Procurement Finance

This book presents a business model on how to structure the relationship between financial services and procurement. The need for new models is particularly important to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) where there is an evident difficulty in accessing credit. Due to this context, innovative solutions must be introduced. The objective of this book is to determine how innovation can support the dynamic and volatile international context and the increasingly relevant function of procurement. It is becoming more and more important to take into account complex international transactions with notably long payment terms. Organizations need to manage the best way to handle the financial relationships and the risks related to credit provision and payments. This book presents an end-to-end support to procurement, including trade finance, supply chain finance, and related payments. In addition, the enterprises need to keep sufficient liquidity levels in the short and medium term. This is a constant challenge today, with the turbulence of financial markets and a continuing climate of economic uncertainty making it harder to obtain external funding. Businesses need to optimize the working capital. This can be done through the innovative concept of procurement finance, which allows SMEs to benefit by the new vision of collaborative procurement. This book provides several practical examples of advanced procurement finance solutions. It demonstrates how the use of process improvement and technology can help in overcoming the current financially difficult situation. In addition, based on the business model presented, the integrated approach to procurement finance allows sustainable solutions which will be of interest to academics, researchers, managers, and practitioners in both buyer and vendor companies, as well as in banks and other financial institutions.

This book is the first of two volumes presenting a business model to add value through Procurement. Including several case studies of successful implementation, it demonstrates how the increasing complexity of the business environment requires a significant intervention on the management of processes and information within individual organizations and through inter-company relations. Agile Procurement presents the application of the Agile method which optimises and digitizes processes in order to reduce wastage and defects. As a method, tool and a culture aimed at effectiveness, efficiency and economy of organisations, agile procurement requires a change of paradigm. This volume examines these areas of improvement and presents best practice in improving processes. Each chapter of the book presents and substantiates the costs and benefits of process improvement through agile procurement. This is is seen as the integration of Lean Six Sigma and digitization.

A guide to the procurement of privately financed projects: an indicative assessment of the procurement process outlines the concept of privately financed projects (PFP) that can be used for both public-private and private-private interactions. Utilising models from many countries the guide develops a robust procurement system applicable to PFP and project finance in both the EU and overseas. This guide provides a systematic approach for the preparation and evaluation of privately financed projects (PFP) and services. It is intended to assist both the 'Principal' (often a public body) and the 'Promoter' (private body) at each phase of the procurement process, from inception through to financial closure. Principals using this guide should be able to adapt the private finance procurement process for their specific organisation and business sector. Moreover, in the case of the promoting organisation, the guide provides an appreciation of the steps that occur and the various processes undertaken and the associated costs of bidding. A guide to the procurement of privately financed projects: an indicative assessment of the procurement process provides an invaluable understanding of the critical facets involved in PFP and suggests frameworks for developing objective orientated procurement elements.

Financing the End-to-End Supply Chain provides readers with a real insight into the increasingly important area of supply chain finance. It demonstrates the importance of the strategic relationship between the physical supply of goods and services and the associated financial flows. The book provides a clear introduction, demonstrating the importance of the strategic relationship between supply chain and financial communities within an organization. It contains vital information on how supply chain finance is operationalised and put into place. It is written in a user-friendly style, starting with the purchasing function, and linking together treasury, banking, supply chain, systems, IT, and key stakeholders. Financing the End-to-End Supply Chain will help senior supply chain and procurement practitioners to build collaboration, improve relationships and enhance trust between supply chain partners. With its combination of theory and practice it tackles vital issues including physical, information and financial flows, and tailoring supply chain finance to individual organisations' circumstances. Recognising that supply chain finance means different things in different countries, the authors also consider various initiatives to harmonize and develop cross-border financing from the World Bank and other institutions, as well as including an agenda for national and international policy makers. Financing the End-to-End Supply Chain offers a mix of academic and industrial expertise and is written by three authors who are experts in the field. The book contains ground-breaking research and data from the Cranfield School of Management.

Managers involved at a senior level in the purchasing function require very particular financial skills. They need to: analyse the financial health and stability of their suppliers; model different cost and price scenarios; understand and manage budgets; and be comfortable with the financial aspects of capital purchases. Finance for Purchasing Managers is written from this perspective using buyer's language and interpretation. Richard France explores four key areas of expertise required of a buyer in today's environment: Financial analysis of suppliers - this includes understanding the financial aspects of a buyer's own organisation plus analysing key suppliers and how to use information to gain a negotiating edge. Pricing, costing and cost modelling - including costing methods and their application and how an understanding of these can give buyers a greater understanding when dealing with supplier quotations. Managing resources - including budgeting and sources of finance. This shows how budgets are drawn up and the importance of understanding the implications of the buyer’s decisions on a supplier’s cash flow forecast. Finally, capital and revenue purchasing decisions and techniques - covering standard investment appraisal techniques and how these can be used for deciding on the best deal from a choice of suppliers for both capital items as well as a standard long term parts supply contract. Finance for Purchasing Managers may be used to support the CIPS Level 6 Course 'Finance for Purchasers' but also offers a readable and practical guide for those at a senior level in purchasing whether in the public or private sector.

Purchasing and Financial Management of Information Technology aims to significantly reduce the amount of money wasted on IT by providing readers with a comprehensive guide to all aspects of planning, managing and controlling IT purchasing and finance. Starting from a recognition that IT purchasing and the financial management often needs to be treated differently from other types of expenditure, the author draws on over 25 years of experience in the field to provide readers with useful mixture of good procedures and common sense rules that have been tried, tested and found to work. Many of these are illustrated by case histories, each with a moral or a lesson. Purchasing and Financial Management of Information Technology provides useful guidelines and advice on whole range of topics including: * IT acquisitions policy * Dealing with suppliers * Budgeting and cost control * IT cost and risk management * Specification, selection and evaluation of systems * IT value for money