SciQuest , a leading provider of cloud-based business automation solutions for spend management, announced in the fourth quarter of 2013, the newest version of the company’s Advanced Sourcing Optimizer. This is the first upgrade to the company’s advanced sourcing solution since SciQuest acquired CombineNet in September 2013. Designed in response to customer feedback, the new version provides several new and innovative ways to conduct bid analysis and scenario optimization, delivering greater analytical power and flexibility to end-users.

Available immediately, the new version of Advanced Sourcing Optimizer includes more flexible ways for customers to evaluate sourcing data. As a result, users are able to gain a more sophisticated and nuanced understanding of sourcing activities. New capabilities include:

• Cost Model Analysis Flexibility – Allows users to create multiple cost models, including historic cost models, in a single sourcing event while electing which cost model to apply in “what if” scenarios for bid analysis and optimization. As a result, buyers can now look at multiple pricing models and compare total costs or specific portions of total cost to historic prices, benchmark data or market rates.
• New Ratio Balancing Rule – A brand new optimization scenario rule that enables buyers to ensure that, when suppliers are awarded certain items, they are also awarded other items based on a ratio determined by the buyer. This results in more efficient transportation and supply chain execution, improves support for corporate sustainability and helps buyers balance the award of different items to suppliers.
• Pre-defined Scenarios – Sourcing events in ASO now include three pre-defined scenarios (Single Supplier, Lowest Bid and Lowest Bid Considering Capacity) to support faster analysis of simple award strategies and support novice users as they begin to use optimized scenario analysis.
• Event Editing – New functionality allowing buyers to change certain event features that would have previously been “locked in” once the event was opened to suppliers, allowing buyers to easily make changes to sourcing strategy at any time.

“This release underscores SciQuest’s continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of sourcing innovation,” said Greg Holt, product marketing director at SciQuest. “SciQuest has a long track record of listening to our customers’ needs and developing innovative solutions to meet those needs, helping users turn spending into a strategic source of savings. The Advanced Sourcing Optimizer enables better, faster decision-making while providing the flexibility required to conduct advanced sourcing events.“

Click here to view the entire SciQuest press release

To learn more about SciQuest’s solution functionality, download a complimentary copy of PayStream Advisors 2013 Electronic Procurement report.  The report includes a detailed SciQuest profile and case study.