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

MASTERCLASS: WAREHOUSE LAYOUT & DESIGN
26 November 2024
Online workshop

Although increasing capacity and improving productivity and service levels are priorities in any distribution centre, achieving these goals is not always a straight-forward task in facilities that weren’t initially designed to accommodate the specific needs of your own supply chain.

Whether you are re-engineering your current distribution centre or considering developing a new “fit for purpose” facility, this workshop will provide delegates with insight into the key elements that must be considered before taking any step forward.

This workshop offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable insight into current best practices and international trends in warehouse layout and design from one of South Africa’s foremost consultants in this specialised field. Specifically, delegates will leave with an understanding of:

  • ·         warehouse design principles
  • ·         latest trends in materials handling technology
  • ·         how to select best systems and warehouse equipment for your operation
  • ·         capital justification and risk
  • ·         efficient layout and flow for any operation
  • ·         best practices and practical ideas to improve efficiencies and space utilisation
  • ·         the potential shortcomings of your own systems and operation
  • ·         great benchmarking opportunity
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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.

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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


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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.

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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

 

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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