About Vicenda
In an environment as dynamic and complex as supply chain management, it is imperative
for supply chain professionals to keep in touch with industry trends, best practices
and technological advancements in order to maintain an optimal and competitive supply
chain.
Vicenda is an innovative services company delivering business information services
to the logistics and supply chain industry. Our focus is to provide executives with
tailored business platforms that allow them to keep informed and up-to-date with
the latest industry trends. Our workshops, conferences and roundtables bring together
industry experts and seasoned practitioners to share their knowledge, experience
and insight in interactive learning environments.
Although content is always based on sound academic principles, we have a strong
focus on sharing fresh perspectives and practical solutions to the business challenges
that supply chain executives encounter daily.
Supply Chain Update is our online industry publication. Now in its fifth year, it
continues to provide a valuable platform for industry news, articles, perspectives,
multimedia, events and supply chain jobs.
Visit the site here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
EFFECTIVE DISTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT
18 - 19 February 2025
Online workshop
For any company that offers goods or services to the marketplace, it is
vital to conduct efficient and cost-effective distribution in order to reduce
operating costs, maintain customer service levels and sustain growth in today’s
highly competitive marketplace.
This workshop will provide delegates with an understanding of the
components required to create and maintain an effective distribution network
and will also take into account some of the changing dynamics of our South
African landscape.
The workshop content is a combination of proven methodologies and valuable
perspectives an experienced practitioner. In order to maintain the interactive
nature of the workshop, attendance to the workshop is limited.
SARS COMPLIANCE FOR IMPORTERS
20 February 2025
Online workshop
The New Customs Act Programme (NCAP) is
a must know for all companies involved in any form of imports. The New Customs
Act needs to be fully understood and more importantly, how to implement these
processes within your organisation to ensure compliancy.
Workshop highlights:
· EDI (Electronic Data
Interchange) reporting and including the NCAP (the New Customs Act Programme) –
MPR (Manifest Processing system) and the RCG (Reporting of Conveyance Goods)
· Accreditation for
Preferred Trader legislation and the Customs Sufficient Knowledge programme
· Customs Values, including
obtaining a Valuation Determination Number (VDN)
· Customs calculations, how
specific, ad-valorem and excise tariffs are calculated
· Customs Procedure
Category Codes, including the permissible Customs procedures
· The Tariff Book and the
Schedules to the Customs and Excise Act
· Import documentation,
what Customs and Excise need to see with every import clearance, including
commercial, transport, origin & other supporting documentation
· The Customs SAD500 and
SAD501
MASTERCLASS: LOGISTICS COSTINGS
5 March 2025
Online workshop
The logistics costs of satisfying
customer demand can be substantial, yet these costs are generally not fully
understood by organisations as typical accounting systems tend to be focused on
detailing product costs as opposed to customer service costs.
Every company has its own unique supply
chain, with highly individualized logistics cost inputs, yet most companies
seem to suffer from a lack of visibility of costs as they are incurred through
the supply chain pipeline.
In order to effectively monitor, manage
and optimise their operational costs, logistics professionals must understand
the specific logistics cost elements and drivers as well as the true costs of
servicing different customer types / channels & market segments.
The content of this workshop has been
designed to empower delegates with a solid understanding of logistics cost
elements and drivers as well as the critical relationships between physical activities,
operating performance, cost generation and pricing within a logistics
environment.
SARS COMPLIANCE FOR EXPORTERS
6 March 2025
Online workshop
To
accommodate changes in the global trade environment particularly since the
COVID-19 pandemic, Customs and Excise have implemented new rulings. From a
local perspective, Customs and Excise have implemented the latest R316 revision
which holds considerable benefits for exporters.
This
revision has already been implemented, yet most exporters are unaware not only
of the latest legislation relating to over-border exports and the relevant
benefits to exporters but also the penalties for non-compliance.
Delivered
by Linda Duxbury-Bird, regarded as the South African expert on all aspects of
international trade, education and training, this half-day workshop will focus
on:
· Understanding
the Customs Control and Duty Bills of 2014, how this directly affects exporters
and how export orders should be completed to ensure Customs compliancy
· How
to ensure that all documentation is aligned to the Customs and Excise, Control
and Duty Bills
· Understanding
the SARS R316 Revision and invoicing procedures for exporters & when to
zero rate or charge VAT with every export order
DEMAND PLANNING & INVENTORY OPTIMISATION
11 - 12 March 2025
Online workshop
The volatility of sales in today’s
highly competitive marketplace lends itself to less reliable sales forecasts
and the consequent necessity of higher inventory levels to maintain reasonable
customer service levels. Accurate demand forecasts are a necessity in order to
maintain service levels and optimize inventory levels in a lean operating
supply chain.
The content of this workshop is
practical and delegates will leave with proven methodologies that can
immediately be implemented in their supply chain.
Attendees will be
encouraged to participate, debate, and discuss the topics that are presented. The presenter will also address the fundamental
issues challenging modern organisations and will offer strategic and practical
approaches for consideration to consistently improve forecast accuracy and
optimise inventory performance in your organisation.
EFFECTIVE INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
12 - 13 March 2025
Online workshop
This workshop will provide delegates with a comprehensive understanding of current best practices in inventory management and importantly, how to apply them effectively in their current environment.
Specifically, the workshop will cover:
· The role & functions of inventory within the supply chain
· Best practices for the management of inventory
· Performance measurement & improvement
· Solutions to inventory management challenges
· Understanding the real cost of inventory
· Supply chain principles & management issues
The content of this workshop is practical and delegates will leave with ideas and proven methodologies that can immediately be implemented in their supply chain.
This workshop is aimed at an intermediary level. In order to maintain the interactive nature of the workshop, attendance to the workshop is limited.
MASTERCLASS: INCOTERMS® 2020 RULES
26 March 2025
Online workshop
Incoterms
® are fundamental to international trade, providing a set of contract terms for
international trade and delivery of freight. The Incoterms ® 2020 is a must
know for all parties involved in any form of international trade and need to be
clearly understood in order to ensure compliancy and clearly define the seller
& buyers' responsibilities, risks and costs. This one-day programme will
include:
·
The
current Incoterms ® 2020 rules in detail
·
How to
implement these rules into every contract of sale
·
Which
Incoterms ® 2020 to quote in order to zero rate VAT on exports
·
Understanding
the delivery of every Incoterm from EXW – DDP
·
Why
traders would choose one set of Incoterm rules over another
·
How to
insert Incoterms ® 2020 into your import and export costings
·
Commonly
misused terms and how to avoid the consequences
Why every trader / importer / exporter needs to
implement the Incoterms ® 2020 into all legal contracts
MASTERCLASS: METHODS OF PAYMENT & INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
10 April 2025
Online workshop
One of the most important
considerations in international trade is: how will you secure payment for the
product that you export? While payment upfront may eliminate the risk of
non-payment, it limits your pool of potential customers as it creates cash flow
challenges and other issues for potential buyers.
There are five primary methods of
payment in international trade. These range from least to most secure:
consignment, open account, documentary collection or draft, letter of credit
and cash in advance. As might be expected, the most secure method for the
exporter is then the least secure for the importer and vice-versa. The goal
should be to find a solution that works for both importer and exporter. This practical
workshop will provide delegates with insight on:
· International methods of payment including cash in advance, documentary
credits, bank collections, open account, factoring and forfeiting
· How to interpret process and present documents under various methods of
payment including letters of credit and the UCP 600
· South African Reserve Bank requirements including UCR Number requirements
for both SARB and SARS
MASTERCLASS: EXPORTING INTO AFRICA
7 - 8 May 2025
Online workshop
This workshop will cover the real-world application of
how to effectively handle the technical and practical aspects relating to
exporting goods into Africa. It is highly practical and will also highlight
challenges that could arise from incorrectly applying these technical processes
and how to evade the pitfalls relating to the unique nature of exporting into
Africa.
This workshop is aimed at providing delegates with an
understanding of current best inter-processes, South African government
statutory requirements, the benefits offered by trade agreements and how to
implement up-to-date export administration processes within every organisation.
Highlights include:
· The statutory requirements for SARS and the SARB
to ensure compliancy and avoidance of fines. This includes the latest SARS R316
revision
· Trade agreements including – SADC (Southern
African Development Community Agreement) and AfCFTA (The African Continental
Free Trade Agreement) – what are the benefits?
· International methods of payment & finance –
securing payment when exporting into Africa is vital
· Export documentation – covering the A–Z of all
international trade documentation
· Moving your goods into Africa - understanding
the complexities and barriers to ensuring successful movement of your freight
into African markets.
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR IMPORTERS & EXPORTERS
20 - 21 May 2025
Online workshop
A Standard Operating Procedure
(SOP) is a procedure specific to your operation that describes the activities
necessary to complete tasks in accordance with industry regulations, local
& international laws. The SOP is an absolute necessity to ensure that
operations between importers/exporters, freight forwarders, carriers, and other
stakeholders run smoothly.
SOPs put all parties on the
same page as your goods are in transit. When complications arise (and they do),
parties refer to the SOP document for clarity and guidance to ensure an
appropriate and consistent response.
Over these two half-days,
Linda will lead participants through the process to create an SOP that is
logical, updatable, implementable and contains your relevant company policies
including how to effectively utilise this document to prevent errors, wasted
time, and unnecessary fees and fines.