The Source
A blog on all things Supply Chain and our vision for the future of Procurement.
Healthcare Procurement 101: Common Procurement Categories
3 mins read
3/26/2024
Efficient healthcare procurement is essential for acquiring vital products, supplies, and services necessary for patient care.…Unlocking the Potential of Supplier Diversity: A Business Imperative
4 mins read
3/26/2024
At its core, supplier diversity refers to a business strategy that ensures a diverse supplier base in the procurement of goods and services…3 Steps for Supply Chain Success
2 mins read
3/26/2024
We present a strategic three-step guide designed to fortify your supply chain against unforeseen challenges…Procurement Categories for Chemical Manufacturers: A Brief Guide
6 mins read
3/8/2024
From sourcing raw materials to ensuring compliance with safety regulations, procurement professionals in the chemical industry face a myriad of challenges and opportunities…Indirect Procurement for Dummies
5 mins read
3/8/2024
Indirect procurement is the company's silent powerhouse, working behind the scenes…Predictive Procurement: Is It a Fad?
3 mins read
3/8/2024
Predictive procurement, while promising significant benefits, encounters formidable challenges that demand strategic attention and proactive solutions…What is an RFX: RFP vs RFI vs RFQ
2 mins read
3/1/2024
In the procurement world, RFX stands for 'request for X', where 'X' can represent a variety of requests - from proposals (RFP) to quotations (RFQ) to information (RFI), and more…Procurement Analytics Explained
3 mins read
2/29/2024
Procurement analytics — a powerful toolset that empowers organizations to gain insights, optimize processes, and make data-driven decisions across the procurement lifecycle…Automotive Procurement 101: OEM Categories
4 mins read
2/21/2024
Understanding the key procurement categories in this industry is crucial for streamlining supply chains, reducing costs, and maintaining quality standards.What is BOM Cost Management?
3 mins read
2/20/2024
Structuring a BOM is useful not only for procurement and production planning, but also for keeping a firm grip on inventory management and cost estimation…What is New Product Introduction (NPI)?
4 mins read
2/20/2024
NPI ensures that new products don’t just meet design standards but are also practical for mass production…What is the Current Penetration of Sourcing Software?
2 mins read
2/15/2024
In today's rapidly evolving business environment, the adoption of sourcing software has become a critical factor in maintaining competitive advantage…Sourcing Software's most valuable integrations
3 mins read
2/15/2024
Integrating different software systems is all about making them work together smoothly and more effectively. For sourcing software, integrations mean that different systems can share data, talk to each other, and work as a team…Iterative RFPs: Evolving Procurement Processes
4 mins read
2/14/2024
By embracing an iterative approach to RFP management, companies can stay ahead in a rapidly changing business landscape…Unlocking efficiency and value with Advanced Sourcing Software
2 mins read
1/31/2024
In today's competitive business landscape, where efficiency and cost-effectiveness are paramount, strategic sourcing emerges as a critical process…A Perfect Marriage: PLM & e-Sourcing aka. BOM cost management
2 mins read
2/14/2023
Given this post goes live on Valentine's Day, let's talk relationships. There are a lot of ups and downs in relationships. Couples try to…Indirect Procurement - The Underdog
3 mins read
2/6/2023
Indirect procurement is underloved in the sourcing world. Direct is big spend, highly-strategic, and ... sexy -- if you can call it that. By…Does Ease-of-Use Matter in Sourcing Tech?
3 mins read
1/23/2023
When my dog was sick, the vet prescribed her some medication. We were instructed to mix the pills in with her food every night. The only…How can procurement professionals maximize benefits of e-sourcing software
1 mins read
1/13/2023
There are a few key ways in which procurement professionals can maximize the benefits of e-sourcing software: Use the software to automate…White Paper: Inflation Gate
5 mins read
12/5/2022
PDF version No – there isn’t a silver bullet, but in this article we detail a few approaches our customers have used to achieve impact…How to Build a Car
4 mins read
11/1/2021
"Working at Tesla is the hardest job you're ever going to have." This is the kind of thing I heard all the time from tenured employees when…What is Supply Chain?
4 mins read
11/1/2021
While there is no single definition, this felt like a pretty good one: The overly simplistic view of "supply chain" is it's just the flow…What's the difference between Direct and Indirect Procurement?
3 mins read
10/31/2021
TLDR: Direct Procurement: things a company buys to put into a product it sells to customer Indirect Procurement: things a company buys to…Supplier Partnership Hierarchy
5 mins read
10/18/2021
Everybody knows the old adage: "You are what you eat." The same is true for supply chain. If your suppliers are unhealthy, your business is…Incoterms: A Complete Guide
9 mins read
10/16/2021
Let's say you're a buyer, and just found a great seller, negotiated a price, and shook hands. Success! Now what? "Are you going to ship? Or…Should-Cost Modeling Changes the Game
7 mins read
10/16/2021
Have you heard of "3-Bids and a Buy"? It's a simple and classic approach to purchasing. It's quick and gets stuff done. A procurement…Why procurement matters more than sales
4 mins read
10/14/2021
Procurement doesn't usually get the credit it deserves. Sales gets all the glory. When a sales person closes a new contract, it's high-fives…The Third Wave of SaaS
3 mins read
10/12/2021
This post is extremely short, and captures a simple trend in software while explaining why LightSource feels like such magic. There are…A cultural double-standard in Supply Chain
1 mins read
10/8/2021
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from this year it’s: Supply Chain is hard. Indeed, we’d make the argument that supply chain management is…What is LightSource?
2 mins read
10/4/2021
Our mission At LightSource, our mission is to “illuminate the global supply chain”. To achieve this vision, we build software to help…