7.4.1 - Purchasing process, difficulty with CAR

For comparative analysis purposes, two or more suppliers are needed. Your company should set the criteria to determine who among the suppliers has the most competitive product/service. It is very rare that all suppliers will have the same offer if you will use a number of criteria (e.g. quality, delivery, cost, etc.). If the purchasing department endorsed to me 20 suppliers to choose from, there must be a problem with their purchasing procedure.

 

Check international standards to see if are ones that relate to photographic supplies. If there are get them. Examine the criteria that is included. Assuming there is one, you ask your potential suppliers if they can supply to iso xxxxx, and the grade (different qualities within the standard). If there is only one supplier, obtain samples and if possible test certificates. Identify them and use them as comparison standards. To all other suppliers ask them to supply to the standard and grade, or give them criteria that that you now have that they can work to.(You can even create your own standard). Professional photographers may be working to contracts worth thousands, or fractions. This gives an idea of where you need to go. You can now create a list of suppliers that have different capabilities, and as orders come in you check test cert against ordered requirement ( you must countersign to show checked, and in compliance) or you can sample and check against your own internal standards ( and again show conformance)