Composite Solutions for Consumer - Driven Supply Chains : How to Control the Service - enabling Ecosystem ?

Electronic platforms for e-procurement are increasingly being adopted especially in markets seeking for cost reductions like in the automotive market. In this segment, platforms like General Motors' SupplyPower, Covisint, which is operated by European and American Manufacturers, or the Bosch dominated SupplyOn represent efforts for building electronic supply chains, integrating e-procurement and simultaneous engineering as well as leading negotiations in industry standards' (Howard et al., 2005). A study, conducted by Howard et al. showed that most benefits are generated in fields like cost reduction, strategic planning, transparency, control over spending, reduced paperwork, improved supplier and business process development.