DEX Software Solutions - Application Suites

DEX Sourcing
DEX Sourcing is a robust Internet-based reverse auction solution that provides access to a unique online marketplace for purchasing a wide variety of products and services.  The DEX Sourcing module is based on DEX System’s SupplyItNow™ platform, DEX’s proprietary online marketplace that boasts more than 4,000 vendors.  DEX Sourcing brings buyers and suppliers together in one place with a distinct blend of infrastructure and processes.

DEX Sourcing Overview
DEX Sourcing is one of several modules in the suite of applications developed by DEX Systems, the IT solutions division of DEX.  DEX Sourcing is a front-end extension to the Oracle® E-Business Suite, specifically designed to control and manage the entire procurement process through online reverse auctions.  The solution gives users the ability to list material and services they wish to purchase on a website and receive bids from vendors wanting to sell those materials or services through the same website.  These “reverse auctions” speed the purchasing process, provide companies with a greater span of control over their purchasing operations, and reduce overall acquisition costs.

DEX Sourcing
DEX Systems will design a client-specific customized web portal for each DEX Sourcing customer.  Purchasing organizations can then list all of their purchasing requirements on that customized DEX Sourcing portal.  Vendors can register to bid on the same portal, and once registered, they can submit sales bids for the items listed via the portal.

DEX Sourcing gives purchasing organizations unprecedented control over the purchasing process, which includes:

• Setting a maximum acceptable purchase price.  Bids submitted above this price will be automatically rejected.
• Establishing a price at which the sale is guaranteed.  A bid submitted at this price is guaranteed to get the order.  If this condition is met, the reverse auction is automatically closed.
• Setting a fixed start and stop time for the reverse auction.  Additional bids are not accepted after the auction stop time.
• Creating “invitation only” reverse auctions where bidding vendor list must be restricted.  For example, vendor certification or regulatory requirements must be met.
• Notifying registered vendors of new reverse auction opportunities daily.
• Guaranteeing that the order goes to the lowest bid.  No concerns about favoritism or other non-objective factors.
• Alerting the winning bidder through automatic notifications.

DEX Sourcing offers other time saving benefits as well.

The solution is fully integrated with Oracle Purchasing.  When the winning bid is identified, a Purchase Order (PO) is automatically created.  Moreover, DEX Sourcing also automatically generates an electronic packing list along with the PO to send to the winning vendor.  This is especially important in situations where the items being purchased are scheduled to be drop shipped to a third party.  In these cases, the purchasing organization may not want the third party receiving organization to know that the material is coming from another vendor; the packing list can reflect that the goods are being shipped from the purchasing organization itself.

Through its integration to Oracle Purchasing, DEX Sourcing can automatically access the Oracle Authorized Supplier List (ASL) to identify appropriate vendors for “invitation only” bids.

DEX Sourcing is also fully integrated with Oracle Accounts Payable.   When the material is received from the winning vendor, DEX Sourcing can even create an invoice record on behalf of the of the vendor, minimizing paperwork handling and expediting the payment process to the vendor.

Improved Management Visibility
DEX Sourcing improves visibility across purchasing operations, allowing fewer buyers to manage a broader contingent of suppliers, thus reducing acquisition costs.

Vendor performance statistics, including on-time shipments and returns, and overall delivery and shipment scores are available for vendor analysis.  Poorly performing vendors can be excluded from future bids.  Metrics include drill-downs to individual purchase orders.

Figure 1: DEX SupplyItNow screen example

Figure 2: Example of vendor bid screen

Consistent Quality
Process consistency is a hallmark of good process controls. DEX Sourcing ensures consistent and repeatable purchasing processes.  Integration with the Oracle Purchasing application guarantees a streamlined and uniform flow throughout the entire purchasing cycle.

Improved Financials 
The DEX Sourcing module ensures that purchasing requirements will always be satisfied at the lowest possible prices.  Real world experience with DEX Sourcing has shown purchase price compressions of 26% to 40%.  Automation of purchasing functions streamlines purchasing operations and reduces procurement costs.

DEX Systems – Your complete solution
DEX Systems, the IT division of DEX, was created to respond to real world problems in IT business processes.  To address those issues, DEX Systems developed application solutions that specifically address areas not handled by Oracle applications.  As a result, DEX Systems is now able to provide software solutions that have been developed, tested, and used in support of hundreds of clients worldwide.  Our clients have the ability to select one or multiple modules based on their unique needs, enjoying “best in class” software solutions for all their business requirements.

Contact us to see how DEX’s Systems can build the right software solution for your logistic operations. Contact your sales representative or DEX Systems at 888-678-9201 for more information.