Buyer's Guide: Choosing a Supply Chain Compliance & ESG Partner

A 3-Step Guide to Selecting the Right Partner for Your Business

At Source Intelligence, we know that selecting the right supply chain compliance and ESG partner is a significant decision. Managing these crucial aspects of your business requires more than a one-size-fits-all solution, and the number of factors to weigh can feel overwhelming. When we speak with compliance professionals, they often tell us the same thing: choosing the right partner is tough.

To help navigate this challenge, we’ve created a straightforward, three-step buyer’s guide with key questions you might not think to ask. Whether you decide to partner with us or another provider, this guide is here to help you make the most informed choice for your business.

Let's get started.

Step 1: Assess where you are on your compliance journey

The first step in selecting the right compliance partner is understanding where your business currently stands. By evaluating your existing capabilities and challenges, you can better identify the solution that best aligns with your goals. Which of the following statements best describes your situation?

“I need to streamline my existing compliance initiatives, so I am seeking software to support my compliance team.”

The program types that fit your needs:

• Self-service program
• Self-service program with database access

“I struggle with supplier engagement, including collecting and validating data, so I need access to a comprehensive, high-quality database to support my compliance initiatives.”

The program types that fit your needs:

• Self-service program with database access
• Fully managed program

“I am unable to manage a comprehensive compliance program due to a lack of internal resources, so I want a partner that can manage it for me.”

• Fully managed program

Step 2: Identify which type of compliance program fits your needs

After understanding where you are in your compliance journey, the next crucial step is choosing the right program to support your goals. Different providers offer various program options, each with unique capabilities. To ensure your business reduces risk and stays adaptable as your needs evolve, we’ve outlined key questions to help guide your decision-making process.

A self-service program equips your team with the tools to manage compliance tasks efficiently, giving them control over processes while maintaining accuracy and effectiveness. As you explore self-service options, these questions will help you evaluate if the program is right for you:

• Are supplier forms automatically validated?
• Is supplier communication, data collection, and data quality verification automated?
• Which reporting requirements are supported by this program?

A self-service program with database access jumpstarts your compliance journey and helps future-proof your efforts for long-term success. Beyond the basics, consider these additional questions to determine if the program meets your needs:

• Will I be trained to answer my suppliers’ questions about how to submit data?
• How often is the provider’s database updated?
• Can data collection be supplemented by a database of parts, including custom parts, and an automated supplier workflow?

A fully managed program takes on the heavy lifting by handling data collection and review, giving you peace of mind to focus on other critical areas of your business. To confirm if this service aligns with your needs, ask the following:

• What responsibilities will be completely managed by my provider, including supplier engagement, data collection and validation, and data analysis?
• Can I rely on my provider for supplier support?
• Will I be able to generate custom reports to share demonstrable results with executives?

**Often, companies benefit from a combination of these solutions, depending on their specific compliance obligations.

Unlock the full value of your compliance partnership

You've already learned how to assess your current compliance journey and select the right program for your needs. Next, the guide uncovers the additional benefits that go beyond basic requirements—detailing enhanced data integrity, advanced analytics, and superior customer support. It also explains why Source Intelligence is the trusted partner for streamlining supply chain compliance and ESG initiatives.

Read the complete buyer’s guide to see the full picture and discover how partnering with Source Intelligence can transform your compliance strategy.