This edition of the monthly newsletter provides information about CAPS Research documents that are now available at the CAPS Research public web site (www.capsresearch.org) as well as information on benchmarking activities and other news about our programs and events. Please note that all first-time visitors need to create a user login profile to access the research documents.

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Newly Published Resources at www.capsresearch.org:

Focus Study: The Role of Optimization in Strategic Sourcing
Sourcing optimization is a process that uses a combination of mathematical models, computer software and computer hardware to analyze large numbers of supplier bids and business scenarios to identify "optimal" sourcing decisions and can lead to significant cost savings. The report provides numerous reasons why optimization should be considered for sourcing events. The research included many in-depth interviews with optimization software providers and buying organizations that had experience with optimization.

• Click here to access the focus study.

Benchmarking: Market Basket of Goods for Office Supplies
Market basket price indexing reveals differences and identifies potential areas of opportunity for organizations. This fifth market basket of goods report for office supplies provides the average and median costs for 50 office supply items. Each of the 50 line items has a unique description for the actual and equivalent items of the market basket as reported, and each item has a corresponding quantity used to normalize prices. Market Basket Program participants receive a comparative look at their data alongside the aggregate data of other participants.

• Click here to access the benchmarking report.

Benchmarking: Utilities Industry 2009 Metric Report
The Utilities Industry Benchmarking Metric Report for 2009 contains key supply management performance measures on topics including organizational structure, professional development, financial information and supplier relationships. New this year are benchmarks providing supply management operating expense per supply management employee in multiple categories and functions; percent of organizations that use external supply management consultants; and pCard spend and Outsourcing information.

• Click here to access the benchmarking report.

Benchmarking Opportunities:

• Benchmarking surveys in data collection:
  -Metals & Mining Industry
  
  
• Benchmarking surveys to be released:
  -Cross-Industry survey – Sept. 1
  -DOE Industry survey – Oct. 13
  

Do You Want To Benchmark? If the answer is 'Yes,' you should contact the benchmarking team at CAPS Research to get your company added to the list of companies who will be asked to provide data for the 2009 survey releases. Just send an email to metrics@capsresearch.org asking for more information about benchmarking opportunities.

News:

• 10th Annual Best Practices Workshop for Senior Purchasing and Supply Management Leaders – Modeled after our annual Executive Roundtable, the CAPS Research Best Practices Workshop is an opportunity for senior purchasing and supply management professionals to share best practices and engage in small group sessions. This year's event will be held October 4-6, 2009 at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort and Villas in Scottsdale, Arizona and the theme is, "Supply Management in a Transitioning Economy." This event is for CAPS Research major sponsor organizations. If you would like more information on CAPS Research major corporate sponsorship contact us at: Research@capsresearch.org.
  
  
• Supply Management Talent Development and Retention – If talent management was of key importance during the expanding global economy, it is of critical importance in this transitioning economy. CAPS Research is partnering with Ohio State University Fisher College of Business and Rutgers Business School to establish a baseline of key supply management talent development and retention strategies. The study team is being led by Philip L. Carter, D.B.A, Executive Director of CAPS Research. The inaugural survey that will be released in early September includes questions on recruitment, development, training, evaluation, compensation, and advancement. Results from the initial survey will be used to baseline current talent management strategies and provide a forecast of future issues. For more information send an email to: Research@capsresearch.org.

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Knowledge Central:
The following reports and information are now published on www.capsknowledge.org which is a sponsor-only searchable archive of CAPS Research studies, leading-edge practices, benchmarking reports and best practices presentations:

• Benchmarking: Low-Cost Country Sourcing and Procurement Activities Focused Report
• Benchmarking: Petroleum Industry 2009 Metric Report
• Benchmarking: Supply Management Shared Services Centers Focused Report
• Benchmarking: Semiconductor Industry 2009 Metric Report
• Focus Study: The Role of Optimization in Strategic Sourcing
• CPO Insights: Models and Policies for Providing Space to External Suppliers
• Practix: ISO 14000 at Veris Industries

Please note that only CAPS Research sponsor organizations have full access to Knowledge Central. If you haven't already done so, I encourage you to click on Knowledge Central Overview for a short, five-minute guided tour of our Sponsor website, Knowledge Central.

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For more information about CAPS Research programs and products please contact us at Research@capsresearch.org.

Sincerely,
Phillip Carter, D.B.A.
Executive Director
CAPS Research

CAPS Research is a global research organization jointly sponsored by the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, and the Institute for Supply Management™.

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