Sourcing Helper

Overview #

The Sourcing Helper is an AI-powered feature that helps you identify which countries may be best suited for your sourcing needs. It combines data from your Company Profile with your specific sourcing priorities to generate tailored recommendations. This ensures your sourcing decisions are guided by data, aligned with your goals, and supported by clear insights into opportunities and risks.

When to Use It #

Update and manage the Sourcing Helper when:

1. You are exploring new sourcing regions for products or services.
2. Your Network Analysis shows over-reliance on a single country.
3. You want to evaluate countries based on priorities such as cost, speed, or compliance.
4. You need a structured way to compare options before creating a Search Request.

Step-by-Step Guide #

1. Access Sourcing Helper
   • Go to Product Sourcing > Sourcing Helper from the sidebar.
2. Enter Sourcing Criteria
   • Specify what you need (product, service, or category).
   • Set priorities such as speed, pricing, quality, sustainability, or compliance.
3. Add Considerations
   • Optionally include logistics, supplier reliability, or geopolitical factors.
4. Generate Results
   • The tool provides a list of recommended countries with insights into strengths and risks.
   • Use these insights to evaluate trade-offs and opportunities.
5. Take Action
   • Use recommendations to adjust your sourcing strategy.
   • Create a Search Request to find vendors in the suggested countries.

Best Practices & Tips #

Do: #

1. Use the helper when entering new markets to compare options.
2. Align your criteria with long-term goals (e.g., sustainability or resilience).
3. Combine insights from the helper with Network Analysis for a complete picture.

Don’t: #

• Limit inputs to only one factor; more details give more accurate recommendations.
• Treat results as final – use them as a guide alongside your business expertise.

FAQs #

• How does the Sourcing Helper use my data?
  • It references your Company Profile and sourcing criteria to generate recommendations tailored to your industry, size, and priorities.
• Can I prioritize multiple factors at once?
  • Yes. You can rank or weigh priorities such as pricing, quality, and sustainability to shape results more accurately.
• How does this feature connect with others?
  • The helper works best with Network Analysis and Search Request. Use it to spot risks in current sourcing and then create targeted requests for new vendors.
• What type of insights will I see?
  • Recommendations include potential advantages, risks, and blind spots such as logistics challenges, compliance requirements, or geopolitical considerations.

Troubleshooting #

• If no recommendations appear → Ensure your Company Profile includes industries and products.
• If results feel too broad → Add more criteria or refine your priorities.
• If recommendations don’t align → Review your input fields; the helper tailors results directly from your data.

For further details or to request upload assistance, please contact us via helprequest@scopematch.com