Different industries have vastly different requirements for suppliers, and selecting suppliers should be based on the specific requirements of the industry. The selection of suppliers by testing laboratories should also be based on their own situation (such as affiliation, scale, field of testing, financial status, etc.). For most testing laboratories, the following aspects can be considered:
1. Supplier's qualifications, management, and technical level
Any supplier providing supplies and services to laboratories should have a clear legal status, and certain specific goods also require corresponding production and business licenses to protect laboratory interests from illegal infringement in case of disputes. The management level of suppliers is directly related to the quality and ability to provide products and services to laboratories. Management level, such as whether it has passed the IS09000 quality system certification and whether its quality level meets the internationally recognized requirements specified by IS09000. The technical level of the supplier, such as whether the calibration results provided can be effectively traced, and whether the uncertainty and detection limit can meet the laboratory requirements. Whether the factory inspection of reagents and consumables can meet relevant standards and user requirements. The laboratory should choose suppliers with complete qualifications, high management level, and technical level that can meet the requirements.
2. Scale of suppliers
What is the most suitable supplier for the laboratory on what scale? This issue depends on the size of the laboratory itself, which is known as "matching households with metallurgical industry". The laboratory has very low demand and chooses suppliers with large scale. The so-called "big store deceives customers" means that once a crisis arises, the supplier must first give up your "insignificant metallurgical industry demand" and protect its important customers. On the contrary, the laboratory has a large scale and the selected supplier is not large enough. Once the laboratory demand fluctuates significantly, small suppliers often cannot guarantee timely supply and service. Therefore, it is necessary to choose suppliers that match their own scale and implement scientific management.
3. Supply capacity, speed, and stability
Suppliers should have sufficient inventory to cope with fluctuations in laboratory temporary and bulk orders, sufficient resources to provide satisfactory services to the laboratory, and the ability to organize supply according to agreed delivery deadlines and conditions. The timely delivery of necessary supplies and services to the laboratory directly affects the continuity of laboratory operations. The purchased products must undergo strict laboratory acceptance and the stability of long-term testing results should be used to supervise suppliers.
4. Service awareness
The service awareness of suppliers is one of the essential factors that laboratories must consider. Excellent suppliers will proactively think from the customer's perspective, actively cooperate with customers to improve shortcomings and enhance service levels. A good supplier will provide more assistance to the laboratory, such as on-site service, technical support services, etc. In addition, suppliers with a service-oriented mindset often have a higher level of management and advanced business concepts, making it easier for laboratories to carry out supplier management.
5. Authorization for laboratory procurement
When applying for procurement projects, laboratories should fill in the requirements and technical indicators for the purchased products as detailed as possible, and if necessary, laboratory technicians can be invited to participate in the procurement process. For laboratories without direct procurement rights, it is even more important to pay attention to the source and quality of supplies and services when applying for procurement projects, strictly carry out acceptance work, and regularly check the status of stored items.
