Frequently Asked Questions

Our benchmarking service goes to great lengths to ensure that a comparable dataset is achieved so that a true ‘apples to apples’ comparison can be made. We therefore are keen to accurately profile our customers existing supply chain and then find appropriate comparisons against the key elements of the supply chain. With over 800 datasets in our database we have a very high success rate in satisfying our customers desire to be assessed against a comparable group.

The supply chains included in our dataset are many and varied and include almost every conceivable combination of supply chain from the most complex to the simplest, and with a multitude of different processes and systems. It is very unlikely that we would not have come across a customer’s situation in the past.

We encourage our customers to update their data regularly – at least every 2 years to ensure that we keep our data up to date and relevant.

We are able to supply a sample listing of the companies that are included in the aggregated grouping of companies against which a customer’s supply chain is compared.

Our customers tell us that, on average, it takes 24 manhours to collect and input the required data into the questionnaire and this typically takes an elapsed period of 2-3 weeks to completions. This period varies though depending on access to the data and the resources allocated to this project. It is imperative that the data is accurate to ensure the integrity of our database, and so we make an allowance for one of our consultants to assist with this part of the project.

Is the data is not available then we ask that you tick the “Do not know” box rather than making a guess.

Because of the amount of data to be analysed and assessed and the detailed reporting provided to our customers, an allowance of up to 2 weeks needs to be made for the processing of the data and report preparation.

The provided report includes a series of standard as well as tailored reports that measure and compare both cost performance and service performance. Based on these reports, areas for improvement in either service or costs or both are provided and presented along with a series of recommendations and ‘Pathway to Supply Chain excellence’.

Our fees are based on a fixed fee with the amount being dependent on which of the services and reports are requested.

Warehouse DIFOT is Dispatched In Full and On Time. That is, did the warehouse processes, systems and staff manage to get all orders out of the DC on time (on time to meet the delivery time ‘promised’ to the customer) and complete (i.e. in full, with no shortages).

DIFOT for distribution relates to the ability of the company, through its transport network, to deliver the ordered products both on time – i.e. as requested and agreed – and in full – i.e. without any damages or shortages.

We prefer to have a comparative group consisting of a minimum of 15 other supply chains in order to ensure statistical validity and to protect confidentiality.

We have over 800 companies in our database.

Every 2 years.

Lead time is the time taken from order capture and receipt from the customer, to the time that the order is delivered. The delivery time is based on the concept of ‘deliver to promise’, i.e. deliver at the time that has been either promised or agreed with the customer. It does not matter whether this agreed lead time is 1 day or 1 week, what is measured is ‘did we meet the customer’s expectation?’

In the Level 1 Metrics report, performance that is deemed “Advantage” represents performance that is in the top 20% of recorded results.

For over 18 years BMS has been undertaking Supply Chain benchmarking for organisations and has built up an unmatched database as well as many years of experience that ensure that the comparative group that is selected is appropriate for the company seeking benchmarking reporting.