Content for TS 32.101 Word version: 18.0.0
6.8 Supplier/Partner Relationship Management (S/PRM) processes
6.8.1 S/PRM Support and Readiness
6.8.2 S/P Requisition Management
6.8.3 S/P Problem Reporting and Management
6.8.4 S/P Performance Management
6.8.5 S/P Settlements and Billing Management
6.8.6 S/P Interface Management
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6.8 Supplier/Partner Relationship Management (S/PRM) processes |R8| p. 36
Supplier/Partner Relationship Management (S/PRM): This horizontal functional process grouping supports the core operational processes, both the customer instance processes of Fulfilment, Assurance and Billing and the functional operations processes.
Supplier/Partner Relationship Management (S/PRM) processes align closely with a supplier's or partner's Customer Relationship Management processes. The inclusion of distinct Supplier/Partner Relationship Management processes in the eTOM framework enables the direct interface with the appropriate lifecycle, end-to-end customer operations or functional processes with suppliers and/or partners. The processes include issuing RFPs as part of the buy process, issuing purchase orders and tracking them through to delivery, mediation of purchase orders as required to conform to external processes, handling problems, validating billing and authorizing payment, as well as quality management of suppliers and partners.
It is important to note that when the enterprise sells its products to a partner or supplier, this is done through the enterprise CRM processes, which act on behalf of the supplier or the enterprise in such cases. Supplier/Partner processes only cover the buying of services by the enterprise.
![Copy of original 3GPP image for 3GPP TS 32.101, Fig. 6.8: Suppler/Partner Relationship Management decomposition [114]](../img/tinv-32-101-6.8.gif)
Figure 6.8: Suppler/Partner Relationship Management decomposition [114]
(⇒ copy of original 3GPP image)
(⇒ copy of original 3GPP image)
6.8.1 S/PRM Support and Readiness p. 36
S/PRM Support and Readiness processes are responsible for ensuring that all necessary facilities related to the interaction with Suppliers and Partners are ready and functioning. Moreover, these processes are responsible for longer-term trend analysis and the resolution of problems related to these facilities.
These processes are also responsible for the operational introduction of S/P products and are responsible for conducting operations readiness testing and acceptance. These processes develop the procedures for the specific Fulfilment, Assurance and Billing processes and keep them up to date. After successful testing, these processes accept the new or enhanced product and perform a full-scale introduction for general availability.
6.8.2 S/P Requisition Management p. 36
S/P Requisition Management processes manage requisitions with partners/suppliers to ensure on-time and correct delivery of the product or service requested by the enterprise. This process interfaces with supplier's CRM process Order Handling.
Where several suppliers are available, these processes are responsible for selecting between the alternative suppliers with whom a relationship exists. A specification for the service component is received and the range of contracted suppliers surveyed to select the most cost-effective (cost/time trade-off).
6.8.3 S/P Problem Reporting and Management p. 36
S/P Problem Reporting and Management processes manage problems associated with supplier/partner interactions, whether identified within the enterprise or as notified by the supplier. The processes issue trouble reports or trouble tickets to supplier and partner organizations within the value chain, track them, and ensure timely and correct restoration and repair. These S/P Problem Reporting and Management processes interface with the supplier's CRM process of Problem Handling.
6.8.4 S/P Performance Management p. 37
S/P Performance Management processes track, measure and report supplier and partner performance and initiate action with the supplier/partner where this is required to restore performance. These S/P Performance Management processes interface with the supplier's CRM process of Customer QoS/SLA Management.
6.8.5 S/P Settlements and Billing Management p. 37
For a value network, and particularly for service providers, settlements and billing management is complex. In many cases, the supplier cost can be the largest single cost and incorrect settlement or billing can mean the difference between profit and loss. S/P Settlements and Billing Management processes manage all settlements and billing for the enterprise, including bill validation and verification and payment authorization. These S/P Settlements and Billing Management processes interface with the supplier's Customer Relationship Management process of Billing and Collection Management.
6.8.6 S/P Interface Management p. 37
S/P Interface Management processes manage the contacts between the enterprise and its current or future suppliers/partners for products or services. These processes are basically contact management and tracking processes. These S/P Interface Management processes interface with the CRM process of Customer Interface Management.
