VF Teams With Software Co. for Sourcing Solution
Apparel giant VF Corp., based in Greensboro, N.C., is using Iasta.com Inc.’s e-Sourcing software tools to streamline sourcing and procurement operations.
Iasta’s main product is the SmartSource Desktop suite, which addresses all aspects of sourcing. The software is delivered through an application service provider subscription or through in-house software installation.The system is aimed at giving buyers and trading partners tools to administer e-sourcing projects and manage strategic sourcing initiatives.
The system allows users to place bids, download requests for quotes and requests for proposals and specifications, and respond to requests for information through the SmartSource portal via secured logins. Company officials said no additional software, such as Java or ActiveX, is required. Bidders and respondents get immediate access to documents and live-bidding events.
VF representatives said they were attracted to the costs and the service they experienced during test runs for the product.
“We were impressed by the responsiveness of the Iasta team and the strong functionality that was clearly apparent, especially in features such as line-item lotting and post-bid optimization,” said John Lewis, VF’s vice president of procurement, in a statement. “Our supplier feedback has been outstanding, which certainly has helped adoption and implementation of savings. Overall, the suite has a vast amount of functionality that we continue to receive tremendous benefit from.”
The main components of the platform are event management modules, e-RFx creation and template libraries, advanced reverse auctions and post-bid optimization analysis, and reporting modules.
Company officials said clients see an average cost reduction of about 17 percent, not including a reduction of cycle times.
Iasta, based in Carmel, Ind., has a number of Fortune 1000 clients and has been in business for about five years.
VF is one of the largest apparel companies in the world. Among its brands are: Lee, Wrangler, Riders, Rustler, Vanity Fair, Vassarette, Bestform, Lily of France, Nautica, Earl Jean, John Varvatos, Jan Sport, Eastpak, The North Face, Vans, Reef, Napapijri, Kipling, Lee Sport and Red Kap.
For more information, visit www.iasta.com. —Robert McAllister
