In this article, NPI’s Paul Steiner discusses the political fallout that threatens economic improvements. To fund the healthcare reforms set forth by Congress, medical device manufacturers will soon be charged a 2.3 percent excise tax on the sale of most medical devices.

The threats to and opportunities for the medical device industry over the next several years will be equally substantial. Reducing rampant vendor overspending is one way to tip the scales in favor of manufacturers. By offsetting the recent tax increase, medical device companies can commit more spend to R&D, protect jobs and innovate. And it’s faster than waiting for a political solution.

As ususal, the Walnut gives thoughtful and clear insight into emerging transportation trends. In this interview, SupplyChainBrian.com conducted an inerview at the SCOPE East Conference in Miami.

http://dev.npifinancial.com/News/TV_Media_Coverage/John_Haber_Keeping_Your_Transportation_Costs_in_Line.php

Yep, we’re offering a new resource – developed in-house by our research and delivery teams. Please sign up if you’re interested.

http://www.npifinancial.com/News/Newsletter.php

This edition’s topics include:

Watch Your SaaS – 5 Contract Pitfalls:
Think SaaS is all about savings? Think again. SaaS vendors are well trained to maximize your spend over the term of your agreement. This article will show you how to optimize your SaaS contracts for optimal savings…

NPI – A Supply Chain Optimization Partner? You Bet.
Tired of overpriced, underperforming supply chain consultants? See how American Biosurgical partnered with NPI to optimize supply chain performance well beyond the carrier contract phase…

The 7 R’s of the New Normal CIO:
Welcome to the New Normal. As a CIO or IT leader, what can you do to meet the new demands for higher workforce productivity, lower operating costs and higher efficiency within the context of today’s budgetary demands. This article takes a closer look…

Do You Really Need a 3PL?

If you think outsourcing to a 3PL is going to deliver immediate savings, think again. NPI discusses how a more rigorous spend management approach can be a faster, easier and less disruptive way to reduce costs…

Seven Ways to Reduce Shipping Costs in 2010
It’s that time of year again. NPI experts uncover the trends that will impact your spending – and ways you can reduce shipping costs before mid-year…

In this volatile business environment, saving money often means cutting jobs.  At NPI, we believe our proven price benchmarking strategies can allow you to cut costs without cutting jobs.

How does price benchmarking work and how can it benefit your business?  Quite simply, it is the process of determining the fair market value for any product or service, and then ensuring that your contracts are in line with these levels.  We find that many businesses are over paying based on telecom, transportation and technology industry price benchmarking levels.  With appropriate strategies in place, your business can negotiate contracts with more favorable terms.

Our goal is to protect your business from overspending by providing a fresh set of eyes, market based perspective and industry knowledge that allows us to uncover cost savings previously overlooked.  Effectively using our price benchmarking services to negotiate favorable contracts allows you to retain valuable human capital.  With benchmarking tools, your business retains the employees needed to be able to innovate and succeed in the future.

The strategies we offer can result in savings returns in as little as 30 to 60 days.  Savings from layoffs are often not seen for nine months or more.  We know that our price benchmarking strategies for telecom, transportation and technology results in millions of dollars of savings annually.  Don’t think that just because you have a long term contract that our strategies won’t be able to help you.  Our tools allow you to approach a vendor with a fact based discussion showing areas of over spending.  Discussions backed with price benchmarking facts can lead to contract savings for your business.

Maintain your ability to grow and succeed in these tough financial times.  Contact NPI today to implement price benchmarking strategies that will lead to cost savings without the need for layoffs.

IT and telecom expenses are typically among the largest for any organization.  Effectively using telecommunications expense management tools can lead your business to significant costs savings.  Here are some of the activities typically involved in telecommunications expense management initiative:

• An evaluation of your telecom consumption.  A typical menu of telecom services can include local, long distance and wireless phone, VPN, PBX, conferencing, email and data expenses.  Getting a handle on these variables is what telecommunications expense management is all about. 
• Establishing business-wide telecom policies.  Once you know your menu of telecom services, it is wise to establish policies for their use. Telecommunications expense management helps to ensure that all employees use the same carrier and equipment and can greatly reduce costs.
• Creating a centralized telecom management team.  Establishing a person, or group, that is dedicated to telecommunications expense management can facilitate cost savings for your business.  Ensuring your telecom team knows your inventory, approved carriers, discounts and policies prevents individual departments and locations from impacting the telecom budget.
• Identify unused or underutilized services.  For many companies savings can quickly be obtained by closing unused accounts or eliminating costs related to non-essential services.  With employee turnover and job reductions, many companies are paying for phone lines and services no one is using.
• Contract review and renegotiation.  A thorough review of your contracts and associated costs will often reveal several easy cost savings options.  Renegotiating contracts with your carriers to obtain more favorable terms is an essential component of telecommunications expense management.