What is e-Sourcing?
e-Sourcing is a comprehensive integrated sourcing solution that encourages procurement discipline and maintain transparency to our suppliers. Maersk recommends that suppliers and partners embrace the e-Sourcing process and utilize the benefits offered by the e-Sourcing tool.
What are the benefits of e-Sourcing?
- Faster evaluation process
- Clearly defined requirements
- Structured format for submitting data
- Saves supplier time
- Compete for global business
e-Sourcing terminologies
- E-RFI (Electronic-Request for Information): Online collection of information used to shortlist suppliers.
- E-RFQ (Electronic-Request for Quotation): Online collection of quotes to either award business or shortlist suppliers.
- E-RFP (Electronic-Request For Proposal): Online collection of proposals used to evaluate and shortlist business cases.
- E-RFS (Electronic-Request For Solution): Online collection of different proposals used to evaluate and shortlist business cases.
What is an e-Auction?
e-Auctions are negotiations conducted via an online platform. Suppliers get the possibility of improving their proposals based on market feedback (e.g. rank or colour feedbacks ) and are considered to be the most transparent way of conducting negotiations. e-Auctions include both price and non-price (service level, quality, etc.) parameters to ensure the result of the auction reflect the overall best total value for Maersk.
Type of Auction
English Reverse Auction
A standard auction, suppliers to place bids for required product or services and win business by staying lowest until time runs out.
Dutch Auction
A one click auction, start price here is decided by the purchaser which is gradually increased until time runs out or until the first supplier accepts the current price.
Benefits of participating in an e-Auction
- More transparent negotiation.
- Only pre-qualified suppliers gets invited for e-Auction.
- Time efficient process.
- Helps supplier to understand “how” they performed during negotiation.
- Competitive intelligence - receive real-time market information.
- Removes geographical limitations giving suppliers the opportunity to work globally.
Checklist for a successful e-Auction participation
- Ensure that you are the right contact person with the required empowerment.
- Make sure that your company provides the service/good sourced in the event.
- Make sure that you understand the requirements/specifications applied to the service/good.
- Ensure to get acquainted with the features of the system. (use the offered help - guidelines, tutorials, Web Ex training, test events, provided support information).
- If you have any doubts please reply to the invitation e-mail or via the phone number in the e-mail with any questions, concerns or updates.
- All questions must be clarified before the e-Auction begins.
Important information
Maersk might decide to provide certain suppliers with a positive or negative handicap in order to include all cost elements in the negotiation. All suppliers must familiarize themselves with the e-Auction tool. Attempts to negotiate prices after the e-Auction will not be accepted. In case of evident and persistent violation of the rules of engagement can lead to a termination of the relationship.
Maersk e-Auction Guideline
When conducting e-auctions it is critical for Maersk that it is done fair and transparent. The e-Auction guideline describes the process, ethics and principles for how e-Auctions are conducted in Maersk. We recommend all potential suppliers to read through the guideline prior to participating in an e-Auction:
What is e-Cat? (Maersk e-Cat Product Overview)
e-Cat, or e-Catalogue, is an online platform that makes it easy for Maersk buyers to procure goods and services at prices and conditions that have been pre-negotiated between Suppliers and Maersk Procurement.
Key Features
- Ergonomically designed user Interface for quick and easy searching for suppliers and products
- Easy integration with most ERPs for an overall faster procure to pay process
- Punch-out feature enables connections to Supplier web shops, providing even more product selections
The Advantages
- Minimizes the need for RFQs
- Ensure compliance to contracts and frame agreements
- Easier for suppliers to launch and update their product offerings
- Useful in contract negotiations for both parties
- Availability of more Product information through photos and manuals
Frequently Asked Questions
Supplier Catalogue Onboarding Process
APM Contact Supplier: In this stage of process Contract owner will introduce e-Catalogue System to supplier and utilize its use and different features. This includes the basic steps on how to start the process and what are the important fields.
- Maersk Category to request Onboarding Package from the internal catalogue Team.
- The creation of onboarding package already includes the creation of Supplier's access to e-Cat System.
- Once supplier and category manager have agreed in using the e-Cat system, the supplier will then receive a training guide. A system demonstration and training will also then take place.
APM and Supplier Dialogue: In this stage of the on-boarding process happens the discussion of Category Manager and Supplier regarding the price and products that will be delayed in the e-Catalogue System.
- Supplier to fill-out the data need in the load template.
- Instructions in pre-filling the load template is already included in Onboarding Package.
- After receiving the load template that has been checked by the Category Manager, send it to e-Cat team for Sanity Checking.
Supplier to Upload to System: Once the price, products and attributes has been discussed, the supplier can now upload the catalogue in the system.
- After the e-Cat team has conducted sanity check on your catalogue, they will send it back to the supplier for upload. If there is an error in your upload, the e-Cat Team can assist the supplier to rectify the error.
- There are several details being reviewed during sanity check. One of these is if the mandatory fields are filled-out, as well as right date and price format and if the correct information from the contract is placed.
APM Approves Catalogue: The last stage will be the approval of catalogue and once it has been approved, products will be readily available in the system.
- Maersk Category Manager to approve the uploaded catalogue.
- Category Manager will check the supplier's uploaded catalogue and approve once all information has been verified.
- The approval of catalogue signifies the end of Onboarding Process.
We are excited to share that Maersk is now offering an Early Payment Program for your Maersk invoices. Whether you’re looking for a one-off early payment for a specific business need, or a steady flow of cash, we are now offering early payment program to facilitate access to affordable liquidity as and when you need it.
We have partnered with C2FO, a global leader in working capital solutions, to provide a secure online platform that enables you to receive early payments. Through the C2FO platform, you can suggest a discount on one or all of your outstanding invoices with us. If your offer is accepted, early payment will be initiated within two working days. You will receive early payment on your Maersk invoices using your current payment method.
The Maersk Early Payment Program offers you:
- Greater liquidity & improved cashflow within a few clicks.
- Improved visibility to the invoice & payment process.
- Financing option without any paperwork or additional costs.
What is C2FO?
C2FO is the technology behind our early payment programme. The C2FO platform provides a secure portal to request early payments, on-demand, on your Maersk invoices.
