s u p p li e r g ui d e - ibm - united states · note: if the home page is set as sour cing, sour...

IBM Emptoris Sourcing

Supplier Guide10.1.2 SaaS

IBM

ii IBM Emptoris Sourcing: Supplier Guide

Copyright

Note: Before using this information and the product it supports, read theinformation in “Notices” on page 67.

© Copyright IBM® Corporation 2012, 2016. All rights reserved.

© Copyright Emptoris® 1999, 2012. All rights reserved.

US Government Users Restricted Rights - Use, duplication or disclosure restrictedby GS ADP Schedule Contract with IBM Corp.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2012, 2016 iii

iv IBM Emptoris Sourcing: Supplier Guide

Contents

Copyright . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

Chapter 1. Emptoris Sourcing Overview 1Emptoris Sourcing Add-On's . . . . . . . . . 1Additional Publications . . . . . . . . . . . 2Logging In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Logging Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Retrieving Login Name . . . . . . . . . . . 3Resetting Password . . . . . . . . . . . . 3User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

List of buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Global Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Using Global Search . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Chapter 2. Organizations . . . . . . . 9Viewing or Editing Your Supplier OrganizationProfile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Chapter 3. Users and User Roles . . . 11Supplier Organization Roles . . . . . . . . . 11

Supplier Application Manager . . . . . . . 11Supplier Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Creating User Accounts . . . . . . . . . . 12

Chapter 4. RFx . . . . . . . . . . . 13RFx Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

RFI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13RFQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14RFP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Buyer Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15English Reverse Auction . . . . . . . . . 15English Forward Auction . . . . . . . . . 15Dutch Reverse Auction . . . . . . . . . 16Dutch Forward Auction . . . . . . . . . 16Japanese Reverse Auction. . . . . . . . . 17Japanese Forward Auction . . . . . . . . 19

RFx Workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22RFx Concepts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

All or None Set . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Bundled Bids . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Business Volume Discount . . . . . . . . 23Bi-directional Bids . . . . . . . . . . . 24Forced Lots . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Minimum Desired Quantity . . . . . . . . 25Maximum Desired Quantity . . . . . . . . 25Minimum and Maximum Bid Quantities. . . . 25Multi Bid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26One Time Charge . . . . . . . . . . . 27Preliminary Bids. . . . . . . . . . . . 27Proxy Bids. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Step Volume Discount Bid . . . . . . . . 28Staggered Closing . . . . . . . . . . . 28Substitution Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . 29Volume Discount Bid . . . . . . . . . . 30

English Forward Auction . . . . . . . . . 31English Reverse Auction . . . . . . . . . 31Dutch Forward Auction . . . . . . . . . 31Dutch Reverse Auction . . . . . . . . . 32Japanese Forward Auction . . . . . . . . 33Japanese Reverse Auction. . . . . . . . . 35

Responding to Buyer Surveys . . . . . . . . 37Responding Offline - Buyer Surveys . . . . . 37Editing Buyer Survey Responses . . . . . . 38

Responding to RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs . . . . . . 38Viewing Invitations . . . . . . . . . . . 38Accepting New Invitations . . . . . . . . 38Accepting Declined Invitations . . . . . . . 39Declining Invitations . . . . . . . . . . 39Withdrawing from an RFx . . . . . . . . 39Inviting Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Responding to Sections . . . . . . . . . 40Editing Section Responses . . . . . . . . 41Responding Offline . . . . . . . . . . . 41Comparing Section Responses . . . . . . . 42Placing Single Bids . . . . . . . . . . . 43Getting Bid Suggestions . . . . . . . . . 43Placing Multi Bids . . . . . . . . . . . 43Placing Volume Discount Bids . . . . . . . 44Placing Bundled Bids . . . . . . . . . . 45Editing Bids . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45Comparing Bids in RFPs and RFQs . . . . . 46Creating Business Volume Discounts . . . . . 46Creating Constraints . . . . . . . . . . 47

Responding to Auctions . . . . . . . . . . 47Placing Bids in Auctions . . . . . . . . . 47Placing Discount Bids in Auctions . . . . . . 48Editing Bids in Auctions . . . . . . . . . 48Placing Proxy Bids in Auctions . . . . . . . 49Placing Bids in Staggered Auctions . . . . . 49Taking the Lead . . . . . . . . . . . . 49Placing Bundled Bids in Auctions . . . . . . 50Editing Bundled Bids in Auctions . . . . . . 50Responding to Dutch Auctions . . . . . . . 50Responding to Japanese Auctions . . . . . . 51

Responding Offline . . . . . . . . . . . . 51Exporting Line Item Information . . . . . . . 52Viewing Award Information . . . . . . . . . 53Attachments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Attaching Files . . . . . . . . . . . . 53Opening Attachments . . . . . . . . . . 54Updating Attachments. . . . . . . . . . 54Deleting Attachments . . . . . . . . . . 54Searching Attachments . . . . . . . . . 54Exporting Multiple Attachments . . . . . . 55

Chapter 5. Message Center Overview 59Viewing Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 59Creating Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 60Creating RFx Messages . . . . . . . . . . 60

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2012, 2016 v

Creating Auction Messages . . . . . . . . . 60Responding to Messages . . . . . . . . . . 61Searching Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . 61Resending Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 61Deleting Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Chapter 6. Utilities Overview . . . . . 63Editing Your User Profile . . . . . . . . . . 63

Changing Your Password . . . . . . . . . . 64Data Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64Importing Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

vi IBM Emptoris Sourcing: Supplier Guide

Chapter 1. Emptoris Sourcing Overview

IBM Emptoris Sourcing is a web-based software application that enables thesupplier organization to bid on RFxs issued by the buyer organization.

Using Emptoris Sourcing, you can do the following activities:v Review and update your profile.v Accept or decline invitations to RFxs.v Respond to sections.v Bid on individual items in an RFx.v Make a bundled bid.v Make a volume discount bid.

Emptoris Sourcing Add-On'sAdvanced add-on capabilities are available in Emptoris Sourcing.

The following advanced add-on capabilities are available in Emptoris Sourcing:

Sourcing Desktop Intelligence (SDI)

Using this feature, you can export bid data and access sophisticated capabilities inMicrosoft Excel to do a number of analytical tasks.

Scenario Analysis

Using this feature, you can create constraints to meet your unique sourcingrequirements and business preferences with pre-built Emptoris Sourcingoptimization function.

Optimized Auctions

Using this feature, you can create constraints that enable you to run optimizationthroughout the event so that the cost is not the only factor for ranking a supplierin an auction.

Flexible Bidding

Using this feature, you can allow bundle bidding, business volume bidding, andvolume business discounts.

Supplier Decision Support and Collaboration

Using this feature, you can provide feedback to suppliers on their bids, allowingthem to offer innovative solutions, emphasize their competitive advantage andoptimize their bids.

One and Two Envelope Bidding

Using this feature, you can configure an RFP as a one envelope or two envelopestructure.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2012, 2016 1

OJEU Notices (sending a tender Notice to the European Unionsite)

Using this feature, you can publish notices to TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) forthe following forms in English language only:v Prior Information Notice Formv Contract Notice Formv Contract Award Notice Form

Additional PublicationsIn addition to this online help, the following publications are available at IBMPublications Center.

In addition to this online help, the following publications are available athttp://www-05.ibm.com/e-business/linkweb/publications/servlet/pbi.wssv IBM Emptoris Sourcing XML Guidev IBM Emptoris Sourcing Integration Framework Guidev IBM Emptoris Sourcing Data Extract Guidev IBM Emptoris Sourcing Supplier User Guidev IBM Emptoris Sourcing Buyer User Guidev IBM Emptoris Sourcing Desktop Intelligence Guidev IBM Emptoris Strategic Supply Management Platform Administrator Guide

To access the guides, complete the following steps:1. Click http://www-05.ibm.com/e-business/linkweb/publications/servlet/

pbi.wss.2. On the IBM Publications Center page, select the country.3. Click Search for Publications.4. In the Quick Publications Center Search section, enter IBM Emptoris Sourcing

in the Search field.

Logging InUsers can access the Emptoris Sourcing application using the Emptoris StrategicSupply Management Platform. Users can log on, using a single user account andaccess all applications that are integrated with the Emptoris Strategic SupplyManagement Platform. Users need the required permissions to access theapplications.

Procedure

To log on to Emptoris Sourcing, complete the following steps:1. Open the login page.2. Enter your user name and password in the appropriate fields.3. Click Log in.4. Click IBM Emptoris Virtual Supply Master and then click IBM Emptoris

Sourcing from the Suite navigation page. The IBM Emptoris Sourcing homepage is displayed.

2 IBM Emptoris Sourcing: Supplier Guide

http://www-05.ibm.com/e-business/linkweb/publications/servlet/pbi.wss

Note: If the home page is set as Sourcing, Sourcing home page is displayedwhen you login.

Logging OutYou must log out of the Emptoris Sourcing application after you complete theassigned tasks.

Procedure

To log out of Emptoris Sourcing, complete the following steps:1. On the Emptoris Sourcing header's, click user profile icon.2. Click Logout.

Retrieving Login NameIn Emptoris Sourcing, you can retrieve your login name in case you forget youruser name.

Procedure

To retrieve your login name, complete the following steps:1. On the Emptoris Strategic Supply Management Platform login page, click

Forgot Username.2. On the Forgot Username window, enter the email address, then click OK.

Note: Ensure that you enter the email address that is registered with the loginname, as the login name is sent by email.

Resetting PasswordIn Emptoris Sourcing, you can reset your password from the Emptoris StrategicSupply Management Platform login page.

Procedure

To reset your password, complete the following steps:1. On the Emptoris Strategic Supply Management Platform login page, click

Forgot Password.2. On the Forgot Password window, enter your username, and then click OK.

Note: The password is reset, and sent to your registered email address. Onyour first login, you must change the password.

User Interface

The Emptoris Sourcing User Interface (UI) displays within your internet browser. Itis divided in two sections:v Top menu - contains menus, links, and buttons to navigate to various modules

and functions within Emptoris Sourcing.v Main window – is the working area of Emptoris Sourcing.

Chapter 1. Emptoris Sourcing Overview 3

List of buttonsIn the Emptoris Sourcing application, buttons are shortcuts for various tasks thatcan be performed.

Table 1. Suit level navigation buttons

Button Function

IBM Emptoris Sourcing

IBM Emptoris Contract Management

IBM Emptoris Spend Analysis

IBM Emptoris Program Management

IBM Emptoris Virtual Supply Master

Table 2. Application level navigation buttons

Button Function

RFx

Organizations

Categories

Suppliers

Utilities

Messages

Notices

User profile

Table 3. RFx wizard buttons

Button Function

Event setup

Sections and questions

Field definitions

Lots and items

Bid transformation

Participants


Table 3. RFx wizard buttons (continued)

Button Function

Approval forms

Schedule

Table 4. List of other buttons

Button Function

Advance search

Add new

Remove

Add to list

Remove from list

Buyer survey respondents

Attachments

Calendar

Clock

Close or cancel

Configure

Copy

Drag and drop

Download

Export

Import

Grid configuration

Information

Discount item

Left panel expand

Right panel expand

Library


Table 4. List of other buttons (continued)

Button Function

Manage translations

More grid

More navigation

Move item to set

Lock bidding

One envelope lock bidding

Two envelope lock bidding

Pause

Resume

Preliminary bids

Restore

Supplier acceptance

Supplier preview

Suspend or include

Delete

Edit invitation

View messages

Collapse the menu

Expand the menu

Modify table layout

Change order in which items, sections,attributes (properties, fields) are listed

Restore the order in which items, sections,attributes (properties, fields) are listed

View summary information on the category,supplier, or RFx

Delete

Search

Open folder

Sort


Table 4. List of other buttons (continued)

Button Function

Toggle list heading

Maximize display area

Expand list

Collapse list

Expand folder

Collapse folder

Global SearchGlobal Search is used to search for RFxs, suppliers, and categories from the topmenu. The type-ahead results are displayed as you enter the characters. Forexample, when you enter “de”, all RFxs, suppliers, and categories that start with“de” are displayed.

Using Global SearchYou can use the global search option to quickly search for RFxs, suppliers, andcategories.

Procedure

To use the global search option in Emptoris Sourcing, complete the following steps:1. From the Emptoris Sourcing toolbar, click the Search icon.2. Enter your search query in the search box. As you enter one or more characters,

the search result is displayed.3. Click the result that you want to view.

Note: The search results are limited to a maximum of three items each forRFxs, suppliers, and categories. If more than three items are found, a link to thetraditional context search to view all results is displayed. However, if the searchresult does not contain one of the items such as categories, a maximum of ninesearch results are displayed for RFxs and suppliers.


Chapter 2. Organizations

Viewing or Editing Your Supplier Organization ProfileSupplier Application Managers can edit the organization profile.

About this task

You can view or edit the following information:v Main: View organization name and contact detailsv Additional information: View details such as company size, experience, number

of employees and more.v Attachments: Add attachments to the supplier profilev Categories: Link and de-link from categories

Procedure

To view or edit the supplier organizational profile, complete the following steps:1. On the My Profile menu, click Manage My Profile.2. On the Profile page edit the information, and then click Save.


Chapter 3. Users and User Roles

In Emptoris Sourcing, a user profile contains information about the users in thebuyer or supplier organization. Each user is assigned a specific role in theEmptoris Sourcing application.

A user profile contains the following user information:v Name and contact detailsv Preferred language, date format, number format, currency, time-zonev User's home page wizard settingsv Category links

The table lists the different types of organizations and user roles that are used inEmptoris Sourcing.

Table 5. Organization and User Roles

Organization User Roles

Buyer v Content Managers

v Corporate Sourcing Manager

v Divisional Sourcing Manager

v Event Manager

v Business Unit Manager

v Buyer Observer

v Key Commodity Manager

v Buyer Agents

v Buyer Application Managers

v Organizational Supplier Manager

v Contractor

Supplier v Supplier Application Managers

v Supplier Agents

Supplier Organization Roles

Supplier Application ManagerIn Emptoris Sourcing, Supplier Application Manager is a role that can be assignedto an external user to perform various tasks in the application.

Supplier Application Manager can do the following activities:v View all RFxs to which they are invited.v Accept and decline invitations to RFxs.v Respond to sections.v Submit bids.v Invite supplier agents to participate in bidding.v Manage supplier profiles.


Supplier AgentsIn Emptoris Sourcing, Supplier Agent is a role that can be assigned to an externaluser to perform various tasks in the application.

Supplier Agents can do the following activities:v Respond to sections.v Submit bids.

Creating User AccountsUsers with the administrator's role in the IBM Emptoris Strategic SupplyManagement Platform application can create user accounts for the EmptorisSourcing application.

About this task

User accounts are created in the IBM Emptoris Strategic Supply ManagementPlatform. For more information, refer to the IBM Emptoris Strategic SupplyManagement Platform Administrator Guide.

Procedure1. Click the Virtual Supply Master.2. From the Administration tab, click Users > All Users and Contacts > Create.3. In the User Info section, enter information in the fields.4. Select the required option from the Type drop-down list.5. Select the Supplier and enter the phone numbers, email addresses, street

address, and PO Box address.6. (Optional) Enter the External Source name and ID.7. Click Save.8. Click Activate User to activate the user.9. Click the Applications tab, and select the Sourcing check-box.

10. From the Assigned Role drop-down, select the role for the user.11. Select the language, date format, and number format, and click Save.


Chapter 4. RFx

An RFx is an electronic document that is created by a buyer and contains items forpurchase, or sections that are related to a procurement activity. In EmptorisSourcing, it could also be a type of auction or a survey.

An RFx also includes the following configuration information:v Types of RFx (opening and closing time information for an auction)v Item information (description, required quantity, expected delivery date)v Attachmentsv MessagesRelated concepts:“RFx Workflow” on page 22An electronic document that is created by a buyer and contains items for purchaseand/or sections related to a procurement activity is called an RFx. In EmptorisSourcing, it could also be a type of auction or a survey.“RFx Types”An electronic document that is created by a buyer and contains items for purchaseand/or sections related to a procurement activity is called an RFx. In EmptorisSourcing, it could also be a type of auction or a survey.

RFx TypesAn electronic document that is created by a buyer and contains items for purchaseand/or sections related to a procurement activity is called an RFx. In EmptorisSourcing, it could also be a type of auction or a survey.

The following are the types of RFx in Emptoris Sourcing:v Request for information (RFI )v Request for quote (RFQ )v Request for proposal (RFP )v Buyer surveyv English reverse auction (RA)v Dutch reverse auctionv Japanese reverse auctionv English forward auction (FA)v Dutch forward auctionv Japanese forward auction

RFIAn RFx, that buyers use to obtain detailed information from a supplier is knownas Request for information (RFI). After buyers obtain the required informationusing an RFI, they can create an RFQ to obtain quotes on items, or conduct anauction.

Buyers can conduct RFIs to complete the following steps:v Determine whether or not to include a supplier in an RFQ.


v Determine whether or not to associate a supplier with a category.v Rate or score a supplier.v Compare suppliers.v Provide information for supplier profile attributes.v Understand how suppliers have changed over time.v Know qualifications of suppliers.

Features

An RFI contains the following features:v Sections - Sections contain questions for the information that buyers want to

seek from suppliers.v Response - Answers to section provided by suppliers.v Raw score - Buyers can provide a score to supplier responses. The scoring can be

done manually or automatically.v Weighted score - Indicates the relative score of a section or question with respect

to other questions or sections. This is calculated based on the importance valuesfor the question, which is provided by buyers.

v Rank - The ranking of a supplier is calculated by using the weighted scores tothe responses provided by the supplier.

RFQA formal invitation to submit a price for goods and/or services as specified isknown as Request for Quotation (RFQ).

Suppliers can place their bids on these items.

Buyers can analyze the quotes received and award the RFQ to one or moresuppliers.

RFPAn RFx, in which buyer users can create sections to obtain information fromsuppliers as well as define items for bidding is known as Request for Proposal(RFP).

An RFP is a type of RFx that combines the features of an RFQ and an RFI.

Suppliers can place their bids on items. Buyers can analyze the responses andquotes received, and allocate the RFP to one or more suppliers.

Types of RFPs

The following table displays the types of RFPs available within the application.

Table 6. RFP Types

RFP Type Description

Unlocked RFPs Buyers can view responses to sections andbids as soon as they are submitted by thesuppliers, even before the RFP is closed.

Locked RFPs Buyers can view responses to sections andbids only after the RFP is closed.


Table 6. RFP Types (continued)

RFP Type Description

Two envelope (If enabled) In two-envelope RFPs the lead buyer mustmanually unlock the RFP in the followingphases:

v In the first phase, the lead buyer for theRFP must open the technical (Section) partof the RFP. Buyer users cannot view thebids placed by suppliers at this stage butcan view the answers to the questions.

v In the second phase, after the answers tothe questions are reviewed, the lead buyerfor the RFP must manually open the bids.

One envelope (If enabled) In one envelope RFPs, after an RFP isclosed, the lead buyer must manually unlockthe RFP for buyers to view the responsesand bids placed by the suppliers.

Buyer SurveyA buyer survey is an internal survey that is sent to members of the buyerorganization. A buyer organization typically uses a buyer survey to gatherinformation prior to creating an RFI, RFQ, RFP or auction.

Respondents may not be users of Emptoris Sourcing. The survey can also be sentto non-registered users.

Some situations when you can conduct a buyer survey:v Decide on questions to be added to an RFI section.v Determine quantities of goods or services that are required by different buyers

of the organization.v Gather information on previous experiences with suppliers.v Determine optimal delivery dates for goods and services.

English Reverse AuctionAn RFx that contains a list of items that buyers want to procure. Suppliers placetheir bids on these items in a live auction held over a limited duration of time,such as an hour.

The auction is normally awarded to suppliers with the lowest bid, but buyerscould consider factors such as the quality level of suppliers, delivery time records,and research and development resources, before awarding the auction.

English Forward AuctionAn RFx that is usually used by buyers to sell excess by-products and assets.Supplier organizations place their bids on these items in a live auction held over alimited duration of time, such as an hour.

The auction is normally allotted to suppliers that offer the highest price.

The forward auction can be used to sell surplus inventory or equipment that is nolonger required.

Chapter 4. RFx 15

Dutch Reverse AuctionA Dutch reverse auction is a type of RFx that contains a list of items that buyerswant to procure. In this auction, the price of the item rises after fixed intervalsuntil a reserved price is reached. Before the reserved price is reached, if a supplierplaces a bid for the item, it is allocated to the supplier and the item closes forbidding.

In this auction, the buyer specifies a starting price, price change value, timeinterval between price changes, and the reserved price.

The auction opens with the first item with a specified start price and increases bythe price change value (amount or percentage) after a fixed interval. The start pricekeeps on increasing until any supplier places a bid or the start price reaches thereserved price. After the bidding is closed for the item it moves to another itemsequentially.

Auction is closed when the bidding for all items is completed.

Auction flow

The following table displays configuration settings for a Dutch reverse auction.

Table 7. Example for Dutch Reverse Auction

# ItemMinimumquantity

Startprice

Reservedprice

Pricechange

Pricechangetime

Partialquantityenabled

1 Processor 100 $50 $150 $10 3 mins No

2 Hard disk 150 $20 $60 $5 3 mins Yes

At the scheduled time of bidding, the first item in the auction - Processor - isopened for bidding at $ 50.v If no suppliers bid on the item for a period of 3 minutes, the price is increased

by $ 10.v If no suppliers bid for the item even when the price is $ 150, the item closes for

bidding.v Since partial quantity is not enabled, suppliers must bid for all 100 units.v When a supplier places a bid, the item is awarded to the supplier.

After the item - Processor - closes for bidding, the item - Hard disk - is opened forbidding.v If no suppliers bid on the item for a period of 3 minutes, the price is increased


bidding.v Since partial quantity is enabled, suppliers can place a bid on any number of

available units.v When a supplier places a bid, the quantity bid is allotted to the supplier.

Dutch Forward AuctionA Dutch forward auction is a type of RFx that contains a list of items that buyerswant to sell. In this auction, the price of the item falls after fixed intervals until a


reserved price is reached. Before the reserved price is reached, if a supplier placesa bid for the item, it is allocated to the supplier and the item closes for bidding.


The auction opens with the first item with a specified start price and decreases bythe price change value (amount or percentage) after a fixed interval. The start pricedecreases until any supplier places a bid or the start price reaches the reservedprice. After the bidding is closed for the item it moves to another item sequentially.


Auction flow

The following table displays configuration settings for a Dutch forward auction.

Table 8. Example for Dutch Forward Auction


Startprice

Reservedprice

Pricechange

Pricechangetime




At the scheduled time of bidding, the first item in the auction - Processor - isopened for bidding at $ 150.v If no suppliers bid on the item for a period of 3 minutes, the price is decreased

by $ 10.v If no suppliers bid for the item at $140, the price is further decreased by $10. If

no suppliers bid till price is $100, item closes for bidding.v Since partial quantity is not enabled, suppliers must bid for all 100 units.v When a supplier places a bid, the item is awarded to the supplier.

After the Processor item closes for bidding, the Hard disk item is opened forbidding.v If no suppliers bid for the item for a period of 3 minutes, the price is decreased

by $ 5.v If no suppliers bid for the item at 115, the price is further decreased by $ 5. If no

suppliers bid till price is $ 90, item closes for bidding.v Since partial quantity is enabled, suppliers can place a bid on any number of

available units.v When a supplier places a bid, the quantity of items that the supplier has bid for,

is allotted to the supplier.

Japanese Reverse AuctionA Japanese reverse auction is a type of RFx in which the price of the itemdecreases automatically after a fixed time interval. The value by which the pricechange occurs is defined by the buyer user in different steps. The buyer user candefine multiple steps with different decremental values for the price change.

In this auction, if the suppliers wants to continue in the auction process, they mustsubmit the bid at each price change step. If a supplier does not bid for the item,

Chapter 4. RFx 17

the supplier is withdrawn from the auction of that item. The supplier can however,bid for another item. The auction remains open until no supplier is remaining tobid or the price falls to the minimum possible value.

The RFx contains a list of items that buyers want to procure. Bidding for each itemtakes place individually. Only one item can be bid at a time.

Process

In this auction, the buyer specifies the following values:v Start price - the price at which the auction begins.v Step - the step number on which the price of the item decreases after the fixed

intervalv Value - the amount or percentage by which the price decreases.

The auction begins at the start price and after a fixed time interval the price of theitem decreases by the value that is defined for the step. All suppliers, who canprovide the item at the current price and want to remain in the auction, mustsubmit bids.

The suppliers must submit the bids in the “Interval between Price change”. Theitem price keeps decreasing by the value that is set for the step until no supplier isremaining to bid in the auction or the item price becomes zero.

Buyer users can now extend the Japanese auctions even after all the suppliers havewithdrawn from the bidding process by configuringthe japanese.auction.extension.in.steps= property in the ConfigurationManagement section of the Utilities menu. If the property is configured, theauction is extended by that many steps for each item.

Hence, the next item is not opened for bidding or the auction is not closed. Thestatus is of the event is Extended in the Monitoring tab. The default value of theproperty is 0. An integer value must be configured to extend the auction by thatmany steps for each item in the auction.

Reopening of auction

Buyer users can reopen the auction.

Items that have not closed automatically are available for bidding. If any item isclosed in between, the auction for that item begins from where it was stopped. The‘Current Unit Price’ reflects the price that was in effect when the auction closed.Suppliers who have been eliminated from the line item cannot bid for the item.They can only participate for the items that are pending.

Auction flow

The following table displays configuration settings for a Japanese Reverse Auction.

Table 9. Configuration settings for Japanese Reverse Auction

# Item Start price StepPricechange

Pricechangetime

Pricechange

1 Processor $30 1 $5 2 mins 25, 20


Table 9. Configuration settings for Japanese Reverse Auction (continued)


Pricechangetime

Pricechange

3 $3 17, 14, 11, 8

7 $1 7...

2 Hard disk $40 1 $5 2 mins 35, 30

3 $3 27, 24, 21,

6 $1 20...

In the Configuration settings for Japanese reverse auction table, for the processoritem, the Step column defines steps on which the price will change. On Step 1, theprice change will be $5, The next step mentioned is 3. So, in step 1 and 2 of theauction, the price will fall by $ 5 and in step 3 of the auction the price will fall by$ 3 till step 7. On step 7 of the auction, the price will fall by $ 1 and from there oncontinue to drop by $1 till no supplier is remaining or the price becomes zero.

The auction can be awarded to the last supplier remaining in the auction.

The auction workflow is as follows:1. At the scheduled time of bidding, the first item in the auction - Processor - is

opened for bidding at $ 30.2. After two minutes of the beginning of the auction, the price of the processor

drops by $ 5 which is the price change for Step 1. Hence, the price of theprocessor now becomes $ 25.

3. All suppliers, to whom the current price is acceptable show their willingness byclicking Submit Bids. Suppliers who do not click Submit Bids are eliminatedfrom the auction.

4. After a lapse of two minutes, in step 2 of the auction, the price of the processorfurther drops by $ 5 as the price change of $5 is from step 1 to step 3. Hence,the price of the processor now becomes $ 20. Suppliers, to whom the currentprice is acceptable show their willingness by clicking Submit Bids.

5. After a lapse of two minutes, in step 3 of the auction, the price of the processordrops by $ 3 as mentioned in the Japanese Reverse Auction table against step 3.This price continues to drop by $ 3 till the next step that is mentioned, here,step 7. So till step 7, the price drops by $ 3 and then on step 7 the price dropsby $ 1.

6. On each step of the auction, all suppliers, to whom the current price isacceptable and who want to continue in the auction, show their willingness byclicking Submit Bids.

Japanese Forward AuctionA Japanese forward auction is a type of RFx that contains a list of items thatbuyers want to sell. Bidding for each item takes place individually. You can bid forone item at a time.

In this auction, the price of the item increases automatically after a fixed timeinterval. The value by which the price change occurs is defined by the buyer userin different steps. The buyer user can define multiple steps with differentincremental values for the price changes. The auction remains open until nosupplier is remaining to bid.

Chapter 4. RFx 19

In this auction, if the suppliers wants to continue in the auction process, it ismandatory for the suppliers to submit the bid at each price change step. If thesupplier does not bid for the item, the supplier is withdrawn from the line item.The supplier can however, bid for other items. Suppliers can be invited to theauction in the middle of the event, but they can bid only for those items that are inthe Pending state.

Buyer users can now extend the Japanese auctions even after all the suppliers havewithdrawn from the bidding process by configuring thejapanese.auction.extension.in.steps= property in the ConfigurationManagement section of the Utilities menu. If the property is configured, theauction is extended by that many steps for each item.


If suppliers are revoked from the event, all valid bids submitted by the supplierare invalidated.



Items that have not closed automatically are available for bidding. If any item isclosed in between, the auction for that item begins from where it was stopped. The‘Current unit price’ reflects the price that was in effect when the auction closed.Suppliers who have been eliminated from the line item cannot bid for the item.They can only participate for the items that are pending.

Process

In this auction, the buyer specifies the following values:v Start price - the price at which the auction begins.v Step - the step number on which the price of the item increases after the fixed

intervalv Value - the amount or percentage by which the price increases.

The auction begins at the start price and after a fixed time interval the price of theitem increases by the value that is defined for the step. All bidders, who want tobid for the item at the current price and want to remain in the auction, mustsubmit bids.

The suppliers must submit the bids in the “Interval between price change”. Theitem price keeps increasing by the value that is set for the step until no supplier isremaining to bid in the auction.


Auction flow

The following table displays configuration settings for a Japanese forward auction.

Table 10. Configuring Japanese Forward Auction


Pricechangetime

Pricechange

1 Processor $30 1 $5 2 mins 35, 40

3 $3 43, 46, 49,52

7 $1 53...

2 Hard disk $100 1 $5 2 mins 105, 110

3 $3 113, 116,119

6 $1 120...

In the table, for the processor item , the Step column defines steps on which theprice will change. On Step 1, the price change will be $5, The next step mentionedis 3. So, in step 1 and 2 of the auction, the price will rise by $ 5 and in step 3 ofthe auction the price will rise by $ 3 untill step 7. On step 7 of the auction, theprice will rise by $ 1 and from there on continue to rise by $1 untill no supplier isremaining.




item rises by $ 5 which is the price change for Step 1. Hence, the price of theprocessor now becomes $ 35.


4. After a lapse of two minutes, in step 2 of the auction, the price of the processorfurther rises by $ 5 as the price change of $5 is for step 1 to step 2. Hence, theprice of the processor now becomes $ 40 and suppliers, to whom the currentprice is acceptable show their willingness by clicking Submit bids.

5. Now, after a lapse of two minutes, in step 3 of the auction, the price of theprocessor rises by $ 3 as mentioned in the Japanese Forward Auction table,against step 3. This price continues to rise by $ 3 till the next step that ismentioned, here, step 7. So till step 7, the price rises by $ 3 and then on step 7the price rises by $ 1.


Chapter 4. RFx 21

RFx WorkflowAn electronic document that is created by a buyer and contains items for purchaseand/or sections related to a procurement activity is called an RFx. In EmptorisSourcing, it could also be a type of auction or a survey.

The following table describes the RFx workflow:

Table 11. RFx Workflow

Stage Who does it

RFx Creation

This stage involves selection andconfiguration of the RFx. Depending on thetype of RFx, it may include the followingtasks:

v Selecting RFx type.

v Creating sections.

v Configuring items to procure.

v Selecting suppliers to invite for RFx.

v Scheduling the RFx.

Buyers

Responding to RFx

In this stage suppliers provide responses tosections and bids.

Suppliers

Analysis and Awarding

In this stage buyers analyze the responsesand bids obtained from suppliers, use theanalysis feature within the application toevaluate the bids, and award the RFx tosuppliers.

Buyers

RFx Concepts

All or None SetAll or none sets are sets that contain two or more single items. Suppliers providebids for the items as a group and do not enter bids for individual items.

You can create All-or-none sets in RFPs, RFQs, and English reverse and forwardauctions.

The following table is an example of an All-or-none set.

Table 12. Example for All-or-none Set

Set Item Quantity Units

Dry Fruits 100 Boxes

Raisins 200 gm

Almonds 400 gm

Cashew nuts 400 gm


If the items are a part of All-or-none set table called Dry Fruits, suppliers wouldneed to bid for 100 boxes, each containing 200 gm of raisins, 400 gm of almonds,and 400 gm of cashew nuts. Suppliers cannot bid on individual items within thebox. The awards that are made are also for the entire set.

All-or-none sets and Optimization

There is a possibility that a scenario in Optimization may suggest an award for asupplier whose bid on an All-or-none set is not the best.

An All-or-none set contains an overall bid for all the items in the set. Suppliers donot provide a price per unit or a one-time charge on individual items. For runningscenarios by using all-or-none sets, a price per unit and one time charge for eachitem using the supplier's bid is calculated on the All-or-none set and the historicalcost or the reserved price of the individual items. Award suggestions for scenariosare made using this price per unit and performance factors that are defined bybuyer users. If the weight for performance factors is higher, the RFx is awarded toa supplier whose bid is not the lowest.

Bundled BidsBundled bids are bids placed by suppliers for multiple items rather than a separatebid for each item. Bundled bids are available only with RFQs, RFPs and reverseauctions. The items are grouped to form a bundle. Each item within the bundle hasindividual bid information.

Buyers can choose to ignore bundled bids when performing bid analysis.

When to use

Suppliers can use these type of bids when it may not be feasible for them tosupply a single item only or when they want to provide discounts to buyers forhigh volume business.

In addition to that, suppliers can provide discount on the price per unit andone-time charge on items within the bundle.

The following table represents an example of a bundled bid for an RFP.

Table 13. Example for Bundled Bids

BundleName:Stationery

TotalBundlePrice:$710

ItemBidQuantity Base PPU

PPU %Discount PPU

BaseOTC

OTC %Discount OTC

Pen 300 $1.00 5% $0.95

Pencil 500 $0.50 10%

Marker 100 $2.00 5%

Business Volume DiscountBusiness volume discount is the discount that suppliers can provide to buyers ifthe business that is allotted to them exceeds a certain amount (in currency).Business volume discounts can be defined on one or more categories. The discount

Chapter 4. RFx 23

can be expressed in percentage or amount. Suppliers can have multiple businessvolume discounts in effect at any given time.

Difference Between Business Volume Discounts and VolumeDiscount Bids

The following are the differences between business volume discounts and volumediscount bids:

Table 14. Difference between Business Volume Discounts and Volume Discount Bids

Business Volume Discounts Volume Discount Bids

Based on volume of business in currency. Based on quantity of items.

Based on a category and applies to the entireRFx.

Based on a bid in an RFx.

The following table represents an example of business volume discounts applied toan RFx.

Table 15. Example of Business Volume Discount (Category: Notebook and Currency: UnitedStates Dollar (USD)

Volume Discount Currency or %

More than 50000 2 %

More than 100000 5000 USD

More than 125000 10000 USD

In the business volume discount example, if the supplier is allotted more than50,000 USD worth of business for the category of notebooks, the supplier providesa discount of 2% on actual volume of business.

Also, if the supplier is allotted more than 100,000 USD worth of business for thecategory of note books, the supplier provides a discount of 5000 USD.

Bi-directional BidsBids in which suppliers can increase or decrease the bid value of individual itemsin a forced lot, as long as the overall bid value of the lot is decreased (in Englishreverse auctions), or increased (in English forward auctions) are known asbi-directional bids.

Bi-directional bids can only be placed in a forced lot in English reverse andforward auctions.

The following table displays an example of bi-directional bids for a forced lot in aEnglish reverse auction for a particular supplier.

Table 16. Example for Bi-directional Bids

Lot Items Quantity

Bid 1UnitCost

Bid 1Totalcost

Bid 2UnitCost

Bid 2TotalCost

Bid 3UnitCost

Bid 3TotalCost

Fruits 1500.00 1470.00 1460.00

Apple 100 10.00 1000.00 10.50 1050.00 10.60 1060.00

Bananas 100 5.00 500.00 4.20 420.00 4.00 400.00


Note: In the Bi-directional bids table, although the cost of apples is increasing, theoverall bid value of the lot is decreasing.

Forced LotsA lot in which it is mandatory for suppliers to bid on all items within the lot isknown as a forced lot.

Buyers can allow bi-directional bidding on items within a forced lot. Inbi-directional bidding, suppliers can increase the price of one item and decrease theprice of the other item in a lot. However, the total price for the lot should be lessthan the earlier price depending on the minimum decrement rules that are set forthe event.

Forced lots are only available in English reverse and forward auctions.

Minimum Desired QuantityThe minimum number of items that the buyer wants to procure is known as theminimum desired quantity.

Minimum desired quantity is an item-definition field. It is displayed as Quantity tosuppliers.

It is mandatory for buyers to enter a number in this field.

Minimum Desired Quantity and Bidding Quantities

It is recommended that suppliers must not match their minimum or maximumbidding quantities with the quantity that is indicated by buyers for the followingreasons:v Setting the minimum bidding quantity to the quantity wanted, restricts suppliers

from winning partial awards. Also, to win the complete award, their bid must bethe best bid.

v The quantity field that is displayed for suppliers corresponds to the minimumdesired quantity for buyers. Therefore, suppliers can choose to purchase moreitems if it provides business value. Setting the maximum bidding quantity to thequantity that is wanted, restricts suppliers from winning awards that are greaterthan indicated by them.

Maximum Desired QuantityThe maximum number of items that a buyer wants to procure is known asmaximum desired quantity.

Maximum desired quantity is an item-definition field. It is an optional field.

The Maximum Desired Quantity field is available in RFPs and RFQs.

You can use it in scenario analysis. Scenario optimization feature tries to fulfil thisquantity value if it makes business sense.

Minimum and Maximum Bid QuantitiesThe number of items that the supplier bids for. Buyer users can define themaximum bid quantity and minimum bid quantity. Both buyers and suppliers canenter the bid quantities.

Chapter 4. RFx 25

Definition for Suppliers

For suppliers, minimum and maximum bid quantities are bid fields. Refer to thefollowing definitions:v Minimum bid quantity is the minimum quantity of items for which a bid is

valid.v Maximum bid quantity is the maximum quantity of items for which a bid is

valid.

Definition for buyers

For buyers, minimum and maximum bid quantities are item-definition fields:v Minimum bid quantity is the minimum number of items for which suppliers

must submit a bid. Quantities less than this number are not accepted by thesystem.

v Maximum bid quantity is the maximum number of items for which supplierscan submit a bid. Quantities more than this number are not accepted by thesystem.

You can avoid entering values in these fields, if you do not want to constrainsuppliers on the quantities for which they want to submit bids.

Optimal minimum bid quantity values

If the minimum bid quantity that is entered by suppliers is too high, it reduces thechance of an award, especially if partial bidding is enabled in the RFx.

The following table indicates how the Minimum bid quantity value affects RFxawards:

Table 17. Optimal minimum bid quantity values

Minimum bid quantity value Effect

Greater than minimum desired quantity Even if the bid is the best bid, buyers maynot want excess quantity and may reject thebid for awarding.

Equal to minimum desired quantity Eliminates the possibility of a partial award.The bid must be the best bid for the RFx tobe awarded to the supplier.

Less than minimum desired quantity The lesser the minimum desired quantity thehigher the chances of being awarded a partof the RFx.Note: Although this option may force youto provide a high price per unit, you canprovide business volume discounts orvolume discount bids instead of entering ahigh value for the minimum desiredquantity.

Multi BidIn Emptoris Sourcing, MultiBid is a feature that enables a supplier to enter bids onmany items on the same bidding form. MultiBids can be placed for RFPs andRFQs.


Multi Bid is helpful when an RFx contains many items and the same values needto be entered in the bid fields defined for them.

One Time ChargeIn Emptoris Sourcing, any cost that is associated with the bid, and is not includedin the price per unit of the items and does not depend on the number of items thatare procured by the buyer is known as one time charge.

One-time charge is a bid field in the application.

Following are some examples of one-time charge:v Logistic costs, if they don't vary with the number of items procured.v Processing fees.

Preliminary BidsA bid that is either rolled over from an RFQ or RFP or entered by the buyer onbehalf of the supplier prior to actual bidding. Suppliers can accept or reject thepreliminary bids for regular items and modify the discount bid values whileaccepting the reverse auction invitation.

In a preliminary bid, buyers specify information such as price per unit andone-time charge for a single item.

Preliminary bids feature is applicable to only English reverse and forward auctions.

Proxy BidsIn Emptoris Sourcing, a series of bids are automatically placed until the bidbecomes the winning bid or reaches the cut-off value entered by the supplier areknown as proxy bids. Proxy bids are based on the price per unit field and aregenerated by using the minimum bid change that is defined for the item. Thisfeature is applicable to English reverse and forward auctions.

Note: If the price per unit is defined as a formula, the system modifies thedependent field set by the buyer in order to generate the proxy bid.

Floor price and ceiling price

The cut-off value in reverse auction is called the floor price. In forward auctionsthe cut-off value is called ceiling price.

The following table represents an example of proxy bids that are applied to anRFx.

Table 18. Example of Proxy bids applied to an RFx with minimum bid change of $10.

SupplierCurrency Bid (Price PerUnit) Winning?

Lee $ 305 Yes

Marge $ 500 No

Tim $ 325 No

Chapter 4. RFx 27

At this stage if Marge entered a proxy bid with the lowest price that she waswilling to pay as $ 280, the bids are automatically entered and each bids isdecreased by $ 10 until it becomes the winning bid.

Table 19. Another example of Proxy Bids with minimum bid change of $10

SupplierCurrency Bid (Price PerUnit) Winning?

Lee $ 305 No

Marge $ 300 Yes

Tim $ 325 No

Since $300 is better than the last winning bid, the price must not be less than $300.If at this stage, Lee further reduced his bid to $ 275, Marge's new bid would be $280, which is her floor price, but it would not be the winning bid.

Step Volume Discount BidIn Emptoris Sourcing, a step volume discount bid is a variation of the volumediscount bid. In the step volume discount bid, suppliers provide a differentdiscount in price for different range of quantities, but the difference is that thediscount is valid only for that range.

Step Volume Discount Bid is applicable to RFPs and RFQs.

The following table displays a quote provided by a supplier in an RFP.

Set # Minimum Quantiry Maximum Quantity Price Per Unit

1 1 10 10 USD

2 11 100 9 USD

3 101 8 USD

For the first 10 items, buyers pay 10 USD per unit, for the next 90 items, they pay9 USD per unit and thereafter 8 USD per unit. The following table displays cost tobuyer for different quantities of items.

Number ofitems

Items in range1-10 (A)

Items in range11-100 (B)

Items in range101 +

Total Cost(10A+9B+8C)

5 5 0 0 50 USD

50 10 40 0 460 USD

200 10 90 100 1710 USD

Staggered ClosingStaggered closing is an auction closing where the first item or lot closes at the RFxclosing time and thereafter each item or lot closes sequentially after a certaininterval. You can configure staggered closing for English forward and reverseauctions.

Setting Staggered Closing in an Auction

To set a staggered closing time, set the following options in the Define biddingrules section when creating the auction:


v From the Stagger at list in the Auction dynamics section, select the level atwhich you want to stagger the closing time.

v In the Incremental closing time (Minutes) box, enter the interval time inminutes by which you want to stagger the closing time of items or lots.

The following illustrates how auctions with staggered closing work.

Auction settings for the example:v Bidding rules

– Stagger at: Item level– Incremental closing time: 5 minutes– Auction extends if new bid is: Any bid– Grace period: 5 minutes– Extension time: 3 minutes.

v Items: Item 1, Item 2, and Item 3v Opening date and time: 3rd November 15:00 hoursv Closing date and time: 10th November 15:00 hours

Progression of events:

When the auction opens, the suppliers place bids on any of the three items untilthe closing date. The first item is displayed as the current item for the entireperiod.

Case 1: There is no bidding around the time of auction closing.v On 10th November at 15:00 hours the first item closes.v Item 2 then becomes the current item and closes after 3 minutes.v Item 3 then becomes the current item and closes a further 3 minutes after that.

Case 2: A bid is received on item 1 on 10th November, at 14:48 hours.v The closing time for the first item extends by 5 minutes (due to the grace

period).v The closing time for the item extends by 3 minutes every time a supplier bids

for it, since the auction extends when a new bid is received.v A similar cycle occurs for the next two items.v The auction closes only when bidding stops and the staggered time interval are

over.

Substitution SetsSubstitution set is a set that contains multiple items that can be substituted foreach other. Suppliers can bid for one or more items in the set and buyers canchoose the option with the best bid.

Substitution sets are generally used by buyers when multiple items fulfil the samerequirement and buyers do not have a preference for one item over the other.

You can create substitution sets in RFPs and RFQs.

Consider the following table for an example of a Substitution set.

Chapter 4. RFx 29

Table 20. Example of a Substitution Set

Set Item Quantity

RAM

2 GB 100

4 GB 50

If the items in the Substitution Set table are a part of a substitution set called RAM,suppliers would need to bid for either 100 2 GB items, or 50 4 GB items, or both.

Based on analysis of the bid results, the order can be fulfilled in numerous ways,following are the examples:v All 2 GB items, totaling to 100, awarded to one supplier.v All 4 GB items, totaling to 50, partially awarded to multiple suppliers.v Some 2 GB items, and some 4 GB items awarded to multiple suppliers.

Substitution sets and optimization

There is a possibility that a scenario in optimization may suggest an award for asupplier whose bid on a substitution set is not the best. This usually occurs if thesuggestion is for a supplier whose scores for performance factors is higher than thesupplier whose bid is the best bid.

Volume Discount BidIn Emptoris Sourcing, a bid that is provided by suppliers and contains a discountin price if the buyer procures a large quantity of items.

Suppliers provide quotes for different quantity ranges. If the quantity allotted tothe supplier falls in a particular range, the discount provided for that range isapplicable to all the items.

Volume Discount Bid is applicable to RFPs and RFQs.

The following table displays a quote provided by a supplier in an RFP.

Set # Minimum Quantiry Maximum Quantity Price Per Unit

1 1 100 100 USD

2 101 500 85 USD

3 501 75 USD

The following table displays cost to buyer for different quantities of items.

Number of items (A) Price Per Unit (B) Total Cost (AxB)

50 100 USD 5000 USD

400 85 USD 34000 USD

600 75 USD 45000 USD


English Forward AuctionAn RFx that is usually used by buyers to sell excess by-products and assets.Supplier organizations place their bids on these items in a live auction held over alimited duration of time, such as an hour.

The auction is normally allotted to suppliers that offer the highest price.

The forward auction can be used to sell surplus inventory or equipment that is nolonger required.

English Reverse AuctionAn RFx that contains a list of items that buyers want to procure. Suppliers placetheir bids on these items in a live auction held over a limited duration of time,such as an hour.

The auction is normally awarded to suppliers with the lowest bid, but buyerscould consider factors such as the quality level of suppliers, delivery time records,and research and development resources, before awarding the auction.

Dutch Forward AuctionA Dutch forward auction is a type of RFx that contains a list of items that buyerswant to sell. In this auction, the price of the item falls after fixed intervals until areserved price is reached. Before the reserved price is reached, if a supplier placesa bid for the item, it is allocated to the supplier and the item closes for bidding.


The auction opens with the first item with a specified start price and decreases bythe price change value (amount or percentage) after a fixed interval. The start pricedecreases until any supplier places a bid or the start price reaches the reservedprice. After the bidding is closed for the item it moves to another item sequentially.


Auction flow

The following table displays configuration settings for a Dutch forward auction.

Table 21. Example for Dutch Forward Auction


Startprice

Reservedprice

Pricechange

Pricechangetime




At the scheduled time of bidding, the first item in the auction - Processor - isopened for bidding at $ 150.v If no suppliers bid on the item for a period of 3 minutes, the price is decreased

by $ 10.v If no suppliers bid for the item at $140, the price is further decreased by $10. If

no suppliers bid till price is $100, item closes for bidding.

Chapter 4. RFx 31

v Since partial quantity is not enabled, suppliers must bid for all 100 units.v When a supplier places a bid, the item is awarded to the supplier.

After the Processor item closes for bidding, the Hard disk item is opened forbidding.v If no suppliers bid for the item for a period of 3 minutes, the price is decreased

by $ 5.v If no suppliers bid for the item at 115, the price is further decreased by $ 5. If no

suppliers bid till price is $ 90, item closes for bidding.v Since partial quantity is enabled, suppliers can place a bid on any number of

available units.v When a supplier places a bid, the quantity of items that the supplier has bid for,

is allotted to the supplier.

Dutch Reverse AuctionA Dutch reverse auction is a type of RFx that contains a list of items that buyerswant to procure. In this auction, the price of the item rises after fixed intervalsuntil a reserved price is reached. Before the reserved price is reached, if a supplierplaces a bid for the item, it is allocated to the supplier and the item closes forbidding.


The auction opens with the first item with a specified start price and increases bythe price change value (amount or percentage) after a fixed interval. The start pricekeeps on increasing until any supplier places a bid or the start price reaches thereserved price. After the bidding is closed for the item it moves to another itemsequentially.


Auction flow

The following table displays configuration settings for a Dutch reverse auction.

Table 22. Example for Dutch Reverse Auction


Startprice

Reservedprice

Pricechange

Pricechangetime




At the scheduled time of bidding, the first item in the auction - Processor - isopened for bidding at $ 50.v If no suppliers bid on the item for a period of 3 minutes, the price is increased


bidding.v Since partial quantity is not enabled, suppliers must bid for all 100 units.v When a supplier places a bid, the item is awarded to the supplier.


After the item - Processor - closes for bidding, the item - Hard disk - is opened forbidding.v If no suppliers bid on the item for a period of 3 minutes, the price is increased


bidding.v Since partial quantity is enabled, suppliers can place a bid on any number of

available units.v When a supplier places a bid, the quantity bid is allotted to the supplier.

Japanese Forward AuctionA Japanese forward auction is a type of RFx that contains a list of items thatbuyers want to sell. Bidding for each item takes place individually. You can bid forone item at a time.

In this auction, the price of the item increases automatically after a fixed timeinterval. The value by which the price change occurs is defined by the buyer userin different steps. The buyer user can define multiple steps with differentincremental values for the price changes. The auction remains open until nosupplier is remaining to bid.

In this auction, if the suppliers wants to continue in the auction process, it ismandatory for the suppliers to submit the bid at each price change step. If thesupplier does not bid for the item, the supplier is withdrawn from the line item.The supplier can however, bid for other items. Suppliers can be invited to theauction in the middle of the event, but they can bid only for those items that are inthe Pending state.

Buyer users can now extend the Japanese auctions even after all the suppliers havewithdrawn from the bidding process by configuring thejapanese.auction.extension.in.steps= property in the ConfigurationManagement section of the Utilities menu. If the property is configured, theauction is extended by that many steps for each item.


If suppliers are revoked from the event, all valid bids submitted by the supplierare invalidated.



Items that have not closed automatically are available for bidding. If any item isclosed in between, the auction for that item begins from where it was stopped. The‘Current unit price’ reflects the price that was in effect when the auction closed.Suppliers who have been eliminated from the line item cannot bid for the item.They can only participate for the items that are pending.

Chapter 4. RFx 33

Process

In this auction, the buyer specifies the following values:v Start price - the price at which the auction begins.v Step - the step number on which the price of the item increases after the fixed

intervalv Value - the amount or percentage by which the price increases.

The auction begins at the start price and after a fixed time interval the price of theitem increases by the value that is defined for the step. All bidders, who want tobid for the item at the current price and want to remain in the auction, mustsubmit bids.

The suppliers must submit the bids in the “Interval between price change”. Theitem price keeps increasing by the value that is set for the step until no supplier isremaining to bid in the auction.

Auction flow

The following table displays configuration settings for a Japanese forward auction.

Table 23. Configuring Japanese Forward Auction


Pricechangetime

Pricechange

1 Processor $30 1 $5 2 mins 35, 40

3 $3 43, 46, 49,52

7 $1 53...

2 Hard disk $100 1 $5 2 mins 105, 110

3 $3 113, 116,119

6 $1 120...

In the table, for the processor item , the Step column defines steps on which theprice will change. On Step 1, the price change will be $5, The next step mentionedis 3. So, in step 1 and 2 of the auction, the price will rise by $ 5 and in step 3 ofthe auction the price will rise by $ 3 untill step 7. On step 7 of the auction, theprice will rise by $ 1 and from there on continue to rise by $1 untill no supplier isremaining.




item rises by $ 5 which is the price change for Step 1. Hence, the price of theprocessor now becomes $ 35.



4. After a lapse of two minutes, in step 2 of the auction, the price of the processorfurther rises by $ 5 as the price change of $5 is for step 1 to step 2. Hence, theprice of the processor now becomes $ 40 and suppliers, to whom the currentprice is acceptable show their willingness by clicking Submit bids.

5. Now, after a lapse of two minutes, in step 3 of the auction, the price of theprocessor rises by $ 3 as mentioned in the Japanese Forward Auction table,against step 3. This price continues to rise by $ 3 till the next step that ismentioned, here, step 7. So till step 7, the price rises by $ 3 and then on step 7the price rises by $ 1.


Japanese Reverse AuctionA Japanese reverse auction is a type of RFx in which the price of the itemdecreases automatically after a fixed time interval. The value by which the pricechange occurs is defined by the buyer user in different steps. The buyer user candefine multiple steps with different decremental values for the price change.

In this auction, if the suppliers wants to continue in the auction process, they mustsubmit the bid at each price change step. If a supplier does not bid for the item,the supplier is withdrawn from the auction of that item. The supplier can however,bid for another item. The auction remains open until no supplier is remaining tobid or the price falls to the minimum possible value.

The RFx contains a list of items that buyers want to procure. Bidding for each itemtakes place individually. Only one item can be bid at a time.

Process

In this auction, the buyer specifies the following values:v Start price - the price at which the auction begins.v Step - the step number on which the price of the item decreases after the fixed

intervalv Value - the amount or percentage by which the price decreases.

The auction begins at the start price and after a fixed time interval the price of theitem decreases by the value that is defined for the step. All suppliers, who canprovide the item at the current price and want to remain in the auction, mustsubmit bids.

The suppliers must submit the bids in the “Interval between Price change”. Theitem price keeps decreasing by the value that is set for the step until no supplier isremaining to bid in the auction or the item price becomes zero.

Buyer users can now extend the Japanese auctions even after all the suppliers havewithdrawn from the bidding process by configuringthe japanese.auction.extension.in.steps= property in the ConfigurationManagement section of the Utilities menu. If the property is configured, theauction is extended by that many steps for each item.

Hence, the next item is not opened for bidding or the auction is not closed. Thestatus is of the event is Extended in the Monitoring tab. The default value of the

Chapter 4. RFx 35

property is 0. An integer value must be configured to extend the auction by thatmany steps for each item in the auction.



Items that have not closed automatically are available for bidding. If any item isclosed in between, the auction for that item begins from where it was stopped. The‘Current Unit Price’ reflects the price that was in effect when the auction closed.Suppliers who have been eliminated from the line item cannot bid for the item.They can only participate for the items that are pending.

Auction flow

The following table displays configuration settings for a Japanese Reverse Auction.

Table 24. Configuration settings for Japanese Reverse Auction


Pricechangetime

Pricechange

1 Processor $30 1 $5 2 mins 25, 20

3 $3 17, 14, 11, 8

7 $1 7...

2 Hard disk $40 1 $5 2 mins 35, 30

3 $3 27, 24, 21,

6 $1 20...

In the Configuration settings for Japanese reverse auction table, for the processoritem, the Step column defines steps on which the price will change. On Step 1, theprice change will be $5, The next step mentioned is 3. So, in step 1 and 2 of theauction, the price will fall by $ 5 and in step 3 of the auction the price will fall by$ 3 till step 7. On step 7 of the auction, the price will fall by $ 1 and from there oncontinue to drop by $1 till no supplier is remaining or the price becomes zero.




drops by $ 5 which is the price change for Step 1. Hence, the price of theprocessor now becomes $ 25.


4. After a lapse of two minutes, in step 2 of the auction, the price of the processorfurther drops by $ 5 as the price change of $5 is from step 1 to step 3. Hence,the price of the processor now becomes $ 20. Suppliers, to whom the currentprice is acceptable show their willingness by clicking Submit Bids.

5. After a lapse of two minutes, in step 3 of the auction, the price of the processordrops by $ 3 as mentioned in the Japanese Reverse Auction table against step 3.


This price continues to drop by $ 3 till the next step that is mentioned, here,step 7. So till step 7, the price drops by $ 3 and then on step 7 the price dropsby $ 1.


Responding to Buyer Surveys

Procedure

To respond to a buyer survey, complete the following steps:1. Open the Buyer survey.2. Click the Monitor tab.3. Click Place Response for the sections that you want to respond to.4. On the Create Response page, respond to the questions, click Save and then

click Close.5. On the Monitor tab, click Submit All Draft Responses.

Note: The Submit All Draft Responses button is available only if draftresponses are enabled in your configuration, else the responses are submittedautomatically. The icon indicates that the response is in draft mode and the icon indicates that the response is submitted.

Responding Offline - Buyer SurveysYou can respond to a buyer survey offline when you are importing data from otherapplications, involving organization members who do not have access to theapplication, or you want to reply to a long list of sections using a singlespreadsheet.

About this task

You can export RFx information to a template for responding offline in thefollowing formats:v Excelv CSV

Procedure

To respond offline to a buyer survey, complete the following steps:1. Export the buyer survey in a template to respond offline. To export the buyer

survey, complete the following steps:a. Open the buyer survey.b. Go to the Monitor tab.c. Click Respond Offline.d. On the Respond Offline dialog box, select the Download offline bidding

template option, and then click OK.e. Select a file type option, and click Export.

2. Open the exported template, and respond to the sections.3. Import the RFx template in the application. To import the buyer survey,

complete the following steps:

Chapter 4. RFx 37

a. Open the buyer survey.b. Go to the Monitor tab.c. Click Respond Offline.d. On the Respond Offline dialog box, select the Import bids option, and then

click OK.e. Select the file and file type, and then click Import.

Results

You can use the Data Manager to track the status of the import and export tasks.To open the Data Manager, on the Utilities menu, click Import/Export > DataManager.

Editing Buyer Survey Responses

Procedure

To edit a buyer survey response, complete the following steps:1. Open the Buyer survey.2. Click the Monitor tab.3. Click Revise Response for the sections that you want to edit.4. On the Edit Response page, respond to the questions.5. Click Save and then click Close.6. On the Monitor tab, click Submit All Draft Responses.

Note: The Submit All Draft Responses button is available only if draftresponses are enabled in your configuration, else the responses are submittedautomatically. The icon indicates that the response is in draft mode and the icon indicates that the response is submitted.

Responding to RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs

Viewing Invitations

Procedure

To view an invitation, complete the following steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View Invitations.2. On the Accepted tab, click the folder corresponding to the RFx that you want

to view. The frame displays the Sections and Items.3. Click the folder corresponding to the sections or items. The frame displays the

agents invited for the sections or items.

Note: Similarly you can view the Declined and the New invitations from theDeclined and New tabs.

Accepting New InvitationsYou can accept new invitations as well declined invitations (Only the SupplierApplication Managers can accept the declined invitations) from the Bids menu.


Procedure

To accept a new invitation, complete the following steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View RFxs.2. Click View/Respond to RFx for the RFx that you want to accept.3. On the RFx page, click Accept.4. If the Accept Invitation page displays preliminary bids, select the bids if you

want to accept them or clear the respective check boxes if you want to rejectthem.

Note: In an English reverse or forward auction, buyers may have enteredpreliminary bids on behalf of suppliers. The initial bids appear on the AcceptInvitation dialog box. You can accept or reject the preliminary bids before youaccept the invitation but you cannot modify preliminary bids.

5. Click OK on the Accept Invitation dialog box.

Accepting Declined InvitationsYou can accept new invitations as well previously declined invitations (Only theSupplier Application Managers can accept the declined invitations) from the Bidsmenu.

Procedure

To accept a declined invitation, complete the following steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View Invitations.2. Click the Declined tab.3. Select the declined RFx that you want to accept.4. Click OK on the Accept Invitation dialog box.

Declining Invitations

Procedure

To decline an invitation, complete the following steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.2. Click View/Respond to RFx for the RFx for which you want to decline the

invitation.3. On the RFx page, click Decline.4. Click OK on the Decline Invitation dialog box.

Withdrawing from an RFxOnly the Supplier Application Managers can withdraw from an RFx

Procedure

To withdraw from an RFx, complete the following steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View Invitations.2. On the Accepted tab, select the RFx from which you want to withdraw the

invitation.3. Click Withdraw.

Chapter 4. RFx 39

4. Click OK on the confirmation dialog box.

Inviting AgentsOnly the Supplier Application Manager can invite agents. To invite agents, supplierapplication managers must first accept invitations to the RFx.

Procedure

To view an agent, complete the following steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View Invitations.2. On the Accepted tab, click the folder corresponding to the RFx for which you

want to invite agents.3. Select an option from the following table and follow the relevant instructions:

Type of Invitation Procedure

Entire RFx (RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, andauctions)

1. In the Invited Agents frame, click InviteFor RFx.

2. On the Invite Agents page, use thesearch button to search for suppliers.

3. Select the agents that you want to invite,and then click Invite for RFx.

Selected sections (RFIs and RFPs) 1. Click the Sections tab in the middleframe. (For RFPs only.)

2. In the Invited Agents frame, click InviteBy Section.

3. On the Invite Agents page, click thefolder icon corresponding to the section.

4. In the Suppliers pane, use the searchbutton to search for suppliers.

5. Select the agents that you want to invite,and then click Invite By Section.

Selected items (RFPs, RFQs, and auctions) 1. Click the Items tab in the middle frame.(For RFPs only.)

2. In the Invited Agents frame, click theInvite For Item button.

3. On the Invite Agents page, click thefolder icon corresponding to the item.

4. In the Suppliers pane, use the searchbutton to search for suppliers.

5. Select the agents that you want to invite,and then click Invite For Item.

Responding to SectionsYou can respond to a sections from the Bids menu for RFIs and RFPs.

Procedure

To respond to a section, complete the following steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.2. Click View/Respond to RFx for the RFx that you want to respond to.


3. Click the Sections tab. (Not applicable to RFIs)4. Click Place Response for the sections you want to respond to.5. On the Create Response page, provide answers to the questions.6. Click Save, and then click Close.7. On the Section page, click Submit All Draft Responses.

Note:

v The Submit All Draft Responses button is available only if the draftresponses are enabled in your configuration, else the responses are submittedautomatically. The icon indicates that the response is in draft mode andthe icon indicates that the response is submitted.

v For a currency or decimal type question, the value entered in terms ofpercentage is converted into its decimal equivalent. For example, if you enterthe value as 55%, on saving or exiting the field, the value is displayed as0.55.

Editing Section ResponsesYou can edit your response to a section from the Bids menu for RFIs and RFPs.

Procedure

To edit a questionnaire response, complete the following steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.2. Click View/Respond to RFx for the RFx that you want to respond to.3. Click the Sections tab. (Not applicable to RFIs)4. Click Revise Response for the questionnaire whose response you want to

modify.5. On the Edit Response page, make the required changes.6. Click Save, and then click Close.7. On the Sections page, click Submit All Draft Responses.

Note:

v The Submit All Draft Responses button is available only if the draftresponses are enabled in your configuration, else the responses are submittedautomatically. The icon indicates that the response is in draft mode andthe icon indicates that the response is submitted.

v For a currency or decimal type question, the value entered in terms ofpercentage is converted into its decimal equivalent. For example, if you enterthe value as 55%, on saving or exiting the field, the value is displayed as0.55.

Responding OfflineYou can respond offline when organization members do not have access to theapplication or you must reply to a long list of sections or bid on many items on asingle spreadsheet.

About this task

You can export RFx information to a template for bidding or responding offline inthe following formats:v Excel

Chapter 4. RFx 41

v CSV

Procedure

To bid or respond to an RFx offline, complete the following steps:1. Export the RFx in a template to respond offline. To export the RFx in a

template, complete the following steps:a. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.b. Click View/Respond to RFx corresponding to the RFI.c. Click Respond Offline.d. On the Respond Offline dialog box, select the Download offline bidding


2. Open the exported template, and respond to the sections.3. Import the RFx template in the application. To import the RFx template,

complete the following steps:a. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.b. Click View/Respond to RFx corresponding to the RFI.c. Click Respond Offline.d. On the Respond Offline dialog box, select the Import bids option, and then


Results


Comparing Section ResponsesYou can respond to a section from the Bids menu for RFIs and RFPs.

About this task

If you are a supplier application manager and have assigned a questionnaire tomultiple supplier agents, this feature helps you to compare the responses.

Procedure

To compare responses for a section, complete the following steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.2. Click View/Respond to RFx for the RFx that you want to compare the

responses for a section.3. Click the Section tab. (Not applicable to RFIs)4. Click View History for the section you want to compare the responses for a

section.5. On the View History page, select the responses you want to compare, and then

click Compare Responses.


Placing Single BidsSingle bids are bids placed on items that do not belong to a set. You can placesingle bids for RFPs and RFQs from the Bids menu.

Procedure

To place a single bid, complete the following steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.2. Click View/Respond to RFx corresponding to the RFx.3. Click the Single Bids tab.4. Click Place New Bid corresponding to the item for which you want to place a

bid.

Note:

For events that allow only one bid per item, and a bid is placed for that item,you can click Revise Bid and modify the bid value.

5. On the Simple Bids tab, enter information in the bid fields.For information on a particular bid field, you can point your mouse to the bidfield name, a message box with information on the bid field is displayed.

6. Click Save, and then click Close.7. On the Single Bids page, click Submit All Draft Bids.

Note:

The Submit All Draft Bids button is available only if draft bids are enabled inyour configuration, else the bids are submitted automatically.

Getting Bid SuggestionsSupplier users can get bid suggestions only if Optimization Feedback is enabledby the buyer organization. You can get the bid suggestions for RFPs and RFQsfrom the Bids menu.

Procedure

To place a single bid, complete the following steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.2. Click View/Respond to RFx corresponding to the RFx.3. Click the Single Bids tab.4. On the Simple Bids page, click Bid Suggestions.5. On the Bid Suggestion Matrix page, select the bids you want to use, and then

click Submit.6. On the Single Bids page, click Submit All Draft Bids.

Note:


Placing Multi BidsMulti bids can be placed for RFPs and RFQs from the Bids menu.

Chapter 4. RFx 43

Procedure

To place multi bids, complete the following steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.2. Click View/Respond to RFx corresponding to the RFx.3. Click the Multi Bid tab.4. On the Multi Bid page, complete the following steps:

a. Use the Bidding Action field to indicate if you want to create a new bid oredit the last bid.

Note: For events that allow only one bid per item, and a bid is placed forthat item, you can only modify the bid.

b. Enter information in the bid fields for the various items.5. Click Save Bids.6. Click Submit All Draft Bids.

Note:


Placing Volume Discount BidsVolume Discount bids can be placed for RFPs and RFQs from the Bids menu. Youcan enter volume discount bids only if volume discount bidding is enabled by thebuyer organization.

Procedure

To place a volume discount bid, complete the following steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.2. Click View/Respond to RFx corresponding to the RFx.3. Click the Single Bid tab.4. Click Place New Bid corresponding to the item for which you want to place a

bid.5. On the Create Bids page, click the Volume Discount Bid tab.6. On the Volume Discount Bid tab, select the Make this a step volume discount

option if you want to create a step discount bid.7. Enter information in the bid fields, and click Add New or Modified Set. The

set is displayed in the Volume Discount Summary section.8. To add more sets, click Create Set.9. After you add all the sets for the volume discount bid, click Save, and then

click Close.10. On the Single Bids page, click Submit All Draft Bids to submit the discount

bid.

Note:



Placing Bundled BidsBundled bids can be placed for RFPs and RFQs from the Bids menu. You can enterbundled bids only if bundle bidding is enabled by the buyer organization. To placea bundled bid comprising of multiple items, you must first place a single bid onthe individual items.

Procedure

To place a bundled bid, complete the following steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.2. Click View/Respond to RFx corresponding to the RFx.3. Click the Single Bid tab.4. Click Place New Bid corresponding to the item for which you want to place a

bundled bid.5. On the Create Bids page, click the Bundled Bid tab.6. Select the items that you want to bundle together, and then click Create

Bundled Bid. (You may need to expand the items to display the bids.)7. Enter a name for the bundle, select the check boxes if required, and then click

Add to Bundled Bid.

Note:

If you do not select either of the check boxes, both the simple bids and thebundled bid will be valid and you could be considered for both the bids.

8. To apply discount to items in the bundle, complete the following steps:a. On the Manage Bundled Bid page, select the items to which you want to

apply a discount, and then click Apply Discount to Bundle Bid.b. On the Discount page, enter the discount in the relevant fields and then

click OK.c. Click Close.

9. To add more bids to the bundle, complete the following steps:a. On the Manage Bundled Bids page, click Add Bids to a Bundle.b. On the Add Bids to a Bundle page, select the single bids you want to the

bundle, and then click Add Bid to Bundle.c. Select the check boxes if required, and then click Add to Bundled Bid.

10. On the Manage Bundled Bids page, click Close.11. On the Single Bids page, click Submit All Draft Bids to submit the bid.

Note:


Editing BidsYou can edit the submitted bids for RFPs and RFQs from the Bids menu.

Procedure

To edit or revise bids, complete the following steps:1. Open the RFx.

Chapter 4. RFx 45

2. On the Single Bid tab, click Revise Bids/History corresponding to any of theitems for which you want to place a bundled bid.

Note: For events that allow only one bid per item, and a bid is placed for thatitem, you can also click Revise Bid and modify the bid value.

3. On the View Bids page, click Revise Bid corresponding to the bid you want toedit.

4. Make changes to the bid as per your requirements.5. Click Save and then click Close.6. On the Single Bids page, click Submit All Draft Bids.

Note:


Comparing Bids in RFPs and RFQsYou can compare bids in RFPs and RFQs from the Monitor tab of EmptorisSourcing.

About this task

You can compare bids to do the following actions:v To analyze bids before running optimization scenarios.v Compare bids based on different bid fields, including price.v To eliminate bids that do not meet your requirements.

Procedure

To compare bids, complete the following steps:1. Open the RFx.2. Click the Monitor tab.3. On the Monitor tab, click the Items tab.4. In the Items frame, click the folder corresponding to the item for which you

want to compare bids.5. In the Bids frame, select the bids you want to compare, and then click Compare

Bids.By default, price per unit has a weight of 100. If you have additionally definedbid fields, you can assign weights to the fields, and also score them. The totalbid scores are updated when you change the weight values. This helps inevaluating bids based on the importance of different bid fields.

Creating Business Volume DiscountsSuppliers can create business volume discounts for RFPs, RFQs, and Englishauctions. Suppliers can provide business volume discounts only if it is enabled bythe buyer organization.

Procedure

To provide business volume discounts, complete the following steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View RFxs.


2. Click View/Respond to RFx corresponding to the RFx.3. Click Manage Business Volume Discounts.4. On the Business Volume Discounts page, click Create.5. On the Create Business Volume Discount Schedule page, complete the

following steps:a. Select the categories for which you want to apply the discount.b. In the Discount Schedule area, from the Currency Type list, select a

currency that you want to use for the discount.c. Enter the volume, discount, and discount type for the business volume

discount.d. Add additional volume discounts if you want.e. Click Save, and then click Close.

6. The Business Volume Discount created is listed on the Manage BusinessVolume Discounts page.

7. On the Business Volume Discounts page, click Close.

Creating ConstraintsSuppliers can create constraints for RFPs and RFQs. Suppliers can createconstraints only if it is enabled by the buyer organization.

Procedure

To create a constraint, complete the following steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View RFxs.2. Click View/Respond to RFx corresponding to the RFx.3. On the Single Bid page, click Manage Constraints.4. On the Manage Constraints page, click Create.5. On the Create Business Constraint wizard, complete the following steps:

a. Enter the name and description, and then click Next.b. Select the scope for the constraint.c. If you want to apply the same capacity constraint, individually, on all the

items in your selection, select the Apply to each of the selected items, lotsor categories? check box, and then click Next.

d. On the Specify Bids page, select the bids for which you want to apply theconstraint, and then click Next.

e. Select the units, and then click Next.f. Enter the maximum amount that you can supply in the Maximum Amount

to Award box, and then click Done.

Note:

After you create a constraint, buyers can view and use them for creatingscenarios to analyze bids.

Responding to Auctions

Placing Bids in AuctionsYou can place bids for English reverse and forward auctions using by followingthis procedure.

Chapter 4. RFx 47

About this task

Bidding on Forced Lots

When entering bids on forced lots, you must enter bids on all items at one time.

The following icons are available when bidding:v Minimum Bid Change Icon: Click this icon to enter a bid using the

minimum bid change setting.v Take Lead Icon: Clicking this icon, enters a bid, by the minimum bid change,

that is better than the current best bid.v : Displays requirements for forced lots

Procedure

To bid on items in English auctions, complete the following steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.2. Click View/Respond to RFx corresponding to the RFx.3. On the Status Area tab, click Bid corresponding to the item.4. In the Bidding Area frame, enter the bid.

This could involve entering information in one or more bid fields.5. Click Submit Bids.6. Click OK on the confirmation dialog box.

Placing Discount Bids in AuctionsYou can place discount bids for English reverse auctions.

About this task

The following icons are available when bidding:v Minimum Bid Change Icon: Click this icon to enter a bid using the

minimum bid change setting.v Take Lead Icon: Clicking this icon, enters a bid, by the minimum bid change,

that is better than the current best bid.

Procedure

To place discount bids on items in English reverse auctions, complete the followingsteps:1. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.2. Click View/Respond to RFx corresponding to the RFx.3. On the Status Area tab, click Bid corresponding to the item.4. In the Bidding Area frame, enter the bid.

This could involve entering information in the My Discount field and other bidfields.

5. Click Submit Bids.6. Click OK on the confirmation dialog box.

Editing Bids in AuctionsYou can edit bids for English reverise and forward auctions.


Procedure

To edit bids on items in English auctions, complete the following steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.2. Click View/Respond to RFx corresponding to the RFx.3. On the Status Area tab, click Bid corresponding to the lot or item that your

want to edit.4. In the Bidding Area frame, make the necessary changes and click Submit Bids.5. Click OK on the confirmation dialog box.

Placing Proxy Bids in AuctionsYou can place proxy bids for English reverse and forward auctions using byfollowing this procedure.

Procedure

To place proxy bids in English auctions, complete the following steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.2. Click View/Respond to RFx corresponding to the RFx.3. On the Status Area tab, click Bid corresponding to the item.4. In the Bidding Area frame, click Define Proxy Rules.5. In the Proxy Setup column, enter the floor price (or ceiling price for forward

auctions), and then click Yes.

6. Click the Save Proxy Setup icon.

Placing Bids in Staggered AuctionsYou can place bids in auctions with staggered closing for English reverse andforward auctions.

Procedure

To place bids in English auctions with staggered closing, complete the followingsteps:1. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.2. Click View/Respond to RFx corresponding to the RFx.3. Go to the Simple View tab.4. In the Bidding Area frame, enter the bid. This could involve entering

information in one or more bid fields.5. Click Submit Bids.6. Click OK on the confirmation dialog box.

Taking the LeadYou can take lead for English reverse and forward auctions.

About this taskv Depending on the configuration of the RFx, you may or may not see the Taking

the Lead

icon.v This feature is not available for the first bid.

Chapter 4. RFx 49

Procedure

To take the lead in English auctions, complete the following steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.2. Click View/Respond to RFx corresponding to the RFx.3. On the Status Area tab, click Bid corresponding to the item.4. Click the Taking the Lead

icon. The system automatically enters the

information in the bid fields.5. Click Submit Bids.6. Click OK on the confirmation dialog box.

Placing Bundled Bids in AuctionsYou can place bundled bids for English reverse auctions.

Procedure

To place a bundled bid on items in an English reverse auction, complete thefollowing steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.2. Click View/Respond to RFx corresponding to the RFx.3. On the Status Area tab, click Bundle Bid.4. On the Manage Bundled Bid page, select the items you want to bundle, and

then click OK.5. In the Bidding Area frame, enter the bid. This could involve entering

information in one or more bid fields.6. Click Submit Bundle Bid.7. On the Confirm Bids to Save dialog box, enter a name for the bundle, and

then click OK.

Editing Bundled Bids in AuctionsYou can place bundled bids only for English reverse auctions.

Procedure

To edit a bundled bid on items in an English reverse auction, complete thefollowing steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.2. Click View/Respond to RFx corresponding to the RFx.3. Click Bid corresponding to the bundled bid.4. To change the items within the bundle, click Change Bundle.5. On the Manage Bundled Bid page, modify the bundle, and then click OK.6. In the Bidding Area frame, enter the bid. This could involve entering

information in one or more bid fields.7. Click Submit Bundle Bid.8. On the Confirm Bids to Save dialog box, click OK.

Responding to Dutch AuctionsSuppliers can respond to Dutch auctions by submitting bids for the items at thedisplayed price.


About this task

Please note the following when bidding in Dutch reverse auctions:v A Dutch reverse auction can contain multiple items, the current item is

highlighted and you can only place a bid on the current item in the auction.v The item is closed for bidding after the reserved price is reached.v The item is closed for bidding as soon as bids fulfilling the minimum quantity

required by buyer are received.v The status area displays the auction configuration, current status of items and

bids placed.

Procedure

To respond to a Dutch auction, complete the following steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.2. Click View/Respond to RFx corresponding to the RFx.3. On the auction page, click Accept. On the bidding area frame, the auction

status is displayed as Current.4. In the Bidding Area frame, click Submit Bid.5. On the Confirm Save Bid window, click OK. The status of the auction changes

to Submitted.

Responding to Japanese AuctionsSuppliers can respond to Japanese Auctions by placing bids on regular intervals asper the configuration.

Procedure

To respond to a Japanese Auction, complete the following steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.2. Click View/Respond to RFx corresponding to the RFx.3. On the auction page, click Accept. On the bidding area frame, the auction

status is displayed as Current.4. In the Bidding Area frame, click Submit Bid.5. On the Confirm Save Bid window, click OK. The status of the auction changes

to Submitted. After the price change interval, the Price per Unit of the itemchanges by the price change amount for the step. The bidding time begins forthe next bid.

6. Click Submit Bid.

Note: You must click Submit Bid for each bidding cycle to remain in theauction. To move out of the auction of the line item do not bid for the item.

Responding OfflineYou can respond offline when organization members do not have access to theapplication or you must reply to a long list of sections or bid on many items on asingle spreadsheet.

Chapter 4. RFx 51

About this task

You can export RFx information to a template for bidding or responding offline inthe following formats:v Excelv CSV

Procedure

To bid or respond to an RFx offline, complete the following steps:1. Export the RFx in a template to respond offline. To export the RFx in a

template, complete the following steps:a. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.b. Click View/Respond to RFx corresponding to the RFI.c. Click Respond Offline.d. On the Respond Offline dialog box, select the Download offline bidding


2. Open the exported template, and respond to the sections.3. Import the RFx template in the application. To import the RFx template,

complete the following steps:a. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.b. Click View/Respond to RFx corresponding to the RFI.c. Click Respond Offline.d. On the Respond Offline dialog box, select the Import bids option, and then


Results


Exporting Line Item InformationYou can export the line item information to view item information when creatingoffline bids for RFPs, RFQs, and auctions.

About this task

Line item export is for informational purposes only and cannot be used forimporting bids.

Procedure

To export line item information, complete the following steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.2. Click View/Respond to RFx corresponding to the RFx.3. Click Respond Offline.


4. On the Respond Offline dialog box, select the Export line item informationoption, and then click OK.

5. Select the file type option, and click Export.

Results

You can use the Data Manager to track the status of the export task. To open theData Manager, on the Utilities menu, click Import/Export > Data Manager.

Viewing Award InformationYou can view the award information for RFPs, RFQs. and all auctions.

Before you begin

Buyer must enable the configuration setting for the supplier to view awardinformation.

Procedure

To view award information, complete the following steps:1. On the Bids menu, click View RFx.2. On the All Bidding RFxs taskbar, select All/Awarded option from the Status

list.3. From the Status column, click the Awarded hyperlink for the RFx whose

information you want to view. The Awards page displays the RFx and theaward details.

4. Click Close.

Attachments

Attaching FilesYou can attach files for all the events in the application. If theallow_manage_attachments_for_lockedevents property is set to FALSE in theAdmin > Configuration Management option of the Utilities menu, you cannotadd attachments till the event is locked.

Procedure

To attach a file to an RFx, complete the following steps:1. Open the RFx.2. Click the RFx Attachments link on the RFx header.3. On the Attachments page, click Add.4. On the Add Attachments dialog box, enter the following information:

a. Enter a name for the attachment.b. From the Folder list, select a folder where you want to save the attachment.c. From the Location list, select the location from where you want to add the

attachment.d. If you want to enter a description for the attachment, click the

Description icon and enter the attachment description.e. In the Attach Content field, enter the location of the attachment.

Chapter 4. RFx 53

5. Click Save.

Opening AttachmentsYou can open an attachment for RFPs, RFQs.

Procedure

To open an attachment, complete the following steps:1. Open the RFx.2. Click the RFx Attachments link on the RFx header.3. On the Attachments page, click the link under the Content column

corresponding to the attachment you want to open.

Updating AttachmentsYou can update an attachment for RFPs, RFQs. If theallow_manage_attachments_for_lockedevents property is set to FALSE in theAdmin > Configuration Management option of the Utilities menu, you cannotupdate attachments till the event is locked.

Procedure

To update an attachment, complete the following steps:1. Open the RFx.2. Click the RFx Attachments link on the RFx header.3. On the Attachments page, select the attachment that you want to update, and

click Update.4. Make the necessary changes, and then click Save.

Deleting AttachmentsYou can delete an attachment for RFPs and RFQs. If theallow_manage_attachments_for_lockedevents property is set to FALSE in theAdmin > Configuration Management option of the Utilities menu, you cannotdelete attachments till the event is locked.

Procedure

To delete an attachment, complete the following steps:1. Open the RFx.2. Click the RFx Attachments link on the RFx header.3. On the Attachments page, select the attachment that you want to delete.

4. Click the Delete icon.5. Click OK.

Searching AttachmentsYou can search an attachment for RFPs and RFQs.

About this task

You can search by:v Attachment name or file name


v User or organizationv Message typev File sizev Levelv Date created

Procedure

To search an attachment, complete the following steps:1. Open the RFx.2. Click the RFx Attachments link on the RFx header.

3. Click .4. Enter the search criteria and click Search Now. The search results are displayed

in the Attachments dialog box.

Exporting Multiple AttachmentsYou can export multiple attachments for RFPs and RFQs if the total size is lessthan 1 GB for each export job.

About this task

Users can now export the attachments from an event by using the Suppliers orLevel option from the Group Attachment by field on the Data Export window. Formore information, seev “Supplier Hierarchy while Exporting Attachments” on page 56v “Level Hierarchy while Exporting Attachments” on page 56

Additionally, when users select any of the options, the Attachment_List.xlsx file isextracted that contains complete information about the attachments. TheAttachment_List.xlsx file has the following two tabs:v Summary: Users can view the total number of attachments for each organization

and entity (section, question, lot, or an item). When you click a hyperlink in theSummary tab, folder that contains the attachments is displayed.

v All Attachments: The attachment name and file name for each attachment isdisplayed. When you click a hyperlink in the All Attachments tab, the attachedfile is opened.

Note:

v Microsoft Windows does not support more than 255 characters for folders andfile names, but Emptoris Sourcing support section name and question name tobe greater than 255 characters. If a file or folder name is more than 255characters, it is truncated ending with ~. If the file or folder name is duplicate, itis truncated ending with ~ followed by a number.

v The Attachment_List.xlsx file that is generated when the attachments areexported cannot have more than 10,000 columns and 1 million rows.

v If the file or folder name contains special characters when the attachments areexported from an event, the special characters are replaced with an underscore(_) in the extracted compressed file. For example, File&Folder.doc is displayedas File_Folder.doc.

Chapter 4. RFx 55

Procedure

To export multiple attachments, complete the following steps:1. Open the RFx.2. Click the RFx Attachments link on the RFx header.3. On the Attachments page, select the attachments that you want to export and

then click Export.4. On the Export Data dialog box, select the Suppliers or Level radio button for

the Group Attachment by field, and then click Export. The export task can betracked by using the Data Manager window.

Supplier Hierarchy while Exporting AttachmentsUsers can now export the attachments from an event by using the Suppliers orLevel option from the Group Attachment by field on the Data Export window.

If you select the Suppliers option, the attachments are extracted in the followinghierarchy:v Event

– Buyer Organization Name- Lot 1 Name > Item 1 Name > Attachment 1, Attachment 2- Questionnaire 1 Name > Attachment 1, Attachment 2- Messages > Subject 1 Name > Attachment 1, Attachment 2- Header Attachment 1- Header Attachment 2

– Supplier Organization Name 1- Lot 1 Name > Item 1 Name > Attachment 1, Attachment 2- Questionnaire 1 Name > Attachment 1, Attachment 2- Messages > Subject 1 Name > Attachment 1, Attachment 2- Header Attachment 1- Header Attachment 2

Level Hierarchy while Exporting AttachmentsUsers can now export the attachments from an event by using the Suppliers orLevel option from the Group Attachment by field on the Data Export window:

If you select the Level option, the attachments are extracted in the followinghierarchy:v Event

– Lot- Lot 1 Name > Item 1 Name > Buyer Organization > Attachment 1,

Attachment 2- Lot 2 Name > Item 1 Name > Supplier Organization Name 1 > Attachment

1, Attachment 2– Section

- Section 1 Name > Buyer Organization Name > Attachment 1, Attachment 2- Section 2 Name > Supplier Organization Name 1 > Attachment 1,

Attachment 2– Messages

- Buyer Organization > Subject 1 > Attachment 1, Attachment 2


- Supplier Organization 1 > Subject 1 > Attachment 1, Attachment 2– Header

- Buyer Organization > Subject 1 > Attachment 1, Attachment 2- Supplier Organization 1 > Subject 1 > Attachment 1, Attachment 2

Chapter 4. RFx 57

Chapter 5. Message Center Overview

In Emptoris Sourcing, you can send a text or HTML message to an individual oruser according to a particular task or event, that either requires the participation ofthe individual or is purely informational.

For example, messages are sent to all suppliers invited to an auction, when theauction is opened for bidding. Messages can also be used by buyers and suppliersto communicate with each other.

Features

You can do one of the following actions that depends on the role that is assignedto you:v Send and receive messages to other users.v Receive event notifications.v Customize messages.v Export and import messages.v Enable or disable messages.v Edit configuration and content of messages.

Message types

The following message types are found in the Message Center:v System Generated Messages: triggered in the system on specific action, such as

RFx opening/closing. Users cannot respond to these messages.v User-created messages: created by authorized users.

– Normal messages: created by an individual user that depends on the role andthe current context from where the message is initiated, and sent to selectedusers in an organization.

– Broadcast messages: created by Content Manager and sent to all users inbuyer and supplier organizations.

System administrator users can now differentiate between the system generatedand user created messages. In the Message header section, the following messageheader properties are added with the default value as TRUE:v User created message: X-Emptoris-User-Created-Messagev System generated message: X-Emptoris-System-Created-Message

Some examples for system generated messages are as follows:v Change in RFx status.v Change in opening or closing date or time of an RFx.v Cancellation of an RFx.v Changes to an item.

Viewing MessagesYou can view messages from the Message Center.


Procedure

To view a message, complete the following steps:1. On the Messages menu, click View.2. Click the link under the Subject column to view the message.

Creating MessagesYou can create and send messages from the Message Center.

Procedure

To create a message, complete the following steps:1. On the Messages menu, click Create Message.2. Select the Context from the list.3. From the To list select the group to whom the message is to be sent.4. In the Subject box, specify the subject of the message.5. Select the appropriate option in the Use Preformatted Message.6. In the Message box, enter the message text.7. Click the Attachment link and upload an attachment to the message.8. Click Send, and then OK.

Creating RFx MessagesYou can create messages, view received messages and sent messages, and createbroadcast messages, all specific to an RFx from the RFx Messages link.

About this task

Messages that are created by a buyer are automatically sent to bidders who areparticipating in the RFx.

Messages that are created by a supplier are automatically sent to the hosts of theRFx.

Procedure

To create an RFx message, complete the following steps:1. Open an RFx.2. In the Description section, click the RFx Messages link.3. On the View By RFx page, click Create.4. Provide the necessary information in the fields.5. Click Send, and then click OK in the confirmation dialog box.

Creating Auction MessagesYou can create messages, view received messages and sent messages, and createbroadcast messages, all specific to an RFx from the RFx Messages link.


About this task

Messages that are created by a buyer are automatically sent to bidders who areparticipating in the auction.

Messages that are created by a supplier are automatically sent to the hosts of theauction.

Procedure

To create an auction message, complete the following steps:1. Open an auction.2. Click the Monitor tab and then click Message.3. In the Select Contacts section, select the contacts to whom you want to send the

message.4. In the Compose Message section select a message from the Use Preformatted

Message list or enter the message in the Message Body box.5. Click Send.

Responding to Messages

Procedure

To respond to a message, complete the following steps:1. Open the message.2. Click Reply.3. From the Preformatted Message list, select a message or enter the appropriate

reply in the Message box.4. Click the Attachment link if you want to add an attachment.5. Click Send, and then click OK in the confirmation dialog box.

Note: You cannot reply to messages that are automatically generated by thesystem.

Searching MessagesYou can search the messages using subject, sent date, or message type parameters.

Procedure

To search a message, complete the following steps:1. On the Messages menu, click View > All.2. Click the Search icon on the taskbar.3. On the Search Messages window, specify one or more search criteria and click

Search Now.

Resending MessagesYou can resend the messages from the Message center.

Chapter 5. Message Center Overview 61

Procedure

To resend a message, complete the following steps:1. On the Messages menu, click View > All.2. On the Sent Messages tab, click the Subject link of the message that you want

to resend.3. On the Recipients section of the View Message window, select the recipients to

whom you want to resend the message.4. Click Resend Selected.5. If you want to resend the message to all the recipients, click Resend All.

Deleting MessagesReceived messages can be deleted. You cannot delete messages that are sent orbroadcast to various users.

Procedure

To delete a message, complete the following steps:1. On the Messages menu, click View > All.2. On the Received messages tab select the message that you want to delete.3. Click the Delete icon.


Chapter 6. Utilities Overview

You can navigate to the Utilities menu from the taskbar.

The following features are available in the Utilities menu.

Table 25. Features in Utilities

Utility Purpose

Admin v View active suppliers in the system.

v Manage your profile.

v View server details.

v Configure the properties

Import/Export v Import data into the system via XLS,XLSX, or CSV files

v Export all Supplier profiles.

v Track import and export of data.

Manage Organization v View your organization setup.

v View your organization profile.

Reports Create Reports

Manage Projects View and Manage Projects

Smart Data Library Create data fields

Editing Your User ProfileYou can edit your user profile from the Emptoris Strategic Supply ManagementPlatform. For more information on editing your user profile, refer to the IBMEmptoris Strategic Supply Management Platform Administration Guide.

About this task

You can edit only those fields for which you have permissions.

You can edit the following attributes:v Name, contact details, and addressv Passwordv Preferred language, date format, number format for Emptoris Sourcingv Preferred language, date format, number format, time zone, currency for

Emptoris Strategic Supply Managementv Landing application, notification, and performance settings

Procedure

To view and edit your user profile, complete the following steps:1. Click the Virtual Supply Master.2. On the Emptoris Strategic Supply Management header, click your user name,

and then click Profile.


3. On the General page, click Edit.4. Make the necessary changes in the fields, and click Save.5. Click Applications, and make the necessary changes in the Language, Date

Format, and Number Format field and click Save.

Note: The Language, Date, and Number format that you select here, arereflected in the Emptoris Sourcing application.

6. Click Preferences, make the necessary changes in the fields, and click Save.

Changing Your PasswordYou can change your password from the Emptoris Strategic Supply ManagementPlatform.

Procedure

To change your password, complete the following steps:1. On the Emptoris Sourcing header, click your user name, and then click

Preferences.2. On the Emptoris Strategic Supply Management Platform header, click your user

name, and then click Profile.3. On the General page, click Change password.4. In the Change Password window, enter your Current Password, New

Password, and Security Answer.5. Click Change Password.

Data ManagerData Manager is a feature that monitors the progress of batch operation (jobs) suchas optimization, import, export, report generation, awarding, and more.

Using the data manager, you can do the following activities:v Check the status of operations.v Save the exported data in your local hard disk.v Cancel a pending or a running import, export, or report generation operation.v Check for errors related to failed operations.

Importing DataYou can import data in XLS, CSV, or XML formats from the Utilities menu.

Procedure

To import data in the application, complete the following steps:1. On the Utilities menu, click Import/Export > Import Data.2. On the Import Data page, select the language in which you want to import

data.3. From the Number Format list, select the number format for the file.4. Select the type of file you want to import.5. From the Import Type list select the content you want to import.6. Select the option for Error reporting.


7. In the File box, specify the name of the file to import or click Browse to selecta file.

8. If you want to add an attachment click Add Attachment.9. Click Import.

Chapter 6. Utilities Overview 65

Notices

This information was developed for products and services offered on a worldwidebasis.

IBM may not offer the products, services, or features discussed in this document inother countries. Consult your local IBM representative for information on theproducts and services currently available in your area. Any reference to an IBMproduct, program, or service is not intended to state or imply that only that IBMproduct, program, or service may be used. Any functionally equivalent product,program, or service that does not infringe any IBM intellectual property right maybe used instead. However, it is the user's responsibility to evaluate and verify theoperation of any non-IBM product, program, or service.

IBM may have patents or pending patent applications covering subject matterdescribed in this document. The furnishing of this document does not grant youany license to these patents. You can send license inquiries, in writing, to:

IBM Director of Licensing

IBM Corporation

North Castle Drive

Armonk, NY 10504-1785

U.S.A.

For license inquiries regarding double-byte character set (DBCS) information,contact the IBM Intellectual Property Department in your country or sendinquiries, in writing, to:

Intellectual Property Licensing

Legal and Intellectual Property Law

IBM Japan Ltd.

1623-14, Shimotsuruma, Yamato-shi

Kanagawa 242-8502 Japan

The following paragraph does not apply to the United Kingdom or any othercountry where such provisions are inconsistent with local law:INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION PROVIDES THISPUBLICATION "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHEREXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIEDWARRANTIES OF NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESSFOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Some states do not allow disclaimer of express orimplied warranties in certain transactions, therefore, this statement may not applyto you.


This information could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors.Changes are periodically made to the information herein; these changes will beincorporated in new editions of the publication. IBM may make improvementsand/or changes in the product(s) and/or the program(s) described in thispublication at any time without notice.

Any references in this information to non-IBM Web sites are provided forconvenience only and do not in any manner serve as an endorsement of those Websites. The materials at those Web sites are not part of the materials for this IBMproduct and use of those Web sites is at your own risk.

IBM may use or distribute any of the information you supply in any way itbelieves appropriate without incurring any obligation to you.

Licensees of this program who want to have information about it for the purposeof enabling: (i) the exchange of information between independently createdprograms and other programs (including this one) and (ii) the mutual use of theinformation which has been exchanged, should contact:

IBM Corporation

Somers, NY

U.S.A.

Such information may be available, subject to appropriate terms and conditions,including in some cases, payment of a fee.

The licensed program described in this document and all licensed materialavailable for it are provided by IBM under terms of the IBM Customer Agreement,IBM International Program License Agreement or any equivalent agreementbetween us.

Any performance data contained herein was determined in a controlledenvironment. Therefore, the results obtained in other operating environments mayvary significantly. Some measurements may have been made on development-levelsystems and there is no guarantee that these measurements will be the same ongenerally available systems. Furthermore, some measurements may have beenestimated through extrapolation. Actual results may vary. Users of this documentshould verify the applicable data for their specific environment.

Information concerning non-IBM products was obtained from the suppliers ofthose products, their published announcements or other publicly available sources.IBM has not tested those products and cannot confirm the accuracy ofperformance, compatibility or any other claims related to non-IBM products.Questions on the capabilities of non-IBM products should be addressed to thesuppliers of those products.

All statements regarding IBM's future direction or intent are subject to change orwithdrawal without notice, and represent goals and objectives only.

This information contains examples of data and reports used in daily businessoperations. To illustrate them as completely as possible, the examples include thenames of individuals, companies, brands, and products. All of these names arefictitious and any similarity to the names and addresses used by an actual businessenterprise is entirely coincidental.


Trademarks

IBM, the IBM logo, and ibm.com® are trademarks or registered trademarks ofInternational Business Machines Corp., registered in many jurisdictions worldwide.Other product and service names might be trademarks of IBM or other companies.A current list of IBM trademarks is available on the Web at “Copyright andtrademark information” at http://www.ibm.com/legal/copytrade.shtml.

Emptoris, EMPTORIS® and device, and XCITEC® and device are trademarks orregistered trademarks of IBM Corporation.

Adobe, the Adobe logo, PostScript, and the PostScript logo are either registeredtrademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States,and/or other countries.

Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the United States, othercountries, or both.

Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT, and the Windows logo are trademarks ofMicrosoft Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both.

UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group in the United States and othercountries.

Java™ and all Java-based trademarks and logos are trademarks or registeredtrademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates.

Privacy Policy Considerations

IBM Software products, including software as a service solution, (“SoftwareOfferings”) may use cookies or other technologies to collect product usageinformation, to help improve the user experience, to tailor interactions with theuser or for other purposes.

Depending upon the configurations deployed, this Software Offering may usesession and persistent cookies that collect each user’s name, profile name forpurposes of session management, authentication, enhanced user usability, singlesign-on configuration or other usage tracking or functional purposes. These cookiescan be disabled, but disabling them will also eliminate the functionality theyenable.

If the configurations deployed for this Software Offering provide you as customerthe ability to collect personally identifiable information from end users via cookiesand other technologies, you should seek your own legal advice about any lawsapplicable to such data collection, including any requirements for notice andconsent.

For more information about the use of various technologies, including cookies, forthese purposes, See IBM’s Privacy Policy at http://www.ibm.com/privacy andIBM’s Online Privacy Statement at http://www.ibm.com/privacy/ details thesection entitled “Cookies, Web Beacons and Other Technologies” and the “IBMSoftware Products and Software-as-a-Service Privacy Statement” athttp://www.ibm.com/software/info/product-privacy.

Notices 69

http://www.ibm.com/legal/copytrade.shtml



http://www.ibm.com/privacy/

http://www.ibm.com/software/info/product-privacy

Readers’ Comments — We'd Like to Hear from You

IBM Emptoris SourcingSupplier Guide10.1.2 SaaS

We appreciate your comments about this publication. Please comment on specific errors or omissions, accuracy,organization, subject matter, or completeness of this book. The comments you send should pertain to only theinformation in this manual or product and the way in which the information is presented.

For technical questions and information about products and prices, please contact your IBM branch office, yourIBM business partner, or your authorized remarketer.

When you send comments to IBM, you grant IBM a nonexclusive right to use or distribute your comments in anyway it believes appropriate without incurring any obligation to you. IBM or any other organizations will only usethe personal information that you supply to contact you about the issues that you state on this form.

Comments:

Thank you for your support.

Send your comments to the address on the reverse side of this form.

If you would like a response from IBM, please fill in the following information:

Name Address

Company or Organization

Phone No. Email address

Readers’ Comments — We'd Like to Hear from YouIBM®

Cut or FoldAlong Line

Cut or FoldAlong Line

Fold and Tape Please do not staple Fold and Tape

Fold and Tape Please do not staple Fold and Tape

NO POSTAGENECESSARYIF MAILED IN THEUNITED STATES

BUSINESS REPLY MAILFIRST-CLASS MAIL PERMIT NO. 40 ARMONK, NEW YORK

POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE

IBMATTN: Dept 5423905 37th Street NWRochester, MNUSA 55901-6666

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

__

_

IBM®

Printed in USA

s u p p li e r g ui d e - ibm - united states · note: if the home page is set as sour cing, sour...

Documents