In the purchasing area, Finmeccanica Group Services S.p.A.'s objective is to
coordinate the contractual process relating to the purchase of
"non-core" goods and services in order to optimize costs and increase
the service level and to support the companies, including the introduction of
innovative logics and tools, in improving the efficiency and efficacy of the
procurement activities.
In order to achieve this objective, the Group Purchasing function, through
dedicated structures, is responsible for the strategic sourcing and
e-procurement activities.
In particular, the strategic sourcing activities are conducted according to
the Category Management logic via dedicated Teams consisting of business
analysts and specialists in the marketable goods sector capable of interpreting
companies' specific procurement needs, translating them through special
techniques aimed at suppliers and negotiating and signing framework agreements
(Memorandum of Understanding - MoU) which maximize the contractual power at
Group level.
Once signed and published in an appropriate area of the Group Purchasing
Portal, these agreements enable companies to purchase goods and/or services of
relevance to themselves at the best market conditions, based on a direct
relationship with the suppliers controlled by purchase orders relating to the
MoU in effect, with advantages also in terms of process efficiency.
The savings derived from applying the MoUs are certified by the companies,
in coordination with the relevant Corporate function, and according to the
aggregated volumes.
As far as the e-procurement activities are concerned, Finmeccanica Group
Services is organized using an account structure (each Company has a
dedicated Focal point) which facilitates the spread of qualifying systems and
supports the companies by providing diverse facilities:
1) TECHNOLOGY
- Platform for on-line negotiations and all the related documentation,
supporting the company, when asked, in carrying out internal procedures for the
systematic use of the on-line purchases;
- The launch of the new "SAP based" platform is scheduled for 2006
(SRM 4.0), which incorporates the requests for improvement of the
functionalities expressed by the Companies.
2) SERVICES
- Scouting for new suppliers;
- Specialist consultancy for the activities falling within the scope of the
activities carried out by Finmeccanica Group Services (Global Service, Group
ICT, etc.);
- Sharing of "best practices" within the companies belonging to the
FNM group;
- Registration, qualification and training of suppliers in on-line
negotiation;
- Intensive training course, aimed at the company buyers, in using the FNM
platform.
The main KPIs for this activity are associated with the number of buyers
trained and qualified through the issuing of a license: the volumes of
purchases transacted (the Euro 600 m from start-up of the activities has been
exceeded) and the consequent savings.
Lastly, Finmeccanica Group Services coordinates the activities of the
Professional Purchasing Family, which has about 1,000 staff in all.
