Going beyond the knowledge of new technologies – It’s time to act!
linkedin
January 03, 2019
Digital technologies are sweeping the business landscapes, with many labels – digital analytics, automation, Machine Learning, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Industry 4.0, just to name a few. Yet, these technological transformations are not a future vision; they surround and impact us today. Knowing and understanding this development is one thing. Getting your arms around the emerging technologies and thus, creating value is a whole new step, which has become the defining business challenge and competitive advantage of our time. Companies in the McKinsey Global Survey on digital strategy expect a significant risk to their revenues from digitization in the years ahead if they take no action to respond. What’s more, they become vulnerable to those competitors, who adapt successfully. Advanced technologies are essential to modern enterprises, and it’s fair to say that every large company is working with them to some extent.
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Tags: Analytics, Digital Transformation
Artificial intelligence, blockchain poised to reshape procurement
linkedin
December 11, 2018
Traditionally, procurement professionals have dedicated themselves to sourcing, purchasing, contracting and payments. In recent years, though, their role has begun evolving from a tactical emphasis to a strategic one, as digital networks and cloud-based technologies take on many formerly manual processes. Innovations such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and blockchain are transforming the role of procurement and turbocharging the value it delivers.
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Tags: AI, Blockchain, Digital Transformation, Procurement
Artificial Intelligence - How will AI change our world and what rules do we need?
linkedin
December 03, 2018
The smartphone has changed our lives fundamentally. Our professional and private world are more interconnected than ever before. Today, an iPhone already enables the use of and communication with artificial intelligence, such as Siri, Google search or even the automatic alert, at what time you have to leave for the next appointment, taking into account the current traffic situation, are just a few examples. We already carry AI with us every day, for our professional and private lives.
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Tags: AI, Blockchain, Digital Transformation
#DigitalTransformation – Next stop…the future
LinkedIn
November 06, 2018
Procurement organizations are on the brink of change – and the future is bright. In the coming years, they will automate most transactional activities, freeing up resources to focus on strategic efforts that drive value to the business. As a result, the cost to run the function will decrease, while the actual value derived from it will grow.
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Innovation, Procurement
Big Data + Cognitive Technologies = Supply Chain Excellence
linkedin
October 12, 2018
When it comes to getting – and staying ahead in the digitalizing economy, leading companies know they need to think outside the box. And they are embracing new tools to unleash the power of Big Data and power ever greater and sophisticated capabilities across the organization that can take them to new heights.
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Tags: Big Data
Men vs. Machinery – How to ensure ethical AI?
Marcell Vollmer
September 13, 2018
AI is a powerful tool that can be used to construct more intelligent ways of operating. But it can also be used to act in ethical ways that not only lead to doing well, but doing good. To making an impact on our businesses AND the world around us. It’s an incredible opportunity. And as wielders of the power of AI, a responsibility....
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Tags: Digital Transformation
Digital Transformation Ensures Tight Integration between Procurement and the Supply Chain
LinkedIn
August 27, 2018
In a world of disruptions, digitization, shorter innovation cycles and individualized products, companies are focusing on value creation, end-users’ experience and driving digital transformation throughout the entire organization. Supply chain management (SCM) spans the range of processes involving customer demand, sourcing, production and fulfillment with an eye toward creating value by building a competitive infrastructure, leveraging worldwide logistics, matching supply with demand and measuring performance. Procurement entails providing all goods and services needed at every step of the supply chain, including manufacturing.
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Tags: Digital Transformation
Digital Transformation Ensures Tight Integration between Procurement and the Supply Chain
Marcell Vollmer
August 27, 2018
In a world of disruptions, digitization, shorter innovation cycles and individualized products, companies are focusing on value creation, end-users’ experience and driving digital transformation throughout the entire organization. Supply chain management (SCM) spans the range of processes involving customer demand, sourcing, production and fulfillment with an eye toward creating value by building a competitive infrastructure, leveraging worldwide logistics, matching supply with demand and measuring performance. Procurement entails providing all goods and services needed at every step of the supply chain, including manufacturing.
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Procurement, Supply Chain
What is Industry 5.0?
Marcell Vollmer
August 23, 2018
Most companies are still trying to get into the definition and realization of Industry 4.0, but there is already talk about the next industrial revolution: Industry 5.0.
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Tags: Procurement
Predictive Procurement – What are we waiting for?
Marcell Vollmer
August 21, 2018
Predictive analytics is on everyone's lips. However, when you look at the actual usage at companies, you will realize that it does not go beyond a common buzzword. So why do businesses struggle with the actual application of predictive analytics?
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Tags: Procurement, Predictive Analytics
How to Future-Proof Supply Chains
Marcell Vollmer
August 01, 2018
With today's technology, there's no excuse for not innovating and envisioning how to make things better. Innovation knows many different drivers. However, where technology meets innovation is the birthplace of new ideas.
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Tags: AI, Digital Transformation, Supply Chain
What is 'Procurement with Purpose'?
Marcell Vollmer
July 29, 2018
“Purpose” is no longer something that’s nice to have for any business; it has become a must-have strategic imperative that should be high on every company’s agenda if they want to be perceived as relevant, admired, and innovative by their customers, employees, investors, partners, communities, and public entities. Consumers demanding full transparency on the provenance of goods and services they are buying.
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Social, Sustainability, Procurement
Painting the picture of intelligent procurement
Marcell Vollmer
July 02, 2018
For those of you who have had the fortune of visiting Istanbul’s grand bazaar, you are familiar with its buzz and excitement. For those that haven’t, let me paint a picture. Imagine walking through gates into a hive of excitement, exchange, and commerce.
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Tags: AI, Innovation, Procurement
Aided by digital transformation, the Chief Procurement Officer stands poised to become the Chief Purpose Officer
Marcell Vollmer
June 18, 2018
How does a chief procurement officer measure success?
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Tags: AI, Digital Transformation, Procurement
Procurement Goes Big with Data
Marcell Vollmer
June 13, 2018
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Tags: Big Data, Procurement
Procurement Goes Big with Data
LinkedIn
June 13, 2018
Information is the new global currency. It promises to reshape procurement and the way that buying and selling gets done.
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Tags: Big Data, Procurement
Procurement’s AI Evolution Is More Human Than We Think
LinkedIn
June 12, 2018
It seems that there is always a study or analyst op-ed that warns us of the jobs that will be overtaken by artificial intelligence (AI). Oxford University predicted that nearly half of all positions will likely be automated by 2033.
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Procurement
Artificial intelligence and Machine Learning Change the Game for Procurement
Marcell Vollmer
June 11, 2018
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Tags: AI, Procurement
Artificial intelligence and Machine Learning Change the Game for Procurement
LinkedIn
June 11, 2018
Artificial intelligence, machine learning and deep learning are everywhere, and they are ushering in momentous change, altering the way we shop for and consume goods and services in our personal lives.
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Tags: Procurement
When Ignorance becomes a Risk
Marcell Vollmer
June 02, 2018
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Tags: Innovation, Procurement
When Ignorance becomes a Risk
LinkedIn
June 02, 2018
Companies today are exposed to an environment that is characterized by increasing complexity and thus by a clear risk reduction. Product, market and technology cycles are becoming shorter and shorter, resulting in significantly reduced time-to-market times and high pressure on return on investment (ROI). Procurement plays a decisive role in the generation of competitive advantages, and it is also confronted with many different risks.
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Tags: Procurement
Will Procurement and Digital Manufacturing become one?
Marcell Vollmer
May 24, 2018
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Tags: Procurement, Supply Chain
Will Procurement and Digital Manufacturing become one?
LinkedIn
May 24, 2018
Can a cracked smartphone shed light on the convergence of procurement networks and digital manufacturing?
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Tags: Procurement
Business Happens When Supply meets Demand - How will the future of Buying look like?
Marcell Vollmer
May 06, 2018
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Tags: Procurement, Supply Chain
Business Happens When Supply meets Demand - How will the future of Buying look like?
LinkedIn
May 06, 2018
Wikipedia describes business as any activity of making one's living or making money by producing or buying and selling goods or services. It could be a company, corporation, partnership or any other formal entity, ranging from a street peddler to Apple, Coco-Cola or popular brands of the sharing economy.
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Tags: Procurement
What is a “Digital Twin” and how can Business Network collaboration accelerate?
Marcell Vollmer
May 01, 2018
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Tags: Big Data, IoT, Supply Chain
What is a “Digital Twin” and how can Business Network collaboration accelerate?
LinkedIn
May 01, 2018
The concept of a Digital Twin moves manufacturers and operators closer to the ultimate goal of
- selling outcomes(results)
- instead of products (machines)
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Procurement
How to deliver value with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning - watch this video
LinkedIn
April 19, 2018
Watch this video and get a real use case how machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) work. Have you ever asked yourself, how to measure marketing spend and how often your ads are really recognized by people watching TV?
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Tags: AI, Digital Transformation
CPO Survey 2018 - Digital Procurement Takes Flight
LinkedIn
April 10, 2018
For the last 20 years, procurement has slowly been transforming from a tactical, manual process to a strategic digital function. But things are about to take off. According to the results of a new global survey, leading procurement organizations see digitization as the future.
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Tags: Procurement
How to fight Human Trafficking?
LinkedIn
April 09, 2018
What’s the difference between a wildly successful business that builds momentum and grows year over year or one that fizzles out within a year or two? If you say lack of profits or financial funding, you only understand a tiny part of the answer.
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Tags: Social, Supply Chain
How to succeed with digital transformation of procurement and the supply chain?
LinkedIn
April 07, 2018
From cloud computing and robotics to drones and self-driving cars, it seems as though the entire business world has embraced digital technologies.
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Supply Chain, Procurement
How to make it simple to explain AI, ML, DL and Data Science?
LinkedIn
March 24, 2018
Even the most complex topics can be segregated in easy to consume buckets. Let me try to explain them and let's start with the evolution:
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Tags: AI, Digital Transformation
Artificial Intelligence: What’s Now and Next in IoT-Driven Supply Chain Innovation
LinkedIn
March 22, 2018
Like most people, coffee is one of the most important rituals in my morning routine. There’s something about the aroma and taste that kick-starts my ability to have a great day. So imagine my surprise when I found out that a favorite coffee shop was closed before I had to jump on an early-morning flight home.
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Tags: AI, Innovation, Supply Chain
What does the future hold for technology? Some movies have been surprisingly accurate!
LinkedIn
March 16, 2018
Adjusting current business models to capitalize on trends in technology is essential for any company to survive. Many of today’s market leaders, from Google and Apple to eBay and Alibaba, deliver technologies that could only have been dreamt of years ago.
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Tags: Digital Transformation
Will there be a procurement function in 2025?
LinkedIn
March 11, 2018
There are those who believe that robots, artificial intelligence and machine learning will eventually replace it. I am personally not among them. Commerce is, after all, a social function driven by business partners. Technology will make business more personal, contextual, intelligent and efficient in the years ahead.
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Procurement
Going digital? Key factors to consider when evaluating software solutions
LinkedIn
February 26, 2018
As previously discrete procurement activities converge onto unified, cloud-based networks — tying together sourcing, purchasing, payment and contract-management functions — many professionals in the field are no longer asking when or whether to embrace such systems, but which ones?
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Procurement
How will Blockchain impact Procurement and Supply Chain?
LinkedIn
February 22, 2018
Blockchain is a very fast emerging technology mainly used in the financial services industry and mostly known for Bitcoins or crypto currencies. Blockchain might disrupt entire industry as well as core processes in companies, incl. finance, procurement and supply chain.
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Tags: Blockchain, Supply Chain, Procurement
Will Machine Learning Save Procurement Millions a Year?
LinkedIn
February 14, 2018
When it comes to automating processes, procurement organizations are no slouches. Long ago, chief procurement officers automated administration, payroll processing, material-resource needs calculation, invoice generation, and material flow tracking.
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Procurement
Procurement 2018 in a Word: Intelligent
LinkedIn
November 10, 2017
What might change for Procurement and Supply Chain in 2018? After attending the latest procurement conferences, reading reports from advisory and consulting companies as well as speaking to leading analysts some trends can be summarized with Procurement is going digital, getting smarter and driving change.
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Procurement
Big Data in Procurement: Large amounts of data bring great potential for procurement & supply chain
LinkedIn
October 30, 2017
After years of technological innovation and the massive IT investment in recent years, businesses are now sitting on a mountain of data. This unmanageable mass of unstructured data on production, marketing, sales, HR, finance and operations, as well as many other internal processes, is complemented by transaction data for suppliers, customers and partners
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Tags: Big Data, Digital Transformation, Procurement
The Journey to Value for Procurement and Supply Chain
LinkedIn
October 08, 2017
Earning – indeed deserving – a seat at the strategy table has long been the cornerstone of business value creation. Procurement is at its best when it is brought in early and can help drive markets to meet demand. Relevance requires presence, and presence demands a unique contribution.
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Tags: Supply Chain, Procurement
Big Data and Procurement
LinkedIn
September 04, 2017
The amount of data is exploding - approx. 90% of the data that exists in the world today was created in the last two years alone. Procurement systems capture a vast amount of data, including sourcing information, weather reports, manufacturing and delivery data, supplier data, purchasing data, catalogue data, and more.
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Tags: Big Data, Procurement
The digital transformation journey of Procurement – one prediction?
LinkedIn
July 14, 2017
Digital transformation remains a top priority for C-level executives, but more and more also for all lines of businesses, like procurement. How will digitalization impact the procurement function and how to adapt technology trends, such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Internet of Things/Industry 4.0 and Big Data with Predicative Analytics for business networks?
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Procurement
What is the Digital Economy?
LinkedIn
July 08, 2017
What is the impact for Procurement and Supply Chain in the Digital World?
Top disruptive digital trends in technology
hyper-connectivity,
super computing,
cloud computing,
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Supply Chain, Procurement
Robotic Process Automation (RPA): Procurement’s Next Big Thing or Next Big Hype?
LinkedIn
May 25, 2017
There are two schools of thought when it comes to robots and automation in the workplace: Some people warn of soaring unemployment rates, and others foresee a future workforce of more productive, engaged, and motivated talent.
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Procurement
The Future of Procurement in a Word: Intelligent
LinkedIn
May 18, 2017
The digitization of business is taking hold. From machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to blockchain, cloud and networks, digital technologies are opening the door to new, more efficient and intelligent ways of operating. And nowhere is this more evident than in procurement.
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Procurement
Predicting the Future with Procurement - Conclusion of the CPO Survey 2017
LinkedIn
April 19, 2017
The world has gone digital. We are more connected and do things in faster, more efficient, intelligent and productive ways than ever. And not just in our personal lives. Digitalization is presenting new opportunities for businesses to predict and respond more effectively to customer and market demands
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Procurement
Procurement Goes Digital. Driven by new technologies, insights and talent, the function becomes more efficient and strategic than ever
LinkedIn
April 11, 2017
To understand the priorities and challenges that global companies are facing on their path to become digital, SAP Ariba, in cooperation with the University of Applied Science Würzburg/Schweinfurt, conducted a global survey amongst 650 leaders in procurement, finance and supply chain functions from organisations in North America and Europe between December 2016 and February 2017
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Procurement
Predicting the Future with Procurement
LinkedIn
April 10, 2017
For years, companies have been collecting and analyzing massive amounts of information - everything from structured data on production, marketing, sales, HR, finance, facilities and operations to transaction-level data on suppliers, customers and partners. But big data is changing the game.
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Procurement
Digital Road to 2020: Why Business Networks Are More Than Technology
LinkedIn
March 02, 2017
If we reflect on the volume of changes over the last couple decades, it becomes apparent that the desire to increase business and process efficiency is a primary driver. The evolution of new technology is simply an enabler, starting with a singular approach through innovations (such as smartphones, tablets, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems) and later elevated into new business models realized by the likes of Uber and Airbnb.
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Tags: Digital Transformation
Procurement and Gender Diversity: Building Leadership That Matters
LinkedIn
February 23, 2017
Procurement is often viewed as a numbers game. A delicate mix of costs, vendor performance ratings, and operational efficiencies is calculated and used to meet the precise needs of the corporate strategy. However, math alone does not forge the best supplier relationships.
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Procurement, Leadership
A Real-Life Case of How will 'Internet of Things'? (IoT) change Procurement in the future?
LinkedIn
February 16, 2017
Everybody talks about how disruptive trends, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), is impacting supply chains and procurement processes. However, the real discussion is how these two areas of the business can realize new levels of efficiency with this technology.
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Tags: IoT
Are Business Networks the future?
LinkedIn
February 12, 2017
More than twenty years ago, the idea that the Internet was a viable tool for business was largely viewed as a crazy idea. 2017, few companies can imagine doing things any other way. Business Networks aren’t just connecting buyers and suppliers to collaborate around commerce, they’re actually creating it.
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Tags: Digital Transformation
Millennials Getting Into Tech - Are they woefully misunderstood?
LinkedIn
February 06, 2017
Different Strokes: Don’t Paint Millennials with a Broad Brush
“I’m just a soul whose intentions are good/Oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood” - Eric Burdon & The Animals
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Tags: Digital Transformation
How prepared are your Organization for any Supply Chain Disruptions?
LinkedIn
February 01, 2017
Driven by demand for lower manufacturing costs and access to specialist capabilities and technologies, most supply-chain operations rely on a complex mix of large and small businesses.
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Supply Chain
Erfolgreiche Führung von Shared Services
LinkedIn
December 26, 2016
Ich freue mich, dass wir nach Gründung des Arbeitskreises Shared Services der Schmalenbach-Gesellschaft im Jahr 2011 nach harter Arbeit in diesem Jahr die zusammenfassende Publikation herausgeben können: "Erfolgreiche Führung von Shared Services"
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Tags: Digital Transformation
Work SMARTER in Procurement, not harder (but also much FASTER)
LinkedIn
December 21, 2016
SAP Ariba just hit a major milestone for our industry and it will definitely transform your business processes beyond anything else imaginable!
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Procurement
Procurement Without Bias: Taking Supplier Diversity Beyond A Spending Goal
LinkedIn
December 04, 2016
Supplier diversity is quickly evolving from a corporate social responsibility initiative to a strategic enabler. Increasingly, companies are realizing the competitive potential of supplier diversity programs – from greater market share among emerging customer segments and stronger stock performance to faster innovation cycles and entry into untapped markets. In fact, according to DiversityInc.’s 2016 ranking, many of the world’s largest companies – including Accenture, AT&T, and Walmart – are heavily investing in the power of minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, LGBT-owned, and SBA-defined small-business vendors.
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Procurement
What does the coffee market teach us about procurement's future?
LinkedIn
November 26, 2016
Procurement has gone digital and there’s no turning back. Our digital way of life is reinventing how business is done, from operational processes to customer engagement. Look as far as the local coffee shop.
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Procurement
‘Predictive Procurement’ - How Big Data will Change the Game
LinkedIn
November 16, 2016
The act of collecting and analyzing data isn’t new for years, companies have been amassing large quantities of information - everything from structured data on production, marketing, sales, HR, finance, facilities and operations to transaction-level data on suppliers, customers and partners.
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Procurement
Business Networks: What a Difference Two Decades Makes
LinkedIn
October 24, 2016
Twenty years ago, the idea that the Internet was a viable tool for business was largely viewed as a joke. Today, few companies can imagine doing things any other way. Business networks aren’t just connecting buyers and suppliers to collaborate around commerce, they’re actually creating it.
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Tags: Digital Transformation
Future of Procurement - People are our most valuable asset
LinkedIn
September 14, 2016
A digital transformation is taking hold around the world, and new business models are transforming entire industries. Uber and Didicar, for instance, disrupting the taxi business with a totally new way of hailing rides - and now driverless cars. Airbnb is upending the accommodation industry by offering millions of beds globally.
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Procurement
The Future of Procurement – What to do today?
LinkedIn
July 25, 2016
In my first article The Future of Procurement - One Perspective I discussed how procurement goes digital and concluded that the CPO might evolve to a Chief Value Officer to create impact and drive measurable value for a company.
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Procurement
The Future of Procurement - One Perspective
LinkedIn
June 23, 2016
Disruptive trends in technology are changing the function as we know it today. Procurement is fast evolving into a more strategic and value generating function. This blog is designed to spark a lively discussion among those who are driving this transition about where things are headed.
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Tags: Digital Transformation, Procurement
EMEA Shared Services Survey in cooperation with the School of Management and Innovation (Steinbeis-University Berlin)
Marcell Vollmer
November 01, 2007
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Tags: Innovation, Management
Shared Services Organization. Future Trends: Multi-function and Automation
Vollmer, M./ Neukirchen, R./ Fischer, B.
July 01, 2007
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Tags: Innovation, IoT
Controlling Toolbox for successful Change Management
Neuenkirchen, R./ Vollmer, M.
February 01, 2007
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Tags: Innovation, Management
Erfolgreiche Führung von Shared Services
Die Auswirkung einer Post-Merger-Integration auf die Interaktionsbeziehung zwischen Geschäftsleitung und Betriebsrat. Eine Fallstudie am Beispiel der Integration zweier Unternehmen in einen Konzern
Digital Ambassador for SAP
On Becoming a CPO and Procurement Transformation at SAP: An Interview with Dr. Marcell Vollmer (Part 1)
Procurement 2025
How will disruptive technologies change the future?