IDC Logo; a globe followed by the letters 'IDC'

Become a Client
Become a Client

Effective Competitive Sourcing: Beyond the RFP

Drop outdated RFP practices for more flexible, agile sourcing methods.

Download Now

Free for IDC’s IT Executive Programs clients.
Not a current customer?

Download Now

Free for IDC’s IT Executive Programs clients.
Not a current customer?

Most important characteristics in selecting vendors pie chart.

Description of the Most important characteristics in selecting vendors chart

The "Most important characteristics in selecting vendors" chart is a pie chart that provides a visual representation of the characteristics that are considered most important in selecting vendors. The chart segments are not labeled with values, but their approximate values and text labels are as follows: 48% Technology capabilities, 30% Easy to do business with, 14% Their ecosystem, 7% Existing deep relationship, and 1% None of these.

Pursue efficient and flexible sourcing

The RFP as we know it is a legacy of the past, and is not always the most effective tool in competitive procurement. All too often companies follow a RFP process because it’s what they have “always done.” and get repetitive boilerplate back from vendors – all without necessarily solving the business problem the technology was intended for.

Enterprises need to forgo the old complex and lengthy RFP process and instead adopt efficient, standardized approaches to procuring IT products and services. There are better, faster ways to identify vendors, evaluate capabilities and solicit pricing through agile sourcing.

What:

IT executives will understand more about overhauling the RFP process and replacing it where possible with more agile and efficient approaches to sourcing. These approaches, based in business need, help break down walls between functional groups, while still creating a competitive environment among vendors.

Why:

Enterprises that adopt Agile Technology Sourcing report higher year-over-year revenue increases and get higher percentages of revenue from digital transformation initiatives. With budgets tightening from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the increased revenue, agility, speed, and cost savings from agile sourcing are imperative.

How:

To modernize its procurement practices, your organization needs the following steps:

  • Quantify sourcing challenges and legacy technology
  • Pursue agile sourcing
  • Follow a process
  • Follow updated RFP best practices when you do need an RFP
Most important characteristics in selecting vendors pie chart.

Description of the Most important characteristics in selecting vendors chart

The "Most important characteristics in selecting vendors" chart is a pie chart that provides a visual representation of the characteristics that are considered most important in selecting vendors. The chart segments are not labeled with values, but their approximate values and text labels are as follows: 48% Technology capabilities, 30% Easy to do business with, 14% Their ecosystem, 7% Existing deep relationship, and 1% None of these.

Explore Other Related Modules

  1. Modernizing Infrastructure for the Digital Enterprise

  2. Rationalize and Modernize Applications for the Digital Enterprise

  3. Managing and Leveraging Cloud for the Digital Enterprise

  4. Implementing the NIST Cybersecurity Framework in the Digital Enterprise

Successful DX efforts have measurable, achievable and supported goals, strategy and KPIs

IDG Environmental Policy

International Data Group is committed to protecting the environment, the health and safety of our employees, and the community in which we conduct our business. It is our policy to seek continual improvement throughout our business operations to lessen our impact on the local and global environment. We are committed to environmental excellence, pollution prevention and to purchasing products that reduce the use of natural resources.

We fulfill this mission by a commitment to:

  • Encouraging all partners to share in our mission
  • Understanding environmental issues and sharing information with our partners
  • Recognizing that fiscal responsibility is essential to our environmental future
  • Instilling environmental responsibility as a corporate value
  • Developing innovative and flexible solutions to bring about change
  • Using our platforms and position in the IT industry to promote sustainability
  • Minimize air travel to help reduce our impact on the environment
  • Minimize use of materials and energy consumption in our offices
  • Create a working environment that efficiently uses our office space
  • Develop and maintain a hybrid working model that benefits both our employees and business partners
  • Encourage employees to measure, minimize and collaborate on reducing energy consumption at home and in the office
  • Engaging employees and promoting active participation in environmental and sustainability initiatives