CombineNet Packaging Manager™ is an advanced on-demand sourcing solution for corrugated, carton, flexible film, printed labels and other packaging materials. Delivered via CombineNet's Advanced Sourcing Application Platform (ASAP), Packaging Manager's event management, RFx/bid collection, and advanced self-service award scenario analysis capabilities enable buyers to conduct sourcing events that reduce costs and drive packaging innovation via optimization-enabled Web-based technologies.

Because packaging materials and manufacturing techniques vary widely - package dimensions, material composition, adhesives, printing processes and ink colors - any variation of these factors can have a significant effect on the total cost of your packaging. CombineNet's Expressive Bidding® feature enables your suppliers to submit proposals for your specified requirements as well as propose alternative packaging materials and innovative manufacturing processes that leverage their strengths. These creative proposals can drive significant efficiencies and cost reductions into your packaging supply chain.

Leading companies recognize the importance of independently analyzing all the cost model elements that make up their packaging spend to identify the lowest total cost of ownership. CombineNets Scenario Builder^SM enables you to quickly and easily analyze the cost impact of each element of your suppliers' proposals alongside the preferences of your stakeholders. Create, modify and run "what if?" scenarios on the fly to truly understand the total cost model, explore supply alternatives, and drive out unnecessary costs in the award of your packaging business.

Packaging can be one of the largest material costs of your finished products. Packaging can also generate the greatest potential for savings when you apply the principles of Expressive Commerce™ to your packaging sourcing strategy. Read about the impact CombineNet's Packaging Manager has had on our customers' packaging sourcing events:

• Folding Cartons
• Printed Labels

Highlighted features of CombineNet Packaging Manager:

• Item Configuration enables buyers to easily populate and manage their packaging item attributes by identifying any selection of descriptive fields (such as specification number, material type, print technology, item/material thickness and technical description), plus the option of identifying attributes that are only for use in analysis and not viewable by the suppliers (such as preferred supplier, client/buyer name and contract renewal date).
• RFx/Bid Collection Configuration ensures that suppliers submit the information that buyers need to make their award decisions. Packaging buyers can select multiple bid collection options such as: material cost/unit, delivered cost/unit, production time and material attributes.
• Event Management automates many of the steps involved with inviting, managing, and communicating with suppliers for more streamlined and efficient packaging sourcing events.
• RFI/Assessment Creator automates RFI collection and supplier evaluation/approval, and individual supplier assessments can be included in the award analysis process.

Like all of CombineNet's ASAP sourcing tools, Packaging Manager is delivered on-demand over the Internet, accessible by buyers and suppliers from any desktop computer with an Web browser, making it easy to use without requiring IT resources for installation and implementation.

Download the Packaging Manager overview, or contact us to discuss your packaging procurement needs.