3M Business Transformation is focused on reducing complexity and increasing consistency. Its aim is to globally integrate business practices, increase IT capabilities, expand processes and systems and improve response time. It also strives to achieve better business planning and faster decision making.

By automating purchase orders, payments and settlement processes, suppliers may be able to more rapidly process orders, know when and where they will be paid and obtain the receivables necessary to conduct business.

Suppliers who provide accurate ASN data may save significant time in internal accounting systems and create an environment for agile manufacturing. Electronic documents mean purchase order and invoice processes may be automated as well. This can allow for more accurate production forecasting and the ability to see where your inventory is located (in transit or warehouse). These benefits will be offered in future releases. It can also create a connection for real-time, accurate receipt confirmations.

Other benefits across the supply chain are:

• Data should be more visible and more accurate
• Data should be available for future forecasting and trending
• Data will be replenished from a pull system for efficiency and cost effectiveness
• Opportunity for less human labor required for data entry
• Potential for the reduction of inventory and its carrying costs
• Opportunity for increased use of inbound bar code load ticketing — which, in turn, speeds up inbound receiving and improves accuracy and further enables flow-through of procured materials. This should result in more timely and effective payment processes.