What is procurement? Everything you need to know

What is procurement? Everything you need to know

Procurement definition

The most basic definition of procurement is the purchase of goods and services.

But to most businesses, procurement is a critical business function that involves a strategic process that includes identifying needs, sourcing suppliers, negotiating contracts, and managing supplier relationships. This ensures that companies can acquire the right goods and services at the best possible value while aligning with their broader business goals.

But how do you create a comprehensive procurement strategy that provides financial visibility, executes seamless processes, and maintains strong supplier relationships?

It starts with understanding the full scope and best practices around procurement. This comprehensive guide will explain everything from the role of procurement to how to implement a modern procurement strategy.

Procurement vs. purchasing: A strategic distinction

Although procurement and purchasing are often used interchangeably, there is a key distinction between the two. Procurement is a strategic process that involves planning, supplier selection, and contract negotiation, while purchasing refers to the transactional process of buying goods and services. This difference is crucial, as procurement focuses on long-term value creation and risk management, while purchasing deals with immediate needs at a lower cost​.

More on procurement vs purchasing

Types of procurement

Procurement can be classified into several categories, each serving a unique business function:

  • Direct procurement: Refers to the acquisition of goods and services directly related to the production process, such as raw materials for manufacturing.

  • Indirect procurement: Involves purchasing items not directly related to the product but essential for day-to-day operations, such as office supplies.

  • Goods procurement: Focuses on tangible products, whether they are directly or indirectly contributing to production.

  • Services procurement: Refers to contracting professional services like consultants, IT support, or security​.

The procurement process: Key steps

The procurement process can vary slightly between organizations, but it generally follows a similar flow. Here are the main steps involved:

  • Identifying needs: The process begins by recognizing a need within the company, whether it’s raw materials for production or services for operations.

  • Supplier sourcing: Once needs are identified, the procurement team researches potential suppliers, evaluating them based on cost, reliability, and reputation.

  • Negotiating contracts: After selecting the best supplier, the procurement team negotiates terms, such as pricing, delivery schedules, and payment conditions.

  • Purchase order creation: A formal purchase order is issued to the supplier, detailing all terms and conditions.

  • Receiving goods or services: Once the supplier delivers, the organization verifies that the order matches the purchase specifications.

  • Invoice processing and payment: The supplier’s invoice is cross-checked with the purchase order and goods received, after which payment is processed​.

Importance of procurement in business strategy

Procurement has evolved into a strategic function that directly influences a company’s profitability, competitiveness, and long-term success. Effective procurement can lead to:

  • Cost savings: By negotiating better terms with suppliers and optimizing procurement processes, businesses can significantly reduce costs​.

  • Risk management: Procurement teams are also responsible for managing supply chain risks, such as potential disruptions or supplier failures.

  • Supplier relationships: Strong supplier relationships can improve reliability, quality, and even offer better pricing​.

  • Sustainability: Companies are increasingly incorporating sustainability and ethical sourcing into their procurement strategies, ensuring that they contribute to environmental and social goals​.

The role of technology in modern procurement

Procurement software and automation tools are transforming how companies manage their procurement processes. Technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and procurement analytics help procurement teams streamline routine tasks, improve supplier selection, and generate real-time insights into spending and supplier performance​.

  • Procurement automation: Automating procurement processes reduces human errors, speeds up transaction times, and provides better visibility into the procurement lifecycle​.

  • AI and predictive analytics: AI can predict market trends, enabling procurement teams to make more informed decisions about suppliers and pricing​.

  • Real-time spend visibility: Updates and notifications to ensure that finance leaders are always aware of their current financial status, enabling them to adhere to their budgets and make proactive adjustments.

  • Cash flow optimization: Provides easy access to real-time spending against budget, so that procurement leaders can make stronger spending decisions.

Download the 2024 Procurement Software Buyer’s Guide

Your guide to selecting the right procure-to-pay platform for your organization’s needs – to drive measurable process efficiency and cost savings.

Types of procurement

Procurement activities can be categorized into two main types: direct and indirect procurement. Both play essential roles in an organization’s operations but differ significantly in their purpose, processes, and impact on the business. Additionally, more modern approaches to procurement now recognize goods procurement and services procurement as further important classifications. Understanding these differences is key to developing effective procurement strategies.

Direct procurement

Direct procurement involves the acquisition of goods and services that are directly used in the production of the final product or service delivered to customers. These are critical for the core business functions and directly impact product quality and production timelines.

Characteristics of direct procurement:

  • Strategic importance: Direct procurement is tightly connected to a company’s core operations. For instance, raw materials, components, and parts that are integral to the manufacturing process, such as a car manufacturer procuring steel for car bodies or a tech company sourcing processors for electronic devices, fall under this category.

  • Volume and value: These purchases are often high in volume and value, directly affecting production cycles and overall profitability. Any disruption in direct procurement can significantly delay manufacturing, impacting customer satisfaction.

  • Supplier relationships: Establishing long-term, reliable relationships with suppliers is critical for direct procurement. Ensuring consistency, quality, and timely delivery is paramount to avoiding production downtime​.

  • Risk management: Direct procurement carries higher risks due to its strategic importance. Companies must proactively manage risks associated with supply chain disruptions, such as shortages or geopolitical issues, by diversifying suppliers or creating contingency plans​.

Indirect procurement

Indirect procurement refers to the acquisition of goods and services that do not directly contribute to the production of goods or services but support the overall operations of a business. This category includes items such as office supplies, IT services, utilities, and travel expenses.

Characteristics of indirect procurement:

  • Operational necessity: Indirect procurement is essential for maintaining operational efficiency. While it doesn’t contribute directly to the final product, without it, an organization’s daily operations would grind to a halt. For instance, office supplies, facility maintenance, and professional services like accounting and legal support fall into this category​.

  • Varied stakeholders: Indirect procurement tends to involve a broader range of stakeholders across different departments, including HR, IT, marketing, and finance. Each department has its own specific needs and preferences, which can complicate the procurement process.

  • Cost management: While indirect procurement is typically smaller in value per transaction compared to direct procurement, the cumulative spend on these items can be substantial. Effective management of indirect procurement can result in significant cost savings, making it a key area for optimization​.

  • Supplier variety: Indirect procurement often involves a wider range of suppliers, including service providers, making it more decentralized. Managing this diversity effectively is crucial for optimizing costs and ensuring smooth operations.

Goods procurement

Goods procurement covers the acquisition of physical products necessary for the company’s operations, either for internal use or as part of the manufacturing process. These can include both direct and indirect goods.

Characteristics of goods procurement:

  • Tangible products: This category covers physical goods, including raw materials, components, or even office furniture and technology tools like computers and software subscriptions.

  • Supply chain management: Effective goods procurement often requires strong supply chain management to avoid stockouts, over-ordering, or logistical bottlenecks that can disrupt operations​.

Services procurement

Services procurement involves contracting people-based services, such as consultancies, law firms, outsourced IT services, and other specialized labor. Both direct and indirect services procurement are vital for operational efficiency.

Characteristics of services procurement:

  • People-focused: Unlike goods procurement, services procurement focuses on acquiring expertise and labor rather than physical products. For example, a company may need to hire consultants to advise on a business strategy or IT services to manage their infrastructure.

  • Outsourcing flexibility: Many businesses now rely on outsourcing various services to third parties to remain agile. This approach allows companies to access expert knowledge without the long-term commitment of full-time employment, providing flexibility in service delivery​.

Procurement strategy

A procurement strategy is a comprehensive plan that outlines how an organization intends to manage and optimize its procurement activities to achieve long-term business objectives. It encompasses a range of factors such as cost reduction, supplier management, risk mitigation, and the integration of modern technologies like AI and automation. A strong procurement strategy ensures that the procurement function supports day-to-day operations and contributes to the company’s broader strategic goals, including sustainability and innovation.

Key components of an effective procurement strategy:

  1. Alignment with business goals

    A successful procurement strategy is aligned with the overall business goals, ensuring that procurement decisions support short-term and long-term objectives. This involves working closely with stakeholders across departments, such as finance, operations, and supply chain, to ensure that procurement contributes to business growth and efficiency​.

  2. Market analysis and supplier selection

    Conducting thorough market analysis is essential for identifying reliable suppliers and understanding industry trends. Supplier selection should go beyond cost considerations to include factors like reliability, capacity for innovation, and risk management capabilities. Developing strong, long-term relationships with key suppliers is crucial for maintaining stability in the supply chain​.

  3. Cost management and efficiency

    One of the primary goals of a procurement strategy is to optimize costs while maintaining quality. This can be achieved by leveraging procurement software, negotiating better terms with suppliers, and using strategic sourcing techniques. Additionally, procurement teams can implement cost-saving initiatives such as bulk purchasing, long-term contracts, and competitive bidding​.

  4. Risk management

    A proactive approach to risk management is critical in procurement, as disruptions in the supply chain can severely impact business operations. The procurement strategy should include plans for diversifying suppliers, managing geopolitical risks, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Companies should also anticipate potential risks like supplier insolvency or logistical delays, and have contingency plans in place​.

  5. Technology and innovation

    Modern procurement strategies increasingly rely on technology to streamline processes and provide real-time insights. Procurement automation, artificial intelligence, and predictive analytics help organizations manage procurement activities more efficiently. These technologies can improve supplier selection, reduce administrative overhead, and provide data-driven insights that support better decision-making​.

  6. Continuous improvement and adaptation

    A good procurement strategy is not static; it evolves as market conditions and business needs change. Continuous monitoring of procurement performance through key performance indicators (KPIs) such as cost savings, supplier performance, and spend under management is essential. Regularly updating the procurement strategy allows organizations to adapt to new technologies, market conditions, and regulatory requirements​.

Future trends and technologies in procurement

The procurement function is set to undergo transformative changes in the coming years, driven by advancements in technology, global shifts in business practices, and an increasing emphasis on sustainability. Here are some of the key trends and emerging technologies that are shaping the future of procurement:

  1. Advanced analytics and big data

    The future of procurement will be powered by big data and advanced analytics, which are enabling procurement teams to uncover deeper insights into spending patterns, supplier performance, and market trends. By leveraging predictive and prescriptive procurement analytics, procurement professionals can make more data-driven decisions, optimizing sourcing strategies and negotiating more favorable contracts. These technologies will also help in identifying supply chain risks and enhancing procurement agility​.

  2. Blockchain for transparency and efficiency

    Blockchain technology is revolutionizing procurement by enhancing transparency, security, and efficiency in transactions. The immutable nature of blockchain ensures that all procurement records, including contracts and payment transactions, are securely shared in real-time between buyers and suppliers. This reduces the risks of fraud, improves contract compliance, and streamlines payments. Future applications of blockchain in procurement could involve smart contracts, where contractual conditions are automatically enforced​.

  3. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) integration

    AI and ML will continue to be deeply integrated into procurement processes, automating complex decision-making tasks such as supplier evaluation, risk management, and demand forecasting. AI will help procurement teams move beyond reactive decision-making toward more predictive and proactive strategies, allowing companies to anticipate market changes and adapt quickly. AI-driven tools will also enhance the speed and accuracy of procurement processes, minimizing manual errors and reducing procurement cycle times​.

  4. Sustainable procurement practices

    Sustainability will play an increasingly pivotal role in procurement decisions. Companies will not only be required to adhere to stricter regulations but will also need to meet growing consumer demand for ethical and eco-friendly practices. Procurement teams will need to implement sustainability assessments and work more closely with suppliers to ensure environmentally responsible sourcing. This includes adopting circular economy principles, such as using recycled materials and minimizing waste​.

    Additionally, procurement teams will need to support ethical sourcing, ensuring compliance with labor standards and social responsibility​.

  5. Collaborative supplier relationships

    The future of procurement will see a shift from purely transactional relationships with suppliers to more collaborative partnerships. By fostering close, strategic relationships, companies can drive innovation, improve flexibility, and achieve mutual growth with their suppliers. Digital platforms and blockchain technologies will facilitate this collaboration, enabling seamless communication and information sharing in real-time​.

  6. Digital procurement platforms

    The rise of digital procurement platforms is transforming how procurement teams operate. These procurement software platforms provide end-to-end solutions that cover every stage of the procurement process, from supplier discovery and e-tendering to contract management and analytics. These platforms are not only making procurement processes more scalable and efficient, but they are also making sophisticated procurement tools more accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)​.

  7. Tailored procurement strategies

    As businesses face increasingly complex and dynamic challenges, there is a growing need for customized procurement strategies that are tailored to specific industry demands, market conditions, and business models. By leveraging advanced technologies like AI and data analytics, procurement teams will be able to develop more adaptive and personalized strategies, optimizing procurement activities based on real-time data and predictive insights​.

Sustainability and ethical procurement

Sustainability and ethical procurement have become integral components of modern procurement strategies as organizations prioritize environmental and social responsibility. These practices not only benefit the planet but also align with the growing consumer and regulatory demand for ethical business operations. Adopting sustainability and ethical sourcing can positively impact an organization’s reputation, ensure compliance with increasingly strict regulations, and contribute to long-term business success.

Sustainability in procurement

Sustainable procurement refers to the practice of sourcing goods and services in a way that minimizes environmental impact and promotes resource conservation. It involves considering the entire lifecycle of products—from raw material extraction to production, transportation, usage, and disposal—ensuring that all stages contribute to sustainability goals.

Key components of sustainable procurement include:

  • Green sourcing: Choosing suppliers that prioritize environmentally friendly practices, such as reducing carbon emissions, using renewable energy, and minimizing waste. For example, many businesses now opt for products made from recycled or upcycled materials and encourage suppliers to adopt clean technologies​.

  • Circular economy principles: This involves shifting from a linear “take, make, dispose” model to a circular model where resources are reused, recycled, or repurposed. Procurement teams are playing a crucial role in supporting the circular economy by sourcing materials that can be reintegrated into the production process​.

  • Carbon footprint reduction: A key goal for many companies is to reduce their carbon footprint through their procurement activities. This involves sourcing locally to minimize transportation emissions and choosing products with lower environmental impacts during production​.

  • Sustainable supplier development: Procurement teams work closely with suppliers to help them improve their sustainability practices. This could involve joint initiatives to reduce waste, enhance energy efficiency, or collaborate on eco-friendly product innovations​.

Ethical procurement

Ethical procurement goes beyond environmental considerations, focusing on human rights, labor practices, and social equity. Ethical procurement ensures that the goods and services procured by a company are produced in a manner that is fair and respectful of workers’ rights, local communities, and broader societal norms.

Key aspects of ethical procurement include:

  • Fair labor practices: Ethical procurement ensures that suppliers adhere to labor laws and standards that prevent exploitation, including fair wages, safe working conditions, and freedom from child or forced labor. These concerns are especially significant in industries such as textiles, electronics, and agriculture, where exploitation risks are higher​.

  • Supplier code of conduct: Many companies implement a supplier code of conduct that outlines the minimum ethical standards suppliers must meet. This includes standards on working conditions, human rights, health and safety, and environmental practices. Suppliers are audited regularly to ensure compliance​.

  • Human rights due diligence: Ethical procurement involves conducting thorough human rights due diligence, ensuring that suppliers are not involved in any activities that could infringe upon the rights of individuals or communities. This includes the avoidance of conflict minerals, exploitation of vulnerable groups, and discrimination​.

  • Promoting diversity and inclusion: Procurement teams are also increasingly focusing on supplier diversity, promoting the use of small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses. This helps foster inclusive growth and ensures that underrepresented groups benefit from corporate procurement activities​.

Challenges and solutions in sustainable and ethical procurement

  • Supply chain transparency: One of the key challenges in implementing sustainable and ethical procurement is achieving transparency across global supply chains. Complex, multi-tiered supply chains can obscure unethical practices, and verifying supplier compliance can be difficult. Solutions such as blockchain technology and supplier audits can help increase visibility and accountability across the supply chain​.

  • Cost considerations: Sustainable and ethically sourced products may come with higher initial costs. However, long-term benefits, such as improved brand reputation, reduced regulatory risks, and increased customer loyalty, often outweigh these costs. Additionally, as demand for sustainable products grows, economies of scale are driving down the price premium for green alternatives​.

  • Supplier collaboration: Successfully implementing sustainable and ethical procurement requires collaboration with suppliers. Procurement teams need to work closely with suppliers to help them meet the company’s sustainability goals and ethical standards. This collaboration can also foster innovation, such as developing eco-friendly products or more efficient manufacturing processes​.

The business case for sustainability and ethical procurement

Businesses are increasingly realizing that sustainable and ethical procurement is not only good for the environment and society but also for their bottom line. Ethical procurement can help avoid supply chain disruptions, reduce regulatory risks, and improve brand reputation. Similarly, sustainable practices often lead to cost savings through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and improved resource utilization​.

Moreover, consumers are becoming more conscious of the environmental and social impact of the products they purchase, pushing companies to adopt more responsible practices. Organizations that prioritize sustainability and ethics in procurement are likely to gain a competitive edge, as customers, investors, and regulators favor businesses that demonstrate a commitment to responsible sourcing​.

Metrics and KPIs in procurement

Metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are essential tools for procurement teams to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of their procurement processes. By measuring specific aspects of procurement performance, organizations can identify areas of improvement, track progress toward strategic goals, and optimize supplier relationships. Here’s a detailed look at the most important procurement metrics and KPIs:

  1. Cost savings

    Cost savings is one of the most fundamental KPIs in procurement, directly impacting the organization’s bottom line. It measures the reduction in total procurement costs achieved through effective sourcing, negotiation, and contract management. For example, by renegotiating a supplier contract for raw materials, a company reduces its cost per unit, resulting in annual cost savings.

    There are two types of cost savings to consider:

    • Hard savings: Direct reductions in the purchase price of goods and services.
    • Soft savings: Indirect reductions, such as operational efficiencies gained through process improvements​.
  2. Spend under management (SUM)

    Spend under management measures the percentage of an organization’s total spend that is actively managed by the procurement team. A higher percentage indicates better control and optimization of procurement processes.

    The goal is to increase the percentage of spend under management by involving procurement in more purchasing decisions across the organization. Organizations with high SUM typically see better cost savings and supplier performance, as procurement teams can strategically manage and negotiate contracts​.

  3. Procurement cycle time

    The procurement cycle time measures the time it takes from identifying the need for a product or service to the delivery and approval of the final payment. Shorter cycle times indicate a more efficient procurement process, from requisition to payment:

      • Requisition creation
      • Supplier selection
      • Contract negotiation
      • Purchase order issuance
      • Goods or services delivery
      • Invoice processing and payment​

    In general, organizations aim to reduce the cycle time by automating processes, improving supplier collaboration, and streamlining approval workflows.

  4. Supplier on-time delivery rate

    This KPI measures the percentage of orders delivered on or before the agreed-upon delivery date. It reflects the reliability of suppliers and their ability to meet contract terms. Timely delivery is critical to maintaining production schedules and avoiding stockouts. Consistently high on-time delivery rates indicate strong supplier performance​.

    This KPI is important because timely delivery is critical to maintaining production schedules and avoiding stockouts.

  5. Supplier defect rate

    Supplier defect rate measures the percentage of goods or services that do not meet the required quality or specifications. Organizations should aim to reduce defect rates by working closely with suppliers to ensure they meet quality standards and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

    Poor quality can lead to production delays, increased costs, and reputational damage. Monitoring defect rates helps identify unreliable suppliers and prioritize quality improvement​.

  6. Contract compliance rate

    This KPI tracks how well suppliers adhere to the terms and conditions of their contracts, including pricing, delivery schedules, and quality specifications. High compliance rates ensure that suppliers are delivering according to the agreed-upon terms, reducing the risk of contract disputes and unanticipated costs​.

    Organizations can improve contract compliance by clearly defining expectations and maintaining ongoing communication with suppliers.

  7. Procurement ROI (return on investment)

    Procurement ROI measures the value generated by procurement activities in relation to the costs incurred. It assesses the overall effectiveness of procurement efforts in contributing to the organization’s financial performance. A high procurement ROI indicates that procurement activities are contributing positively to cost savings, efficiency, and value creation​.

    Organizations can increase their procurement ROI by optimizing supplier negotiations, improving process efficiencies, and reducing procurement overhead costs.

  8. Supplier diversity

    Supplier diversity tracks the percentage of procurement spend allocated to diverse suppliers, including small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned suppliers. Organizations can increase the percentage of spend with diverse suppliers by actively seeking out and collaborating with underrepresented groups.

    Why does this KPI matter? Promoting supplier diversity can enhance innovation, improve community engagement, and align with corporate social responsibility goals​.

Actionable insights and best practices in procurement

Procurement has become a strategic function that directly impacts an organization’s cost structure, efficiency, and long-term sustainability. To optimize procurement processes, procurement teams should focus on actionable insights derived from data and best practices rooted in industry expertise. Below are key actionable insights and best practices that procurement teams can adopt to drive performance improvements and add strategic value to their organizations:

Leverage data for strategic decision-making

Data-driven decision-making is crucial in modern procurement. By analyzing procurement data, organizations can uncover actionable insights into spending patterns, supplier performance, and market trends. Some best practices include:

  • Spend analysis: Conduct regular spend analysis to identify areas where the organization can reduce costs or consolidate suppliers. This process helps in understanding where money is being spent, with whom, and how efficiently​.

  • Supplier performance metrics: Use Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as on-time delivery, defect rates, and contract compliance to evaluate supplier performance. Continuous monitoring allows for data-backed decisions when it comes to contract renewals, renegotiations, or supplier replacement​.

  • Market benchmarking: Regularly benchmark procurement costs and supplier pricing against industry standards to ensure that your organization is receiving competitive pricing and value from suppliers​.

Develop strong supplier relationships

Building strong, long-term relationships with suppliers is crucial for achieving reliability, cost savings, and innovation. Best practices for managing supplier relationships include:

  • Supplier collaboration: Move beyond transactional relationships and collaborate with key suppliers on innovation and process improvements. Engage in joint planning, share market intelligence, and work on mutually beneficial goals such as reducing waste or increasing sustainability​.

  • Supplier diversification: Avoid over-reliance on a single supplier to reduce the risk of supply chain disruptions. Establish a pool of vetted suppliers and create contingency plans to ensure business continuity in case of supplier failure​.

  • Supplier development programs: Invest in helping strategic suppliers improve their capabilities and performance. This can involve training, technology sharing, and long-term partnerships that drive mutual success​.

Adopt procurement technology and automation

The use of technology, such as procurement software, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and automation, can significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of procurement processes. Here are some actionable technology-driven practices:

  • Automation: Automate routine tasks like purchase order processing, invoice matching, and approval workflows. This reduces manual errors and frees up procurement teams to focus on strategic tasks such as supplier management and negotiation​.

  • Procurement analytics: Implement advanced analytics tools to provide real-time insights into spending patterns, supplier performance, and procurement cycle times. These insights allow procurement professionals to make data-driven decisions quickly and efficiently​.

  • E-procurement platforms: Use digital procurement platforms that provide end-to-end solutions, from supplier discovery to contract management and reporting. These platforms integrate various procurement activities, making the process more transparent and accessible​.

Focus on sustainable and ethical procurement

Sustainability and ethics are becoming critical drivers of procurement decisions. To meet regulatory and consumer demands, procurement teams must adopt practices that prioritize environmental and social responsibility:

  • Sustainable sourcing: Choose suppliers that prioritize eco-friendly practices such as reducing emissions, using renewable resources, and minimizing waste. Aim to integrate circular economy principles by sourcing products that can be reused, recycled, or repurposed​.

  • Ethical procurement: Ensure that suppliers comply with labor laws, fair trade practices, and ethical sourcing standards. Implement supplier audits and require adherence to a supplier code of conduct to verify ethical practices​.

  • Supply chain transparency: Use blockchain technology and digital tools to improve transparency in the supply chain, ensuring that all procurement activities comply with sustainability and ethical standards​.

Continuously improve procurement processes

Procurement is not a static function; it requires continuous improvement to adapt to changing market conditions, regulations, and business needs. Some best practices for continuous improvement include:

  • Regular process reviews: Conduct periodic reviews of procurement processes to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, or areas where automation could be implemented. This practice ensures that procurement operations remain agile and efficient​.

  • Training and development: Invest in ongoing training for procurement teams to keep them updated on the latest tools, best practices, and market trends. Encourage knowledge sharing within the team and with other departments to foster a collaborative culture​.

  • Risk management: Continuously monitor supply chain risks and develop mitigation strategies, such as diversifying suppliers, creating contingency plans, and maintaining emergency stock for critical items​.

Procurement FAQs

So what?

As you can see, the world of procurement has a lot of moving pieces.

Everything from supplier management to risk management to leveraging AI technology are all factors that will impact how effective and efficient your procurement strategy will be.

Now that you understand the full scope of the procurement process and its significance to the operations and bottom line of a business, you are ready to choose your procurement software and implement a comprehensive procurement strategy.

By considering these factors and the insights provided in this article, you can start making informed decisions and select the software that best fits your requirements. Procurify is here to assist you in your procurement journey.

Talk to Sales today to experience how our procure-to-pay software simplifies the procurement process, enabling full control and visibility over your spend.