomplishment for a single book to do that to an engineer. Excellent book!

ok but a lot of mistakes
The explanations were okay but there were a lot of mistakes. If you don't want to be confused, then don't buy this book. ... Read more

Book Description

The goal of Inventory Management will be to explain the dynamics of inventory management's principles, concepts, and techniques as they relate to the entire supply chain (customer demand, distribution, and product transformation processes). The interrelationships of all functions will be defined. The book concentrates on understanding the many ramifications of inventory management. In today's competitive business environment, inventory management has proven to be most critical, and this book is directed to the management of inventory to assist in better understanding the body of knowledge required to operate in a competitive world. Almost all functions such as sales, engineering, and accounting have an impact and are impacted by inventory management. The book will assist in the training of students as well as APICS CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management) candidates. As such it will not only be a textbook, but also a desk reference for those employees responsible for controlling inventories, and thereby assist in reducing cost, improving customer service, and maximizing capacity. ... Read more

Book Description

STATISTICS SHOW THAT ONLY 20% OF ALL BUSINESS BUYERS who set out to buy a California business actually follow through and buy one.This book addresses all the issues of why buyers fail and what they need to do to be successful in buying a California business.The author has worked with thousands of business buyers both as a California business broker and as a consultant, as well buying small businesses for himself during his early entrepreneur years - this book shares his knowledge on what is needed to be successful in buying a California business.Readers will learn: •How to buy a business with little down payment •How many business brokers and agents don't cooperate with each other and how to counter •How most potential buyers don't know the best way to search to find ideal businesses to purchase ... Read more

Book Description

More and more companies, regardless of their size, are required to purchase materials outside the United States. Many buyers and others purchasing professional lack the skills or the confidence to be successful in international purchasing or to manage foreign suppliers and the supply chain that results. Too often, buyers are obligated to rely on expensive subsidiaries, representatives, and brokers rather than deal directly with international suppliers themselves. Now, Global Supply Management explains the techniques that leading-edge companies use to get the best from their suppliers around the world. Global Supply Management is a tool for teaching purchasing professional the essentials of culture. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Perhaps Locke wanted to be TOO comprehensive
I just loved reading this book because I knew very few things about how to behave with international suppliers.The foremost target of this book is giving you good advices in order to deal with suppliers but the problem is that it's focused on the US point of view so it's rather difficult to explicitate this into you own point of view.These advices range from cultural differences to law and currency, aside from logistics;that's why when you've read the last page you feel a little confused about the real topic of it.
The book has really good appendix even if a little outdated.
Buying Dick Locke's book would be worthwhile only at 2 conditions:
-You are American
-You are absolutely new to Supply Management

A must-read for anyone involved in international procurement
Dick Locke, founder of the San Francisco-based Global Procurement Group, is a leading authority in the field of international purchasing. He shares his expertise in his new book, Global Supply Management. His clear and concise writing demystifies the topic of international purchasing and presents it as a manageable business process.

Locke concludes each chapter with a summary of key points and includes a number of "tests of understanding" throughout the book, both of which serve to reinforce the topic he has just covered. I also found Locke's practice of including references and resources at the end of each chapter to be more useful than a general compilation appearing in an appendix.

That's enough about style; let's talk content. The book begins with an outline of some of the challenges that face international purchasers - challenges that even experienced domestic buyers may not be aware of. Locke then takes his readers through a detailed explanation of the cultural differences that affect international purchasing. In his approach to this topic, he doesn't provide a collection of cultural cliches, but rather draws upon the work of well-known researchers and applies their findings to real-life business situations.

After identifying the cultural differences and their potential impact upon international commerce, Locke offers practical advice for overcoming these differences, and cautions about the dangers of stereotyping countries. He includes useful communication tips concerning the use of language, such as the importance of checking for understanding throughout meetings with others whose native language is not English. The book also covers the differences in legal systems and contracting practices that the international buyer should understand. The author explains how cultural issues will affect both the form and the content of international purchasing agreements.

I found one of the book's real strengths to be its very thorough coverage of foreign exchange issues. Back in the early '80s, I was buying industrial parts from Germany and Italy and was using a French freight forwarder to handle the shipping details. In each case, we had contracted to pay in the seller's currency. Things worked out well, and we generally benefited from these arrangements. I would like to be able to tell you that we did so as part of a carefully crafted plan to manage our financial resources. However, the fact is that we were simply lucky due to the relative strength of the dollar at the time. By agreeing to pay in the sellers' currencies, we had assumed the "exchange risk," a concept that I understand much more fully after having read Locke's book. He dedicates a full seven chapters to foreign exchange issues and does so in such a way-with liberal use of his tests of understanding-as to make the topic understandable to even a nonfinancial manager.

Customs and logistics matters also present their own sets of challenges to the international purchaser. As the book explains, a purchaser does not have to be an expert in these areas to be successful in global supply management. However, buyers do need to know the factors that are involved and be able to communicate with the experts. Three chapters of the book address these issues and give pointers that are designed to minimize the costs as well as the hassles and delays that an inexperienced international buyer might encounter.

The book also provides solid advice on other choices that the international buyer must make, such as: paying the supplier (letters of credit vs. documents against credit vs. credit terms); purchasing channels (international purchasing offices vs. U.S. sales offices of foreign companies vs. buying direct from the factory); and supplier selection and management.

The book concludes with three appendices that give answers to the tests of understanding, provide a supplier survey that can be used in the supplier selection process, and supply buyers' guides containing key information about 14 countries that are, or are about to become, major exporters to the United States.

Locke has managed to pack a wealth of useful information about international purchasing into his book. I highly recommend Global Supply Management to anyone who is, or should be, involved in international purchasing. It is an excellent addition to a purchasing professional's strategic tool kit.

-Brian Caffrey is president of Solutions Consulting Group, a Jackson Heights, N.Y., consulting practice that specializes in re-engineering and continuous improvement of purchasing and supply management processes. Contact him at bcaffrey@solcon.com.

As published in Electornic Buyers' News, CMP Media Inc. June 10, 1996 ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Success through suppliers
The pursuit of knowledge that gives us an understanding of factors that determine success in the market place has always considered "the firm" as the unit of analysis. This has been the case with microeconomics, game theory, competitive strategy and many such specialized areas of research. Cartels that manipulate supply and prices are perhaps an exception to this rule. If, instead of considering the firm as the unit, we consider a group of firms teaming together to collectively provide value to the customer and succeed as a unique identity as a unit of analysis, the methodology to understand competition would undergo a paradigm shift. This book is precisely about this concept as applicable to the automobile industry.

In the early half of the last century it was possible to go to the countryside for a picnic in a Ford Model T car, disassemble and reassemble it with a simple wrench and drive back home in the evening. Today we need computers to diagnose even a simple problem under the hood of cars tailor made to suit individual needs. Given the increase in complexity, explosion of technology and customer preferences, it is impossible for a single firm to ever think of manufacturing even half the components. (River Rouge will be remembered in history as the most ambitious plan of an automotive giant to make all parts of the automobile - including steel and timber from within the company. At best a fairy tale for kids of the twenty first century!).

This book is the summary of an excellent research study of the automobile industry in the 1990's with focus on Toyota and Chrysler. These companies have significantly different "governance structure" (the proportion of parts made in-house, procured from partner firms, and from arms'-length suppliers) from their competitors- GM and Ford. The firms that have a higher proportion of parts that are bought from partner suppliers have a clear edge over competitors that use arm's-length suppliers for the same parts. Extensive data has been collected, analyzed and tested to substantiate the statements made in the text.

Three characteristics that distinguish between partner suppliers from arm's length suppliers- Dedicated asset investments, Knowledge sharing routines and Inter-firm trust form the virtuous triangle that make these partnerships succeed. The results of such partnerships show clearly in tangible terms - Higher profitability per vehicle, better quality, faster time to market, and more new models for customers; the key parameters that enable Toyota and Chrysler to drive at top speed. "It 's not the big that eat the small but it's the fast that eat the slow".

Taking lessons from Toyota, Chrysler adopts concrete programs to consolidate its suppliers, integrate and partner with them to deliver higher value at lower cost to the customer.

Though this research is restricted to the automobile industry, the fundamental principles of "extended enterprise" can be extended across industries.

Highly recommended for all managers and a must read for those working in procurement processes. Next time your supplier drops in, think of this book and start a new relationship.

A Masterpiece
Having followed Dyer's other research, I think that this is a theoretically elegant piece of work. He builds further on his pieces in SMJ (with Singh from Wharton) and AMR and illustrates the concepts of relationship-based assets in firm networks. The running exemplar has he uses (Toyota) illustrates his theoretical arguments quite elonquently. The book also highlights the limitations of his concept of collaborative advantage, and his closing chapter illustrates how cultural differences (here with Benz) can keep this strategy from becoming reality. This book is not for folks looking for cut-out recipies. This book is a MUST for researchers and managers who like to think instead of searching for cookbooks! The concluding chapter is a gem because it highlights our gaps in knowledge. This is an excellent book, and having read Dyer's other works, it's high quality comes as very little surprise. Buy, own, read, reread, and profusely highlight your own copy! VERY highly recommended.

Highly Recomended!
Jeffrey Dyer, an accomplished scholar and management teacher, has developed a cogent and sophisticated theory of extended enterprise management based on a wealth of empirical data from the history of Toyota in Japan and from his six-year study of Chrysler Corp. before its merger with Daimler-Benz. Beyond being a detailed and rigorous case study of the automobile manufacturing industry, Dyer's book presents an extremely valuable model for vertical integration. His model can be applied to other complex product industries, though he is honest about the limits of its applicability. This book provides a clear, effective blueprint for achieving value-chain collaboration. We [...] recommend it to consultants, executives in complex product industries and leaders in firms that supply components or materials. If you always suspected you were part of a greater whole, now you can be sure.
... Read more

Book Description

Did you know there's a way you can reach nearly 95 million potential new customers? Follow the advice of authors Janelle Elms, Michael Bellomo, and Joel Elad and you just might be able to buy that island and retire sooner than you think. Evaluate your business, and discover all the ways it can benefit from eBay. Create an eBay identity and integrate eBay into your existing infrastructure, making it a natural extension of your business. Track and evaluate sales, create new markets, and test new products. You’ll never look at online auctions the same way again. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A book with the good tips.
As a beginner in the field of Purchasing,I found this book very
usefull and full with "gemstones" tips.
The author has alot of experience to share with us,gives us an
ideas what to do,how and why.
My only comment is on the lack of cost analysis examples.

Handy but limited
As a buyer of several years I found that this book addressed the fundamentals of purchasing quite well but is a bit old-fashioned. Obviously, since it came out in 1992, it does not contain any information about on-line buying and the computer section is rather quaint given today's business practices, software choices and skills. I would recommend it to a for an entry-level purchasing assistant or a junior buyer without formal training. I would be very interested in an updated version of this book.

It's a Bullseye!
For anyone facing the duties and responsibilities associated with developing and implementing purchasing procedures, policies, and strategies, this is the book! It is on-point for all issues related to purchasing.

Clear, Concise, and right to the point. I loved it.
For someone who is just beginning in the purchasing field, I found this book very useful. It gets right to the point and the content is easy to read and follow. The book covers many topics in an easy to use Table of Contents guide to find just what you want. I like how it tells you what to do and what not to do and WHY. ... Read more

Book Description

STATISTICS SHOW THAT ONLY 20% OF ALL POTENTIAL BUSINESS BUYERS actually buy a business and only 30% of all business owners who try selling their business actually succeed!The reasons for this vary, but all of the common mistakes of buying and selling a business are covered in this book so that both sellers and business buyers will be 100% successful in their quest.For this book hundreds of successful business owner/sellers, business buyers, and business brokers were interviewed to determine what ingredients are needed to succeed in selling or buying a business.The author, Peter Siegel, has worked with thousands of business buyers, brokers, and owner/sellers both as a business broker and as a consultant, as well as buying small businesses for himself during his early entrepreneur years. This book shares his knowledge on what is needed to be successful in How To Buy or Sell A Small Business! ... Read more

Book Description

An in-depth, eye-opening look at Purchasing in the 21st Century.

This invaluable resource demonstrates how to improve purchasing operations through supplier scheduling and the integration of purchasing with other initiatives such as Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP II), Just-in-Time (JIT), and Total Quality Management (TQM). Along with new material on emerging technologies, vendor managed inventory, and supply chain management, seasoned consultant John E. Schorr offers a solid framework for bettering purchasing systems through a rigorous evaluation of current business structures. Comprehensive and completely up-to-date, Purchasing in the 21st Century, Second Edition provides invaluable insight and advice on:

• Implementing accurate supplier scheduling
• Using MRP II/JIT/TQMto dramatically increase performance of on-time deliveries, to decrease lead times, reduce lot sizes, and achieve an overall cost reduction of purchased materials
• Employing synchronized deliveries in conjunction with a Kanban system
• Selecting the best performance measurements for suppliers.

Filled with helpful examples and case studies of such leading companies as Steelcase and Corning Glass, this is must reading for anyone involved in creating, implementing, and improving purchasing operations.

In order to outperform the competition today, companies must be like finely tuned machines, composed of quality parts that work together both seamlessly and in unison. Until recently, and for most organizations, this wasn't the case when it came to two crucial components: buyers and suppliers. However, with growing attempts to improve operations across the board, this once adversarial relationship is evolving into a more cohesive partnership. In this comprehensive resource, now revised and expanded, author John E. Schorr takes an in-depth look at this important change in perspective, explores techniques currently being implemented to improve performance, and focuses on what's around the corner for Purchasing in the 21st Century.

In the past, buyers and suppliers operated with different sets of numbers, different priorities, and different agendas, resulting in ongoing conflicts, poor service levels, and, perhaps, most obviously, a concerted disadvantage in the marketplace. Realizing that purchasing can be key to seeing significant improvements in operations and competitive capabilities, companies have begun to leverage the role of purchasing to achieve improvements in supplier quality, product delivery, and new product development.

Purchasing in the 21st Century, Second Edition offers practical information on improving purchasing operations. With complete coverage of the tools and techniques needed, the book illustrates how to implement supplier scheduling, as well as carry out purchasing in Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP II), Just-in-Time (JIT), and Total Quality Management (TQM) environments. It also provides essential details on supply chain management and vendor managed inventory, two new concepts being used in purchasing departments around the country.

Perhaps, most significantly, Purchasing in the 21st Century, Second Edition helps you create a sound purchasing operation with a solid framework that includes a rigorous evaluation of current systems. You'll learn to coordinate with your suppliers' production schedules, ensure supplier quality assurance, reduce freight costs, and effectively use electronic data interchange and the Internet. To illustrate how others have altered and refined their purchasing approach, you'll find detailed case studies of such prominent companies as Steelcase and Corning Glass.

Purchasing in the 21st Century, Second Edition gives purchasing executives and their counterparts across the company state-of-the-art guidelines for creating and effectively managing their purchasing operation. A timely examination, this is essential reading for anyone involved in the purchasing process. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Review of a great help book
This is an excellent window to be aware of the importance of integrating purchasing strategies with various business tools such as TQM, JIT, MRP.The author critically analyses trends of management focus and gives suggestions to purchasing personnel to re-allign and improve their performance measures of cost, quality and delivery. As a practising purchase manager, I have been greatly benefited in provoking the thought process of my department personnel to constantly innovate and improve their effectiveness. I have recomended a copy of this book to all libraries of our 17 group companies. I would be delighted if the author and the publishers come out with material on using "change management" by purchase professionals to use tools of ERP and e-commerce and "adjust their sails" to ride the new cutting edge technologies. ... Read more

Book Description

Managing suppliers can contribute enormous savings to a company's bottom line, and few companies have done it better than Nokia. In Profit-Focused Supplier Management, Pirkko Ostring details for the first time the supplier management program that has helped make Nokia the world leader in mobile communications. Drawing from her experience at Nokia, Ostring reveals how to understand and maximize relationships with suppliers to help any company minimize risk and improve profitability in any industry.

Profit-Focused Supplier Management will motivate top management to uncover more information about their suppliers, enable purchasing managers to select better suppliers, and give business controllers a tool for limiting risks and improving their companies' financial standing.

Profit-Focused Supplier Management is the first book written to address suppliers as ongoing business management opportunities. The book uses factual examples from companies including Intel and Marconi that provide an easy and interesting way to adopt the theoretical frameworks into practical formats. Additionally, fictional cases, based on the author's findings, illustrate the importance of in-depth analyses. ... Read more

Book Description

This report on e-procurement and e-sourcing reviews the e-procurement and e-sourcing business issue by elaborating on four primary dimensions.The first dimension reviews e-procurement's business processes and accordingly elaborates on various e-procurement processes including auctions, contract management, transactional procurement, e-marketplaces, e-procurement analytics, collaboration, and RFP based procurement. The second dimension describes e-procurement's business architecture in which the report explains various procurement channels and procurement methods. The third dimension elaborates on e-procurement's technology architecture that sheds light on e-marketplace-centric and buyer centric e-procurement architectures. In this context, the report also reviews supplier systems and their characteristics. Finally, the fourth dimension delineates the various software vendors and their respective e-business solutions for e-procurement and e-sourcing. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good explanation of Ebusiness IT solutions for eProcurement
I have a procurement and supply chain background and found this book to be quite interesting as it provides the technology and Internet face of the procurment and sourcing issues. The report covers a number of technology issues and appropriate eBusiness solutions for most types of procurement. The vendor index and their offerings at the end of the book was good to have. A good book to look into if you are getting into building or enhancing your procurement systems. ... Read more

Book Description

Value-Driven Purchasing shows you how to: master the acquisition process, including determining needs, identifying sources, analyzing bids, administering contracts, inspecting goods, and disposing of unwanted materials; make the best decision on whether to buy, lease, or make needed products; comply with legal and ethical requirements when working with your suppliers: pursuing them, evaluating them, and negotiating with them. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Not For Practitioners
This book is suitable reading for someone reading a course on purchasing. For practitioners looking for real insights into value purchasing, best give this a miss as there are not very much information that is already known. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Every Purchasing Agent should have this!
This book methodically details the duties and responsibiities of purchasing agents as well as the legal ramifications of negotiations, contracts, and performance.It's written in laymen's terms so itsimplifies the complex issues of such agency.Buy it. ... Read more

Book Description

Transport for Tourism provides a novel and stimulating assessment of the effects of tourism travel and the challenge this poses for transport planners, providers and policy makers in the 1990s. Unique in addressing the relationship between transport and tourism at an introductory level, the book covers key topics such as the role of government policy, supply and demand relationships, quality control systems, health and sustainability, and environmental impact. A range of international case studies--including transport in Bermuda, Singapore airways, British airways and Japanese transport systems--provide insight into these issues. The interdisciplinary approach ensures a holistic treatment of this important topic. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

transportation-the foundation of tourism
No one has ever dealed with the connection between transportation and tourism. please remember that transportation is the basis of tourism. page gives a detailed book, with tables, figures and bibliography. a very goodbook! ... Read more