The art of procuring logistics and supply chain software

Welcome to Descartes’ Fleet Connections newsletter, this month we take a look at how difficult it can be to select and procure logistics and supply chain software.

Procuring any kind of logistics software can be a complex process, with several challenges and potential risks to overcome:

• Overwhelming Market: There are many vendors and solutions to choose from making it difficult to identify the best options for your specific needs.
• Vendor Selection: Choosing the right software vendor requires careful evaluation of their expertise, reputation, and alignment with your business goals.
• RFI & RFP Process: Creating a comprehensive RFI and RFP can be time-consuming and assumes you know the exact requirements of what is required and what all vendors could offer.
• Software Evaluation: Assessing different software solutions against your requirements and selecting the best fit is challenging and time-consuming. Comparing solution against solution and selecting the best vendor can often be difficult.
• Implementation Challenges: Integrating new software with existing systems and training employees takes time and may be disruptive. Selecting the right vendor who can ease this process is important.
• Cost Considerations: Balancing the cost of the software with its potential benefits is a must, but so is taking the opportunity to increase that ROI where possible.

By understanding these challenges and approaching the procurement process strategically, businesses can increase their chances of selecting the right logistics software and realising its full potential and benefits.

To aid this process and help better inform procurement teams Descartes recently held a webinar in association with Logistics Business website, and Phil Turton*, owner of Viewpoint Analysis titled Logistics Software – Beyond the RFI & RFP. The art of mastering logistics software selection and procurement.

The webinar covered;

• How to best assess the market
• How to better collaborate with vendors
• How to run an effective RFP and RFI process
• How to score and select the ideal software and vendor
• How to ensure successful implementation of the software and increase return on investment.

Watch the recording now to be better prepared for future logistics software purchases.

*Phil Turton is the owner of Viewpoint Analysis Ltd, the Technology Matchmakers. After more than 20 years working in sales for some of the world's largest IT vendors (SAP, HP, Informatica), he now helps business leaders quickly find and select enterprise technology and shares how to best work with the technology vendor community.

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