Page 123 - DLIS006_INFORMATION SOURCES AND SERVICES

Information Sources and Services

Notes 5. ............................ is a common method of obtaining documents demanded by the user if
they are not held by the library, nor by the libraries covered by ILL arrangement.

6.3 Challenges and Issues in Document Delivery Service

Libraries find it highly advantageous to deliver documents requested by the users, electronically:

1. Increase in Efficiency: Electronic documents are usually made available on the web or
other networks, by the concerned publishers or database produces (of course, some are
free and some others are chargeable). So, libraries can search online, the availability of the
requested document and instantly downloaded it and pass on to the users. Thus, the
service can be operated at a great speed.

2. Cost-effectiveness: Electronic transfer of documents would not involve the charges of
packing, postage, etc., as is the case with printed or paper-based documents. Since many
libraries would have access to the web via a dedicated telecommunication link, it would
hardly cost anything to download; such cost is negligible even if the downloading takes
place in dial-up mode.

3. Simultaneous Availability of the Document to Several Users: If a document is stored in
electronic/digital form, several eligible users can simultaneously access it and download
the required portions. Thus, the original remains in the library, even if the document is
sent to another library (electronically). Such a facility is obviously not available with the
printed versions of documents. If a lending library has only a printed version of a document,
it would normally prefer to scan the document (or the required pages) and transmit
electronically to the borrowing library, as an email attachment, instead of sending the
hard copy by mail.
4. Increased Demands can be Effectively Met: When a library provides efficient/ speedy
document delivery service, demand for the service is likely to go up substantially. Even
then, efficiency of the service can be maintained by using electronic document delivery
method, without increase in staff.

6.4 Document Delivery: Vendor Scorecard

Supplier performance management is a critical initiative in supply chain governance for
organizations dealing with multiple suppliers. The globalized manufacturing and sourcing
mantra has made companies focus on their core competencies and outsource the rest of the non-
core business to suppliers across the globe. Companies in service industry such as banking,
financial services and IT have also started realizing significant advantages in sourcing good and
services from multiple suppliers while benefiting through improved pricing and enhanced
services. Companies are becoming highly dependent on their suppliers and have to assess and
manage their supplier’s performance to reduce business risks and revenue losses.
For manufacturers High-Technology, Pharmaceutical, Energy, Automotive and Construction
industries, this becomes even more important as they spend on average 50%-80% of the total
product cost on raw materials and parts procured from multiple suppliers across different parts
of the world. Manufacturers with a large or mission-critical supply chain are working on strategies
and techniques to gain cost advantages by efficiently managing their suppliers, without sacrificing
quality and flexibility.
Supplier performance management can help companies have better visibility into supplier
deliverables and offer benefits to uncover and remove hidden cost drivers from poor quality,
increase competitive advantage by reducing order cycle times, chargebacks for non-conforming
material and supplies, gain insight on how to best leverage their supply base, and align practices
between themselves and their suppliers.

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