Tips for implementing i-Sourcing and -i-Supplier

Dear Friends,

These steps are created by me by my own experience, tips for implementation!

First go through all the functionalities available within the i-Sourcing and i-Supplier functionality and then decide what you can show up to the client as you already know your client business, never describe any functionality which will not be used by the client even though it may any simple one.
Try to give only the most required functionalities to the client!
The basic and most important functionalities are,
1. Auto Creating RFQ from Requisition.
2. Amending a RFQ

3. Playing with control functionality for RFQ
a. Register suppliers in i-Supplier, Its better you can send them a word document asking for their details and once they respond back you can register them from your side in oracle rather giving them an online link to directly register with you; this will bring lot of complications in registering process.
b. Then and there check for pending supplier approval and approve the suppliers you have qualified to let them take part in i-Sourcing.

4. Communicatting a RFQ to client through e-mail
5. Try to have on-line discussions with the supplier
6. Receive online quotations through mail from Registered Supplier’s
7. Award appropriate suppliers with the contract (Initially do not play with the score functionality)
8. Create Purchase Order from the awarded quote and get the approval for further procurement process.

These are the minimal process and most required process for any company who has implemented i-Sourcing and i-Supplier. Still there are lot of other useful functionalities available within the i-Sourcing and i-Supplier module, its better for any consultant to go with these basic steps. Once when the Key users and Key Suppliers are ok with the i-Sourcing basic functionality, then you can proceed with teaching them other functionality like

• Negotiation Configuration
• Reusable Attribute Lists
• Price Factors and Reusable Price Factor Lists
• Reusable Invitation Lists
• Negotiation Templates
• Tender From Approved List of Suppliers
• Major Tendering Process
• Reverse Auction

Too many functionalities thought to the client at the beginning stage will complicate the training process, implementation process and project phase as the users were using some other system for a long time and when they are comfortable using that system we are trying to introduce a expensive product which users are aware already, So they want the new expensive system to work very smoothly and it should be ease of their use. So it’s better for any experienced consultant to start with the minimal functionality and if required you can go with the others. In some case its better you even don’t explain them these other extra functionalities are available because client will start to confuse if I am not aware of this now then when will I and who will teach all these functionalities and they will ask you to teach all the available functionalities that will complicate everything and will make you life miserable.

To stay happy and leave others happy sometimes you need to take un-ethical decisions.

Thanks & Regards,
S.Grace Paul Regan
965(66382159)