18 Tools <strong>and</strong> assets Accenture professionals work with you, leveraging our tailored sourcing <strong>and</strong> logistics assets.
Capabilities assessment tool A structured way to better underst<strong>and</strong> a company's operational model, the capabilities assessment tool helps prioritize the actions required to develop efficient low-cost country sourcing activities. Based on a short questionnaire, the tool evaluates important sourcing capability aspects <strong>and</strong> provides insight into areas such as maturity level placement, actual barriers to low-cost country sourcing versus actual capabilities, a benchmark against Accenture's cross industry survey <strong>and</strong> recommendations for the prioritization of actions. Low-cost country suitability model We built our suitability model as a tool to help assess the suitability of individual product or component categories for lowcost country sourcing. Key assessment criteria include lead-time requirements, technical complexity, "switch over" complexity, tooling cost, transportability, intellectual property rights <strong>and</strong> br<strong>and</strong> image risk. Total cost of ownership model: The "should cost" model Underst<strong>and</strong>ing what the total cost for a certain category or product should be by sourcing it from various countries is one of the primary inputs to a strategic sourcing plan. Accenture has developed a modeling tool that breaks down the total cost <strong>and</strong> evaluates the base line—including the percentage of raw materials, labor, transportation, energy cost, customs duties, taxes <strong>and</strong> profit that was used—to arrive at a total cost of ownership amount. This cost structure can then be projected into several different countries using the Accenture tool, showing how each cost element might increase or decrease, depending on the chosen sourcing country. The statistics contained in this single, powerful information resource enable clients to clearly see what savings can be achieved across several low-cost countries, helping them to better target their sourcing regions. With the ability to compare a range of savings, as well as categories of sourcing, clients can more easily prioritize <strong>and</strong> define the content of a clear sourcing program. Country profiles Accenture teams in each low-cost country have also developed a country-specific profile that includes such details as macroeconomic data, geographic specifics, infrastructural maturity, core import or export data, key local industries, logistics costs, government policy, <strong>and</strong> so forth. We utilize our country profiles asset to help clients map out the most suitable country for required categories <strong>and</strong> achieve speed to benefit. Risk assessment tool Managing risk is a critical aspect of a successful sourcing <strong>and</strong> logistics strategy. A longer supply chain implies additional risks that have to be taken into account to build adequate contingency plans. Accenture has developed a complete risk assessment methodology that allows the identification, the monitoring <strong>and</strong> control of the risks. Category workbooks Our category workbooks contain key supply market information, total cost models, value drivers <strong>and</strong> successful sourcing strategies, enabling our sourcing teams to rapidly drive sourcing projects. Our category workbooks are developed <strong>and</strong> updated by subject-matter experts who have successfully sourced the categories, so that the information is relevant <strong>and</strong> ready to use. China <strong>and</strong> India supplier databases Our databases give you access to more than 50,000 qualified suppliers in all industries. Accenture has invested considerable time <strong>and</strong> effort in locating, contacting <strong>and</strong> interviewing companies to ascertain core information about their organization—including their parent company, key customers, profile of their customers, quality assurance certifications, <strong>and</strong> so forth—as well as ensuring we have an up-to-date contact name to ensure speedy access to these suppliers. e<strong>Sourcing</strong> platforms Accenture works with a number of key suppliers in the e<strong>Sourcing</strong> market in order to enable the sourcing process. The global sourcing process involves many different parties in different places of the world so the value of the e<strong>Sourcing</strong> tools is bigger in this environment than in others as it enables collaboration between engineering, purchasing (corporate <strong>and</strong> offshore) <strong>and</strong> suppliers. Supplier audit profiles Accenture is able to conduct a quality audit with any supplier, anywhere. We have conducted numerous audits <strong>and</strong> constructed a database to house the details of all audited suppliers. We are fully conversant in the quality st<strong>and</strong>ards required when undertaking the audit, taking into account the diverse industries <strong>and</strong> appropriate versions of ISO 9000 required. Testing <strong>and</strong> homologation We have the capability to manage product testing, including initial sample tests, <strong>and</strong> homologation processes by involving our alliance partners in low-cost countries. <strong>Global</strong> logistics assets Accenture leverages our supply chain practice <strong>and</strong> strategic relationships with global trade management vendors to offer our clients l<strong>and</strong>ed cost modeling solutions, supply chain event management capabilities, customs <strong>and</strong> governmental compliance <strong>and</strong> documentation programs, network optimization modeling, as well as order management <strong>and</strong> customer relationship management competencies. Supplier development methodology Local suppliers usually need to improve their quality, productivity or reliability so there is a need for companies to develop their suppliers to world-class capabilities. Accenture has extensive experience in lean manufacturing <strong>and</strong> performance improvement <strong>and</strong> has developed a complete set of methods that enable companies to work with suppliers to get sustainable improvement. Accenture Supply Chain Academy To ensure rapid capability development, we can also leverage the Accenture Supply Chain Academy, a complete online supply chain university. The Accenture Supply Chain Academy is aligned with procurement roles <strong>and</strong> responsibilities <strong>and</strong> can accurately address companies' supply chain needs. Accenture's Supply Chain Academy delivers better procurement training in less time <strong>and</strong> at lower costs than traditional training. The academy's mission is to empower procurement <strong>and</strong> supply chain professionals by equipping them with targeted education <strong>and</strong> training. 19
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