Benefits of Vendor Risk Management

Vendor risk management (VRM) is the process of ensuring that the use of service providers and vendors does not create an unacceptable potential for business disruption or a negative impact on business performance.

• Improve the quality of your services
• Reduce your costs
• Increase operational or financial efficiencies
• Expand the availability of your services
• Focus on your core business functions

The success of an organization hinges heavily on the way it manages its vendors. As vendors are crucial to your business, you should know that any negligence on their part can have a big impact on your business. Whether you are dealing with a manufacturer of your products or a multitude of service providers or more commonly, both, you should always be aware of the services being performed, and the quality being received in relation to the cost whcih is being paid.

With a vendor management solution, you’ll be able to perform your due diligence and rate your risk based on the data you have from your vendors versus the data you need. A sudden drop in the quality of services or products, for example, can mean that the vendor or supplier is cutting corners, has reduced staff and is unable to supply the best client care, and late deliveries could indicate material problems or even financial issues. With vendor management software, you have access to analytical trends and advanced “flags” that can identify risks BEFORE they adversely affect your business operations.

Vendor risk management (VRM) is a comprehensive plan for identifying and decreasing potential business uncertainties and legal liabilities regarding vendors products and services.

A vendor risk management plan is an organization-wide plan that outlines the types of behaviors, access, etc. that both company and the vendor have agreed on. This document should reflect deep consideration by both parties. Furthermore, the plan details requires testing and insurance in order to maximize the vendor’s ability to do his or her job, but without compromising the company in any way. Depending on the vendor and service or product provided, these relationships may be spelled out step by step, with checklists, to ensure that all steps are followed. The entire organization must buy into the process, and it should provide visibility to the compliance, HR, and legal teams as needed.

4 things a solid vendor risk management strategy include:

1. – A contract outlining the business relationship between the organization and the business.

2. – Consistent monitoring of vendor performance to ensure that contract stipulations are being met.

3. – Stipulations to ensure that vendors meet regulatory compliance guidelines for your industry, and a method to monitor this compliance.

4. – Guidelines regarding who will have access to what information as part of the vendor agreement.

By using a fully managed vendor management software, your organization gains valuable insights that can increase efficiency, mitigate risk, and maximize vendor performance against that plan.

Nearly all organizations need to work with vendors or third-party suppliers. Vendors supply companies with the services, equipment and parts for operations; for a long-term health care facility for example, vendors may supply telecom, cable, waste removal services, linens, furniture, food, medical supplies, furniture, elevator services, staffing, etc… Managing risks posed by a third party is a critical aspect to running a successful business.

Benefits of a managed vendor solution include:

• – Increase Efficiency with a Centralized Information Base.
• – Identify and Manage Vendor Risk.
• – Increase Vendor Performance with Metrics.

VENDOR MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS

Our Vendor Management Solution (VMS) is a discipline that enables businesses to not only cut costs but also: control expenses, drive service excellence and mitigate risks…while gaining increased visibility and value from their vendors. Through LIMITLESS’s on-line software overall vendor management, as well as – vendor expense management, is accomplished by giving you absolute visibility into your vendors and spend. No matter what the vendor or type of service they provide – companies can have a comprehensive view into their: services, contracts, rates, terms, conditions and spends through this sophisticated web-based solution.