<p>Copyright TM Forum 2005<br/></p><p><br/></p><p><b>Extended Description</b><br/></p><p><br/></p><p>This horizontal functional process focuses on the interactions required by the enterprise with suppliers and partners, who are involved in maintaining the supply chain. The supply chain is a complex network of relationships that a service provider manages to source and deliver products. In the ebusiness world, companies are increasingly working together with suppliers and partners (synergistic clusters, coalitions and business ecosystems) in order to broaden the products they offer and improve their productivity. These processes ensure that the best suppliers and partners are chosen as part of the enterprise supply chain. They help to support sourcing decisions made by the enterprise, and ensure that the capabilities are in place for interaction between the enterprise and its suppliers and partners. They ensure that the contribution of suppliers and partners to the supply chain is timely and delivers the required support, and that their overall performance and contribution is as good or better than for vertically integrated enterprises. These processes include establishing and maintaining all the information and financial flows between the provider and supplier.<br/></p>