The impact of the supply side in most firms is often far more pervasive and substantive than may first be apparent. In the simplest of terms, the supply side of the business works primarily to manage investment and minimize cost.

As a practitioner of vendor evaluations for over 20 years, I can attest to the value of the program and its impact on vendor relationships, costs, revenue, share and profitability.

One of the first things you learn about this industry is that it is a relationship-based business. The more successful companies work hard to foster strong relationships with customers and suppliers alike.