Promote chain integration with a central product library

In future, also digital procurement

Become-IT, supplier of business software Suite SME has presented an innovative concept at the Green Sector Trade Fair. The goal? "Chain integration for the entire Dutch green sector, by linking suppliers and manufacturers to customers," explains initiator Leo Kodde. 

That chain integration takes the form of a national library. That idea had existed for some time and was inspired by other sectors in which Become-IT is active. Kodde says the technology was developed last year. "Now the focus is on filling the library, and setting it up with Suite SME users."

At the fair, Become-IT invited vendors and manufacturers to join the library. "The first participant was Suslight, as a pilot to get the process right and to demonstrate how it works," says Kodde. "It picked up well, the initial response was very positive and over 20 companies immediately joined through our website. If several leading brands show they are participating, it is easier for us to find more participants.

The library of Suite SME

The larger goal of the library is chain integration. "Gardeners who make a quote for their customers need products from different suppliers. Entering that product information yourself is error-prone and time-consuming. You also need to be sure that all prices are up-to-date. Currently, therefore, many gardeners work with Excel files from their suppliers that are read in manually. This whole process could be much smoother in our eyes."

The solution: a library where suppliers and manufacturers can post their assortment. "Gardeners search the library for items and use them in quotations and orders. Think of it as a big digital catalog!" The fact that the library is current in terms of assortment and prices makes it attractive to landscapers, Kodde expects. "It's an easy way for gardeners to connect with providers and vice versa for providers to find new customers."

Looking to the future

While filling the library is in full swing, Kodde already has his sights set on the next station in chain integration. "Once we have the library running with a nice offering, new plans are already in place. We want to support landscapers and suppliers by digitizing the procurement process. Just imagine: you prepare your quote with the current information from the library, get an agreement on that quote and then immediately order all the required materials from that supplier with a digital purchase order."

Kodde explains that, for many gardeners, purchasing is quite involved. "Mailing, calling, whatsapping or dropping by: if you do this differently with each supplier, it takes a lot of time. The supplier enters orders to process them, and this so-called 'order entry' takes time and is error-prone. If we digitize that process, everyone will benefit. That would be great, and a very good example of further chain integration."

Eventually, Kodde hopes that so many businesses will join the library that being left behind is no longer an option. "It's a win-win situation and the time is right," he said. 

More information? 

https://bibliotheek.suite-mkb.nl