Welcome To The VendOp Blog

Shining the Light of Data on Supplier Spend

Sept. 18, 2019, 3:52 p.m.

Shedding light on suppliers

Before I started VendOp, I developed medical devices. A constant challenge in that work was finding, vetting and sourcing vendors who could help turn my ideas into a reality. Asking around to my coworkers, doing Google searches and reviewing old approved vendor lists in Excel never inspired confidence. It was also massively inefficient.

I wanted one single sourcing network that would show me all my company’s experiences with the suppliers we had worked with and what their capabilities and strengths were, along with the ability to …

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Do Supplier Scorecards Work?

June 11, 2019, 6:24 p.m.

Supplier Scorecard Issues

 

Does your company use supplier scorecards to rate your suppliers? If so, you have probably experienced that long, tedious questionnaire about the suppliers you’ve used months ago. But is the time you put into answering the questionnaire worth it? Does it gleam insightful information that helps your company make better purchasing decisions?

Check out this post on Spend Matters to see the pitfalls that are common to most supplier scorecard systems that companies use.

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The Best of Both Worlds? 3D Printed Injection Molds

Aug. 2, 2016, 2:58 a.m.

3D printed mold tooling

Image from http://staubinc.com/

Traditionally, the roles of 3D printing and injection molding have been clear. 3D printing is for making prototypes and injection molding is for high volume production runs. As 3D printing materials are getting better, a hybrid technique has been introduced to combine the two techniques. Now you can 3D print injection molds.

 

You will see 3D printing companies and some injection molders hailing the benefits of this technique while traditional injection molding companies are quick to point out the shortfalls. But what are the benefits and trade-offs using …

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24 Steps To Make A Tennis Ball

July 26, 2016, 9:12 p.m.

Making Tennis Balls

A video showing Wilson tennis balls being made is going around the internet. I wanted to share it here as well. They say there are 24 different manufacturing processes. Let’s see how many of the different manufacturing steps we can identify. I’ll start with an easy one, 2:00 Die cutting of felt.

1 down, only 23 more to go…..

Leave a comment with time in video and the process!

 

Steps:
2:00 Die Cutting of Felt

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Announcing VendOp Connect – See how you’re connected to potential suppliers

July 5, 2016, 5:16 p.m.

VendOp 2016-07-05 09-23-47

We received a lot of feedback from you, our users, that you would like to be able to see if you know anyone that has actually used the supplier before. We are excited to announce our beta of VendOp Connect (yes, I agree we need a better name). So how does it work?

First off, all of your suppliers are private. You choose who to share the information with. Only people you choose to connect with will be able to see your supplier list. You can add / remove vendors as well as connections at any time.

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Is 3D Printing Replacing Conventional Manufacturing?

May 2, 2016, 8:34 p.m.

3D Printing vs Traditional Manufacturing

 

It seems that everywhere you look there is a new 3D printing company popping up or a new story about a new breakthrough with 3D printing capabilities or applications. We have seen houses, jet engines, shoes, feet, medical implants and even human tissue all be created using 3D printing. The potential uses are endless. Soon manufacturing will just be a room of 3D printers that can make anything on demand. Right? Not so fast, let’s look at the realities of manufacturing using 3D …

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Peer Reviews Have Forever Changed How We Make Purchases

April 7, 2016, 11:25 p.m.

Power of reviews for B2B

 

Over the past decade, peer reviews have become a prevalent part of how we make purchases, Yelp for restaurants, Trip Advisor for Hotels, Amazon for product reviews, etc. From which restaurant to go to or what product to buy, you can find reviews on almost all of your purchases. Many studies have been done to see exactly how much these reviews affect the purchase process. B2B buyers are no different with their desire for reviews. Here is some of the information they have found.

 

 

B2B Reviews …</p><p><a href=Read More

Cost of Manufacturing Problems – Part 2 Medical Devices

April 4, 2016, 9:39 p.m.

Medical Device Manufacturing cost of mistakes

 

The repercussion for manufacturing mistakes is different from industry to industry as well as by individual case. Some of the most severe result in product recalls and litigation. In the medical device industry, manufacturing errors can cause harm and even death to the patients the devices are suppose to help. This has led to some highly publicized lawsuits and product recalls.

 

Medical devices present a challenge to manufacturing and strict guidelines to follow. Contract manufacturing facilities typically have to have special certification and capabilities such as a cleanroom. …

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Reviews Are Changing The B2B Buying Process

April 1, 2016, 7:58 p.m.

B2B buyers are talking using reviews

 

B2B buyers are doing more research and are more risk adverse than ever before. The purchase cycle is taking longer as buyers are evaluating more alternatives for each purchase. They are afraid of wasting money, wasting valuable time and losing credibility by making poor purchasing decisions. Can you blame them if you look at the repercussions?

 

Wasting time and money is the best outcome from selecting an under performing vendor. It only gets worse. Major projects can be cancelled if they fall too far behind or …

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How to Get Reviews For Your B2B company

March 9, 2016, 8 p.m.

B2B Reviews and Ratings

 

Reviews are one of the best ways to differentiate your company from competitors. They allow your customers to be your best marketing tool. In fact, 61% of enterprise buyer say that third party reviews are more important than the information on the companies website. So how do you get your customers to write reviews? Here are some simple things you can do to maximize your reviews.

 

Ask

Don’t worry about alienating your customers. Asking for reviews is now just another part of doing business. Waiting for reviews to …

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CNC Machining vs. Injection Molding, Which is the Right Choice?

Feb. 16, 2016, 4:18 p.m.

Manufacture plastic building bricks

 

When moving from design to creating your parts, you must decide how to make the parts. It the best case, you had already considered this during the design process and your design is already optimized for one of the processes. Keep in mind, during the development life cycle; the right choice might actually change. Two common methods are CNC machining and injection molding. Both of these have advantages and disadvantages when choosing between them.

 

First let’s look at each process.

CNC Machining:

A process that …

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Epic Kickstarter Failure – Why The Zano Drone Crashed and Burn!

Feb. 2, 2016, 9:20 p.m.

Zano Drone Crash and Burn

 

Another major Kickstarter project failure. This time it was the Drone. They blew away their funding goal and raised over $3.5 million to make a tiny drone with huge capabilities. This was in January of 2015. With over 12,000 backers and cash in hand, The Torquing Group set off to deliver on the project.

 

Flash-forward to November 2015, with only a handful of the promised 12,000+ drones delivered, the company announces they are shutting down. As you can expect, all the backers who shelled out $100s to be …

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Cost of Manufacturing Problems – Part 1 Tesla Motors

Jan. 24, 2016, 6:31 p.m.

Tesla Manufacturing Delays

 

Suppliers are a critical component of any company’s ability to deliver a product. Tesla Motors is no exception with their cutting edge manufacturing technologies used in their electric cars. Since the beginning for the company, Tesla has been know for delays in delivering their cars. Their initial Roadster was delayed 6 months from original estimated delivery of October 2007 to actual delivery in March 2008. This was due to manufacturing issues and design & performance improvements. How much this cost Tesla at the time is hard to say as they were a private company.

 

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Maximize Your Healthcare Revenue Cycle Management

Jan. 16, 2016, 6:07 p.m.

Maximize Revenue Cycle Management

 

With sweeping changes rolling over the way healthcare providers receive payment in the past several years, many companies are due for a complete re-evaluation of the way they handle Revenue Cycle Management (RCM). Between the Affordable Care Act changes in 2012 and the ICD-10 implementation transition currently taking place, countless providers are seeing incredible paradigm shifts in the performance expectations of their RCM.

 

To ensure that these providers are getting the maximum effectiveness and profitability out of their RCM services, here are some “checkup” methods they can use to …

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3 Advantages and Disadvantages Of Plastic Injection Molding

Dec. 20, 2015, 6:23 p.m.

Injection Molding Mold with Runners

 

If you’re reading this blog, you probably already have at least some familiarity with plastic injection molding. As you are likely aware, this is one of the most commonly used manufacturing processes, and creates an enormous number and wide range of parts and pieces. I would bet that there are a dozen of such items within your arm’s reach as you’re reading this. It’s expected that the global market for plastic injection molding will reach $252 billion by 2018.

 

As a quick review, plastic injection molding …

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5 Design Considerations When Using Injection Molding

Dec. 12, 2015, 10:12 p.m.

Injection Molded Parts

 

Injection molding is one of the most popular manufacturing processes, and this should come as no surprise to anyone who is familiar with the process. It’s fast, cost-effective, and can essentially run as a fully automated process. It’s so versatile that it can be used to produce output ranging from tiny precision parts for medical equipment to large parts like truck panels. Still there are certain limitations to keep in mind. Here are a few design considerations which should be factored into your planning.

 

Straight Pull Design

The molds used …

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6 Rules of Dating that Apply to Business

Dec. 4, 2015, 8:14 p.m.

Build Vendor Partnerships

The best relationships are the ones where you can depend on the other party through good and bad times. You get to celebrate the successes with them and you know that they will be there when you need them. The key is to develop that strong bond with the other party so when it is tested, it will hold.

Ask any dating expert and they’ll tell you that the secret to a long lasting relationship is to treat dating like a business.  By applying some common dating tips, you can make your …

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Manufacturing in China is Overrated

Nov. 20, 2015, 8:01 p.m.

shutterstock_160683482

 

Viewed as the holy grail of low cost manufacturing, China has long been the ultimate goal of scaling manufacturing with the promise of high volume, low costs. Seems like everyone is in a rush to move their manufacturing to China. Those looking to move production overseas should take a minute to really consider the benefits and risks. They might just find out that much of the information about the benefits of Chinese manufacturing are outdated or not worth the risks that are associated with it.

 

Cost

Is it really cheaper?

A …

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X-Rays, the Future of Sterilization?

Nov. 14, 2015, 6:14 p.m.

X-ray sterilization is the future

 

Sterilization is used for killing unwanted microorganisms in medical devices, healthcare products, pharmaceuticals and combination drug devices. There are many types of sterilization to choose from depending on your product and requirements: gamma, E-Beam autoclaving, ETO and dry heat. But now there is a new kid on the block that addresses many of limitations with current, popular techniques, X-ray sterilization.

 

Like gamma and E-Beam sterilization, X-ray sterilization uses irradiation to disrupt the DNA of microorganisms on the product. The X-rays are high-energy, high-frequency, short-wavelength electromagnetic photons. This …

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Why Reviews Matter for B2B Companies

Nov. 10, 2015, 8:57 p.m.

Reviews help B2B companies gain business and develop trust

 

Reviews are everywhere in our lives. VendOp CEO, Andy Kohm, was a guest blogger on EBNonline.com to discuss the 10 reasons that electronic OEMs, or any B2B company,  should want reviews of their business. Reviews help with branding, trust, customer conversion and more.

 

Head on over to the post, 10 Reasons Electronics OEMs Should Care About Reviews,  and let us know what you think.

 

 

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Why to start your hardware startup now

Nov. 1, 2015, 7:34 p.m.

Hardware Startup IOT

 

With many new technologies and advancements that have happened in recent years, it has never been a better time to start your own company and take a product to market. You’ve got an idea for a kitchen gadget or IOT device, now what? Having a clear understanding each stage of the building process, the resources and macro factors upfront will make going from prototype to product easier than ever.

 

Ideation / Initial Design

You have your idea. It might be a sketch you have in a notebook or in your …

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How can we control EDM operational costs?

Oct. 25, 2015, 10:46 p.m.

Wire EDM Machine

 

In manufacturing, we’re always looking for ways to make processes more efficient and economically sound. The cost of running wire EDM machines is no exception. Wire EDM has been a revolutionary innovation in the tool and die, mold, and metalworking industries, and there are many reasons why you may choose to utilize it in your workflow. But whether you’re already using it, or considering investing in such machinery, you’re probably considering the expenses involved, and what can be done to control EDM operational costs.

 

In order to talk about …

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When Should I Use Plastic Injection Molding?

Oct. 20, 2015, 6:57 p.m.

Plastic Injection Molding | Thermoforming

If you’re planning to manufacture plastic parts or components, you’ve more than likely begun to consider using plastic injection molding. It’s an incredibly efficient way to produce plastic parts. But how can you determine whether it makes sense for you to use plastic injection molding, as opposed to another method, such as plastic machining?

First, let’s take a look at the process of plastic injection molding, how it works, and where it’s commonly used. As the name suggests, this is the process of injecting …

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Cool Video – Explosion of Prince Rupert’s Drop in Slow Motion

Oct. 13, 2015, 5:16 p.m.

Internal Residual Stresses Cause Fracture

If you ever questioned the importance of proper manufacturing techniques and how residual stresses can affect the performance of the part, look no further. Prince Rupert’s drop is an extreme example of how the making of an part can greatly affect the outcome.

If you haven’t heard of Prince Rupert’s drop, it is a piece of glass that is so strong, it can be hit with a hammer. But if you apply just a little force to its tail, it explodes from residual internal stresses.

There are processes that can …

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Are All Wire EDM Companies Serving The Same Industry?

Oct. 4, 2015, 12:12 a.m.

WireEDM

To answer the question are all wire EDM companies serving the same industries? The answer is Yes and No.

Yes, the technology and the machines used can be used for any industry. No, because a shop may need to have certain certification, manufacturing environment or auxiliary process that you need and are specific to a particular industry. In addition, knowledge in making similar products or working with similar materials can be a bonus when sourcing a shop.

Wire EDM is used across all industries to make tools, dies and molds. In this case, …

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3 Things To Know When You Select a Sheet Metal Fabrication Company

Sept. 30, 2015, 7:40 p.m.

3 things to consider when choosing a sheet metal fabrication company

Virtually every industry uses sheet metal in one form or another, from the most obvious, automotive and aerospace, to the lesser thought of medical devices and consumer products. Regardless of what industry you are in you’ll probably see products that used sheet metal fabrication. And with all the choices of fabricators, how can you best identify the right one for your needs? All sheet metal fabrication companies are not created equal, and here are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind …

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What can’t you do with Legos? The Legos CNC Machine

Sept. 23, 2015, 6:41 p.m.

Lego CNC Machine

Legos have made a huge comeback in recent years. I remember playing with them growing up. Some of the first things I ever made were by putting one little block on top of the next. They never looked like the items on the box, but in my head, they were perfect. Many other engineers probably started out their “careers” in similar fashion. Imaginations combined with anything we could stick together to make them into reality.

As I grew up, moved on to creating and making larger and more complicated items. …

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Where Do I Find A B2B Review Site?

Sept. 16, 2015, 10:19 p.m.

VendOp B2B Review Site

In today’s consumer marketplace, it is taken for granted that no one buys anything without reading reviews. Gone are the days when shoppers are at the mercy of salespeople or advertising, and the limited information they give to a prospective buyer. Let’s be honest – in 2015 would you even consider trying a restaurant you haven’t been to before without first reading a review on Yelp or Urbanspoon? Whether we’re shopping for something as simple as an app for your cell phone or purchasing something larger, we …

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5 Ways Millennials Are Changing The Way of Vendor Procurement

Sept. 7, 2015, 9:26 p.m.

Millennials changing the face of procurement

This year, Millennials are projected to become the generation with the highest concentration in the workforce. We’re talking here, of course about the huge group of Americans born between 1980 and the mid-2000s. According to a report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, they are already the largest generation, representing about a third of the U.S. population.

As the oldest Millennials are now in their early to mid-thirties, they’re becoming a more important force in the American economy and workplace. So it stands to reason that as …

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VendOp Best B2B Companies 2015

Aug. 20, 2015, 5:19 p.m.

Best B2B Companies 2015

VendOp Best Vendors List Unveiled: Heilind Electronics #1 Overall Vendor for 2015

VendOp is excited to announce our first annual Best Vendors List Top 50 honoring the best vendors, services and suppliers across the U.S. Business professionals, entrepreneurs and startup founders can all gain invaluable information from the opinions and experiences of their peers tackling some of the most important decisions facing their businesses. The VendOp Best Vendors List is one way VendOp taps into these insights to solve the complexity and risk associated with sourcing vendors and suppliers.

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High Speed Metal CNC Machining is Mesmerizing

Aug. 13, 2015, 4:40 p.m.

High Speed CNC Machining in Slow Motion

 

Who would have thought that CNC machining could be so beautiful. The people over at Ingersoll Cutting Tools have created many videos using a high speed video camera to show what happens when tool meets metal.

Here is the video that caught my attention but they have many other cool videos on their Youtube channel.

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Six Common Mistakes Companies Make When Creating a Project Budget

Aug. 13, 2015, 12:32 a.m.

 

6 Common Mistakes Companies Make on Budgets

 

In corporate America, the ultimate goal for any company is to please its shareholders. Whether the company is publicly traded (and therefore beholden to a variety of shareholders), or private (which means only a handful of individuals or a single family holds the controlling stake), the shareholders are the people that need to be happy, because they have the greatest exposure.Of course, what pleases the shareholders is increasing the bottom line. There are two sides to accomplishing this: increasing revenue and cutting costs. Increasing …

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The Future of B2B Reviews in the Procurement Process

July 28, 2015, 8:22 p.m.

Future of B2B Reviews in Procurement

Virtually every business, at some time or another, needs to procure goods or services from another business. However, identification of the right supplier of those goods and services has posed a perennial challenge for procurement professionals. Currently, this process is undergoing a fundamental change, as the proliferation of available information continues to both empower buyers as well as change the role of sellers. A 2014 study by SAP SE gives insight into the changing landscape of the procurement process.

Traditionally, one of the greatest frustrations …

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Welcome to the new VendOp blog!

July 26, 2015, 12:18 a.m.

A Note from VendOp Co-Founder and CEO Andy Kohm

Andy Kohm CEO of VendOp

Welcome to the new VendOp blog!

Since launching VendOp in 2013, we’ve received a great amount of positive feedback about our services from our users. Vendors and customers have come together thanking us for simplifying their lives by streamlining the vendor sourcing process for businesses with comprehensive ratings and reviews of vendors and suppliers.

You may be asking yourself, what is VendOp? We built VendOp for a good reason – because we believe that customer-vendor relationships are …

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