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connected thinking

Connected Thinking

Driving MRO Efficiency

Connected Thinking has been created by RS to provide insight for those responsible for maintaining and operating facilities. Whether you’re working in procurement, maintenance engineering, operations or health and safety, we have insight and expertise on topics related to Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO).

In the pages on this website, you will find articles and reports featuring sector experts sharing advice and best practice, along with thought leadership, to help provide you with expertise and practical insight to help your organisation.

2026 Indirect Procurement Report

Access key insights and trends shaping the procurement community within the Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) Industry.

Operational Efficiency

Operational Efficiency

Operations and engineering are the beating heart of industry. Downtime, especially if unplanned, is the enemy of business success. The whole organisation’s future rests on the skills and commitment of these teams. Our own experienced operations people and engineers understand how vital it is to run uninterrupted processes − and we have insights to help you deliver.

Procurement Strategy

The Indirect Procurement category of Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) is always challenging. Multiple suppliers and ad hoc purchasing can make it hard to manage quality and costs. Connected Thinking is here to help you navigate these complex challenges.

Featured Articles

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Uncertainty is rewriting the rules of efficiency

Discover how new industry-wide research from RS & CIPS identifies Procurement as the essential strategic lever for managing cost, risk, and compliance in a volatile environment.

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Category management and MRO procurement: control, consolidation and clarity

Explore how digitisation and supplier rationalisation are changing the way category management operates.

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Business Pressures: Procurement is now the front line of resilience

Discover how our Indirect Procurement Report shows procurement under pressure with costs, risks, and expectations all rising.

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ESG: Progress under pressure

Our Indirect Procurement Report found ESG is firmly embedded in organisations. Yet cost pressures mean companies are now pursuing strategies and prioritising tactics that pay for themselves.

Adapting to new pressures

Adapting to new pressures

In this article we explore how businesses are adapting to the new pressures of health and safety

The talent gap

The talent gap: Is health and safety running on empty

Explore how health and safety professionals contend with increasing pressure and fewer resources.

The confidence decline

The confidence decline

Findings in our report have indicated that health and safety professionals are feeling less confident in their organisation’s ability to protect workers, amid cost-cutting pressures and fears of complacency.

Maintenance for today and tomorrow

Maintenance for today and tomorrow

In this article we explore the challenge that ageing assets and extreme weather can pose to 21st century rail networks.

Understanding today's railways

Understanding today's railways

In this article we explore how the rail industry can unlock its full potential in overcoming structural challenges.

How do you manage demand within indirect procurement

How do you manage demand within indirect procurement

The first in a series of articles sharing insights from senior MRO procurement professionals outlines the challenges, and solutions, surrounding demand management

How to improve spend visibility

How to improve spend visibility

Today’s digital procurement solutions provide greater insight into MRO procurement

Insight

Best practice in MRO

Best practice in MRO

Reap the benefits of better management of MRO – now and in the future

Cutting contamination out of food manufacturing

Cutting contamination out of food manufacturing

The single biggest fear of food and drink manufacturers is contamination, but by introducing thorough checks it’s a risk that can be managed

MRO in a fast changing world

MRO in a fast changing world

As economic conditions tighten, organisations are delaying the replacement of ageing assets. The challenge for maintenance engineers is keeping old machines running efficiently

How do you cut MRO costs

How do you cut MRO costs

The key to achieving total cost savings in indirect procurement is making your purchasing process more efficient – here’s how

Delivering efficiencies with digital tools

Delivering efficiencies with digital tools

Digital tools can add value by giving back time you can spend on core business functions and more

Driving value through a strategic MRO approach

Driving value through a strategic MRO approach

How can those charged with indirect procurement and MRO ensure they have the resources, expertise and support they need?

Case Studies

Water industry driving safety standards

Water industry driving safety standards

A water company needed a PPE supplier that could fulfil a range of requirements, that's where we came in.

Keeping stock levels on track

Keeping stock levels on track

RS Scanstock® is freeing up valuable time and saving money for a railway maintenance contractor.

Keeping coffee flowing for a leading manufacturer

Keeping coffee flowing for a leading manufacturer

Condition monitoring can keep specialist equipment in operation for longer

Ensuring availability with vendor managed inventory

Ensuring availability with vendor managed inventory

The right strategic partnership guarantees product availability and more

Well oiled machines keep global food supplier moving

Well oiled machines keep global food supplier moving

Lubrication maintenance reduces the potential for costly downtime

Cutting the cost of MRO purchasing

Cutting the cost of MRO purchasing

MRO processing costs can be twice the cost of the product itself, but it doesn’t have to be that way

Delivering results for a coffee manufacturer

Delivering results for a coffee manufacturer

Condition monitoring helps identify a machine fault which leads to significant savings

Saving time and money for a telecoms service provider

Saving time and money for a telecoms service provider

Digital solutions are increasingly helping organisations manage the MRO category to deliver cost and time savings