There are several reasons to utilize open source information resources for procurement and supply chain research. My original June 2022 post on OSINT (open source intelligence) provided an introduction to the topic, real-world case examples, and highlights of a few key resources. OSINT continues to gain traction and what better timing for an update than during International Open Access Week!
The utilization of open access information by procurement is a beneficial equalizer. Here’s why:
- Wisely noted by CIR’s Jenna Dolecek, incorporating open source information allows for greater diversification and corroboration with other information sources, both open or closed, and this leads to greater research integrity.
- Utilizing open access sources enables procurement departments to effectively engage in research efforts, regardless of size or budget. According to Gartner, forty-two percent of surveyed procurement leaders identified supply disruptions, macroeconomic factors, and geopolitical issues as main risks to procurement success. It is reasonable to assume that small/midsize departments have just as much need to address these risks as larger departments but continuously struggle with restraints brought about by smaller budgets.
- Currently, procurement is all abuzz about the scores of innovative solutions being developed and offered with many of these incorporating external data sources in various ways. Access to external market, risk, and supplier data is essential regardless of how a department obtains it, such as via solution integration/add-on, marketplace purchase, or direct from the provider. Costs plays a huge consideration here, but open access, because of its free and flexible (no restrictions on use) nature offers the appeal of universal access.
Here are more open information resources to consider for procurmenet and supply chain research efforts.
Where to Start if New to OSINT
Bellingcat’s New Online Investigations Toolkit – As I pointed out in my June 2022 post, knowing which resources are available to use along with balancing the potential invested time versus the outcome value, is a major challenge when considering OSINT. According to Bellingcat, a collective of researchers who are passionate about open source research, more than 80 percent of open source researchers surveyed indicated that finding the right tools can be challenging. Bellingcat developed an impressive new toolkit that lists tools and resources covering several categories. Categories of special interest to procurement and supply chain researchers include Maps & Satellite, Geolocation, Social Media, Company & Finance, Conflict, Transport, and Environment & Wildlife. But the Tool’s true strength is its detail in helping researchers understand each tool and how best to utilize it. As with all great tools it is a work in progress and most of the tools/resources included are free.
Import Data
ImportYeti – David Applegate, founder of ImportYeti, states: “Bills of lading are public information that every large eCom or supply chain professional I know uses but they are too cost prohibitive, challenging to obtain and difficult to use for the average joe. ImportYeti’s goal is to solve that problem.” There is a wealth of data here, all presented in an easy to digest format. With this tool, you can see a company’s total sea shipments over time, its suppliers (shipment activity, total shipments, product descriptions), annual importing frequency, top ten relationships, breakdown of imports per company, top lanes used, top containers, top ports shipped from and to, top states shipped to, and most recent sea shipments, to name a few.
Corporate Registries
Most countries provide access to corporate registries, with some providing accounts data, such as UK’s Companies House. For lists and links to registries in each country, you can use or EBRA’s (European Business Registry Association) Worldwide Registers, or Gov.UK’s Overseas Registries.
Sanctions Data
US Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control – Here you can access Sanctions Programs and Country Information and the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List.
Open Sanctions – OpenSanctions is self described as an international database of persons and companies of political, criminal, or economic interest. Their data combines sanctions lists, databases of politically exposed persons, and other information about persons in the public interest.
Market Measurement Tools
Cottrill Research Index Collection – Cottrill Research has been monitoring and curating an index collection specifically for supply markets for a number of years with most being open access. Indexes represent a particular type of data measurement, especially as benchmarks for price fluctuations, quantity and production of goods and services, worldwide economies, as well as indicating geopolitical, environmental, and supplier risk intensity. Indexes that measure country, national, and regional risk (geopolitical, economic, environmental, social, among others) continue to trend heavily.
Procurement
TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) – TED provides free access to European public procurement notices where you can browse, search and sort procurement notices by country, region, business sector and more. Award winners indicated.
Find a Tender and UK Contracts Finder – Find a Tender service replaced TED in the UK for public procurement. UK buyers now publish on Find a Tender where high-value opportunities or awarded contracts, typically over £139,688 including VAT are listed. Information on contracts over £12,000 including VAT is on Contracts Finder.
USAspending.gov – USAspending is an open data source for federal spending information. Here you can find information about federal awards such as contracts, grants, and loans.
Image by oki andri sandjaya from Pixabay
