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Sourcing and Procurement 
Glossary

Your trusted guide to exploring sourcing and procurement terms & definitions,
from the world’s leading procurement experts and companies

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Robotic Process Automation

Software robots that mimic and integrate human actions within digital systems to optimize business processes. RPA automation captures data, run applications, trigger responses, and communicate with other systems to perform a variety of tasks.

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Roll-over contract

Contract that automatically renews on expiry unless notice is given that it is not to do so

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Root Cause Analysis

Used to identify the underlying causes of problems and an approach to resolution that concentrates on factors beyond purely symptom relief.

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Routine Buy

The acquisition of known product from a known supplier.

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SCM

An abbreviation standing for supply chain management

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SEO

An abbreviation for "Search Engine Optimization".

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Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Refers to software platforms that use virtual robots to manipulate existing application software in the same way that a person processes a transaction or completes a request. It uses the existing desktop interface to access other applications and handles complex business processes with near-zero error rate. It is also sometimes referred to as "Autonomics".

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Roller-stacker shelf mechanism

A set of rotating decks or shelves within a secure container that eliminates wasted space between racks and improves security

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Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

An in-depth process or technique for identifying the most basic factors underlying a variation in performance or problem. The main focus of RCA is on systems and processes and not on individuals. It is essentially a method or series of actions taken to determine why a particular failure or problem exists and to establish a means of correcting the causes. RCA Frameworks include: Five Whys, Pareto Analysis, Cause and Effect Diagrams, Tree Diagram and Brainstorming/Interviewing.

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Routine Product/Service

Also referred to as Non-Critical Products/Services.

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SEALED

A method determined by the commissioner to prevent the contents being revealed or known before the deadline for submission of responses.

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SIPOC

Six-sigma technique where the Supplier, Input, Process, Output, Customers of a function are documented.

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