DSSI Takes e-Procurement to the Next Level

    DETROIT--May 7, 2001--Direct Sourcing Solutions, Inc. (DSSI), a purchasing services company, today announced the launch of its next-generation, online procurement application.
    Version 4.0 now delivers world-class purchasing services more efficiently by linking the entire supply chain and providing online approval while conducting business with multiple customers and unlimited suppliers via the web.
    Version 4.0 shifts traditional procurement activities to automated online functions and leverages this new technology to create a virtually hands-free purchasing environment, allowing procurement professionals to focus on more strategic activities. Functionality includes catalog shopping, on-line order status, request for quote processing, claims resolution, financial settlement and user administration. Additionally, the application is accessible through DSSI's web site, which provides users the versatility of accessing information from anywhere with a web connection.
    Implementing this new technology will allow DSSI to increase its operating efficiencies and expand its strategic activities to concentrate on additional high value-add initiatives. A greater percentage of the company's purchasing personnel will be able to concentrate on commodity strategy development, value-add/value-engineering (VA/VE) and facilitating Purchasing Roundtables with customers.
    "With the availability of this improved application, DSSI is able to increase its focus on our customer and supplier relationships," said Dennis Buckley, director of purchasing strategy. "We are now able to spend more time developing commodity and sourcing strategies as well as managing commodities."
    Since implementing version 1.0 of the application, DSSI has seen a consistent increase in the level of hands-free purchasing. Current predications call for version 4.0 to sustain a level of approximately 95% to 98% hands-free operation.
    "The value of implementing the application is tremendous," said Buckley. "We will take advantage of the functionality provided by version 4.0, and continue to deliver incremental value to our customers."
    DSSI is currently implementing the application with several of its largest customers and will provide demonstrations at the Michigan Minority Procurement Conference at Cobo Hall in Detroit, MI on May 16 and 17.

    About Direct Sourcing Solutions, Inc.

    Direct Sourcing Solutions, Inc. (DSSI) is a global provider of outsourced purchasing services. For over ten years, Fortune 100 customers have realized total cost savings through reductions in piece price for goods and services and fixed cost savings achieved by outsourcing the buying and financial settlement processes. Based in Southfield, Michigan, DSSI also has offices in Louisville, Kentucky and representatives in Europe and Asia. For more information about DSSI, visit www.directsourcing.com, e-mail mediarelations@directsourcing.com or call (248) 208-8367.