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Supplier Data Management – A Cornerstone of Sustainability

Why is supplier data management important?

Systematic supplier data management supports a company’s sustainability objectives across multiple levels—from reporting and risk management to strengthening competitiveness.

When supplier data is well managed, it positively impacts several key areas:

  • Sustainability reporting

    Legislation such as the CSRD and the EU Taxonomy, as well as GRI standards, require comprehensive supplier data, particularly for value chain (Scope 3) emissions calculations. Without current and comprehensive supplier information, high‑quality reporting is not achievable.

  • Risk management

    Supplier data helps identify, for example:

    • geopolitical and supply chain risks
    • challenges related to human rights and working conditions
    • outdated certificates and audit results

    By understanding the risks, gaps, and potential issues within the supply and procurement chain, organizations can focus on what truly matters. Effective risk management ensures that sustainability foundations are solid and major risks are under control—resulting in tangible business benefits and operational continuity.

  • Competitive advantage and meeting customer expectations

    Increasing customer and investor expectations require organizations to demonstrate supply chain responsibility. Well‑managed supplier data enhances a company’s reputation and provides a clear competitive edge.

  • Delivery reliability and collaboration

    Supplier information can also be used to monitor delivery performance and improve collaboration with suppliers—creating opportunities for innovation and joint development. Close cooperation helps drive sustainability efforts more effectively by enabling targeted actions and visibility into measurable results.

Common challenges in collecting supplier Data

  • Fragmented data scattered across spreadsheets, emails, and multiple systems
  • Underutilization of collected data and one‑time use of survey results
  • Outdated information, such as expired certificates or changed contact details
  • Difficulties in accessing and finding the right information when needed

Without a centralized system, these challenges slow down both decision‑making and reporting.

Practical tips for conducting supplier surveys

  • Define precisely what information is needed and how it will be used
  • Use existing reporting and sustainability frameworks (e.g., Ecovadis, CDP, GRI, VSME) when formulating questions
  • Keep questions clear and answer formats consistent
  • Scale surveys based on supplier size and risk level
  • Repeat broad surveys annually—response rates improve with regularity

Collected supplier data should be centralized in a single system where it can be combined with, for example, financial data. This enables supplier segmentation and comparison. Automated reporting tools, reminders, and alerts reduce manual work and enable more effective decision‑making and targeted actions. Regular updates and continuous dialogue with suppliers ensure data accuracy and strengthen collaboration.

Etteplan’s solutions for supplier data management

Etteplan offers both ready-made and customizable solutions for managing supplier data:

  • Ready-made survey templates: Tailored to customer needs and visual brand identity
  • Power BI–based tools: For agile monitoring and analysis of supplier information, available in the customer’s own Microsoft environment or hosted by Etteplan
  • Collaboration with Position Green (Opens in new window): A comprehensive sustainability platform combining sustainability reporting, carbon footprint calculation, and supplier monitoring in one solution

All solutions are always tailored to customer requirements and can also be applied to business areas beyond sustainability.

Watch the introduction video to explore our supplier management tool

If you want to dive deeper into the topic, the video demonstrates how Etteplan’s Microsoft‑based supplier tool helps your organization collect, maintain, and utilize up‑to‑date supplier data from a single location:

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Book a Demo Session

For a more comprehensive presentation of our solutions, book a demo session where we share our insights and provide concrete recommendations for organizations looking to strengthen their sustainability efforts through better supplier information management.

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