My domain name.
Who are you?
Dan Burr, Cost Efficiency Consultant, Chief Operating Officer, author of Quicknex.
Where are you located?
Relocated from California to Maine.
Are you a broker?
No. Brokers usually have preferred trading partners, and offer speed for a markup price. Their service is popular with generic off-the-shelf components.
Is there any markup or commission?
No, not with me. The price or total cost bid is strictly between you the client and the source.
What exactly do you supply?
I supply the strategic sourcing service which generates quotes. Quotes are sent directly from the source to you via phone, FAX, e-mail, snail mail, or in person.
What do you need from us?
I need three pieces of information from you. Technical specifications, procurement schedule, and vendor qualifications. These areas of inquiry are the same for all items and services including custom made. That information is provided to me when you forward an Item Profile.
What can you do that we can not?
I help optimize your tactics of supply chain management, benchmarking, centralized buying, Six Sigma, ISO, and old fashion leverage from a more strategic perspective. I direct the sourcing data to you quickly so you can make the most informed decision.
Who is this data shared with?
The RFQ appears to be directly from you with your company name. So the response is directed back to you. In some cases, the original source may not contact you, but a representative third party may get in touch with you instead.
How do we get this data?
Direct response from the source or perhaps a manufacturer’s representative, via phone FAX, e-mail, snail mail, or in person.
Why bother with strategic sourcing?
Reduce cycle time. Improve quality. Save $M.
Who can benefit from strategic sourcing?
Buyers, planners, engineers, hobbyists, managers, and the business bottom line.
What is the scope of the service?
As the team center for strategic sourcing excellence, my program fits well among buyers, planners, engineers, and managers for technology manufacturers. The process is effective for virtually all outsourced commodities and services. From prototype to production. Single items to entire commodity groups. Periodic purchases to capital investments. Total cost improvement results are most dramatic among custom subassemblies like machine parts, printed circuit boards, cable assemblies, instruments, equipment, custom molding, etc.
What about classified widget blueprints?
All parts and services require at least one step from you: forward me the completed Item Profile. Custom items require a second step from you. The direct response from interested sources will be asking you for the files, blueprints, schematics, programs, etc. Your policy may require a non-disclosure agreement before you forward that information to them.
What is team center?
I am the centralized resource for buyers, planners, engineers, and managers. This way an organization won’t have skilled individuals duplicating their efforts in the race against time. Every one can be in synch with the same source.
Who actually does the sourcing?
A personally developed real-time system contacts qualified sources. A proprietary database is continuously updated.
How many sources can be contacted?
All known sources who meet your vendor qualifications set forth in the Item Profile. Volume can range from a select few ISO certified locals to hundreds of global sources.
What are the fees?
Flat hourly rate See fees..
So we never see you?
Personal visits may be arranged.
What are the advantages of this service?
- Speed: I can often reach dozens of sources in the time it takes to make one phone call.
- Objective: An impartial representative of the client, not the market.
- Full Scale: I produce global data based on customer defined values. If you found a small sample, it wasn’t from me.
- Comprehensive: One resource for a wide array of technology purchases and investments.
