Are you in FM? How would you sum up your supplier procurement process?

If you are worried about gaps that could leave you exposed, read on.

If you already have an efficient system for managing your supply chain and their health and safety performance then you probably don't need to read this, if however you don't have a system, or your current process is time consuming and could leave you open to risk then read on, we think we have the answer.

First of all a quick yes/no questionnaire for you:

• Does your current process for evaluating a new supplier involve lots of e-mails, attachments, spreadsheets and/or paper?
• Does it take up two things you don't have in great supply, time and resource?
• Once someone becomes an approved supplier do you struggle to keep this information up-to-date?
• Is improving your supply chain management high on your list but you just don't have the budget?

If the answer to these questions is yes we have a solution for you and it's called Samson.

So what is Samson?

Samson is a supply chain management system designed to save buyers time and cost when procuring FM services.

You only need an Internet browser and internet access on your computer to use Samson.

Access is via 'https' secure connection and we use dedicated servers over 'cloud hosting' for greater performance and security.

How does it work?

You invite your supplier to register with Samson. They complete a pre-qualification questionnaire based on what YOU need to know. We have a very comprehensive question database available to you*, or you can add your own.

Your supplier must attach copies of insurances, accreditation etc. plus anything else you need to see.

Samson will inform you that your supplier has supplied the required information. You review it and approve them. If you require clarification or further information this is done quickly and easily through the system.

What sort of information does Samson gather?

Suppliers are asked to provide information for the following areas:

• Financial Information
• Insurances
• Health and Safety Policy/Capability and Accreditation
• Equal Employment and Diversity
• Quality Management and Capability
• Environmental Management and Capability
• Ethical Sourcing

Why must I review the suppliers application?

• You have full control over who's approved and who isn't.
• Our assessment process is very quick and easy to use.
• A supplier can complete the questionnaire and be approved in 1-2 hours!
• It's part of what makes Samson such a cost effective solution.

How is my supplier information kept up-to-date?

Samson will inform you and your supplier when a critical document (an insurances policy, a piece of accreditation, an H&S policy etc) is due to expire and then again when it has expired (if no action has been taken).

Samson will ask each supplier to verify and update their information once a year.

Any suppliers failing to update or renew important documents will be moved from your list of 'compliant' suppliers to 'non-compliant'.

How much will this cost?

We have a 'free for buyers' option and a 'free for suppliers' option.

I don't have a very big supply chain.

We have no lower limits on:

• The size of the supply chain
• The size of the supplier
• The size of the questionnaire

When can I start using Samson?

Today!

We know that vendor compliance is a necessary evil but Liaison saves us time, resource and more importantly money to ensure our business remains legal and makes the management of our Vendors simple.