Zycus has added sourcing to its line up for spend analysis and master data management applications. The new
products, iSource and iPlan, part of its Strategic Sourcing suite, are similar to other e-sourcing products on the
market, but with one major difference: the planning process abilities are part of the suite functionality.
The iSource and iPlan modules each offer visibility and collaboration, two of the clear distinctions AMR Research
has noted that demand-driven companies need as they move to be more outside-in facing companies from ones
that are internally focused. The iSource module is similar to other like products, but also includes an intuitive
interface, drag-and-drop features, interactive graphical analysis, and collaboration. The iSource negotiation
engine is based on old B2eMarkets platform technology (formerly owned by Verticalnet) that it acquired six
months ago and that has powered more than 30, 000 events with 9,000 users. It then added RFX authoring and
evaluation that it developed itself. While iSource has some differences from other products, iPlan represents the
true distinct product in the market.
Zycus developed iPlan to put strategic back into sourcing, by automating the sourcing strategy including
planning and development. With a seven-step sourcing process for plan creation, the product is designed to let
users capture and analyze data using built-in tools like commodity profiling, demand aggregation, supply market
analysis, and total cost modeling for effective sourcing plan development. Bringing all of these areas together
can be a daunting task for many companies, and once you add in other knowledge-based assets or the input
from partners and consultants, a streamlined workflow becomes very complex. One multinational consumer
products company using the tool said iPlan has provided major process improvements and visibility to all parties
in the strategic sourcing process.
The bottom line: Strategic sourcing isn’t a quick plan and mere execution. Strategic sourcing, when done right, is
a complex planning process, executed flawlessly, providing a collaborative supply partnership. iSource and iPlan
bridge the current technology gaps in strategic sourcing.
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