Strategic sourcing is an enterprise procurement process that continuously improves and reassesses a company's purchasing activities. In the service industry, strategic sourcing refers to a service solution, sometimes called a strategic partnership, that is specifically tailored to meet the individual needs of the customer. In a manufacturing environment, it is often considered a component of supply chain management. Modern supply chain management experts have emphasized the importance of defining the distinct differences between strategic sourcing and procurement. Procurement processes support tactical daily operations such as issuing Purchase Orders to Suppliers, while strategic sourcing represents strategic planning, supplier development, contract negotiations, supply chain infrastructure, and outsourcing models.