Global Sourcing and Logistics

Capabilities assessment tool
A structured way to better understand 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 and 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
and 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 and brand
image risk.
Total cost of ownership model:
The "should cost" model
Understanding 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 and
evaluates the base line—including the
percentage of raw materials, labor,
transportation, energy cost, customs
duties, taxes and 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 and 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, and so forth. We
utilize our country profiles asset to help
clients map out the most suitable country
for required categories and achieve speed
to benefit.
Risk assessment tool
Managing risk is a critical aspect of a
successful sourcing and 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 and control
of the risks.
Category workbooks
Our category workbooks contain key supply
market information, total cost models,
value drivers and successful sourcing
strategies, enabling our sourcing teams to
rapidly drive sourcing projects. Our
category workbooks are developed and
updated by subject-matter experts who
have successfully sourced the categories,
so that the information is relevant and
ready to use.
China and India supplier
databases
Our databases give you access to more
than 50,000 qualified suppliers in all
industries. Accenture has invested
considerable time and effort in locating,
contacting and interviewing companies to
ascertain core information about their
organization—including their parent
company, key customers, profile of their
customers, quality assurance certifications,
and so forth—as well as ensuring we have
an up-to-date contact name to ensure
speedy access to these suppliers.
eSourcing platforms
Accenture works with a number of key
suppliers in the eSourcing 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 eSourcing tools is bigger
in this environment than in others as it
enables collaboration between engineering,
purchasing (corporate and offshore)
and suppliers.
Supplier audit profiles
Accenture is able to conduct a quality audit
with any supplier, anywhere. We have
conducted numerous audits and
constructed a database to house the details
of all audited suppliers. We are fully
conversant in the quality standards
required when undertaking the audit,
taking into account the diverse industries
and appropriate versions of
ISO 9000 required.
Testing and homologation
We have the capability to manage product
testing, including initial sample tests, and
homologation processes by involving our
alliance partners in low-cost countries.
Global logistics assets
Accenture leverages our supply chain
practice and strategic relationships with
global trade management vendors to offer
our clients landed cost modeling solutions,
supply chain event management
capabilities, customs and governmental
compliance and documentation programs,
network optimization modeling, as well as
order management and 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 and performance
improvement and 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 and responsibilities and
can accurately address companies' supply
chain needs. Accenture's Supply Chain
Academy delivers better procurement
training in less time and at lower costs
than traditional training. The academy's
mission is to empower procurement and
supply chain professionals by equipping
them with targeted education and training.
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