What do you Lookfor in an E-Procurement System?

Since we’re dealing with an automated system, it’s only natural for the procurement manager to take a look at the program and decided whether it is up to the task.

We at Procurement Tactics have devised several ways on how to check and decide which procurement system is the best choice for your company. You can check out our courses for more information on the topic, but since we’re feeling very generous towards our dear readers, here are some important features that you should check out in an e-procurement system before you decide to give the okay signal:

• Customization – Most procurement systems are designed to handle multiple functions in case the organization needs to do other procurement processes too, such as sourcing, product and market research, and others. Companies of all sizes and types should get a procurement system where they are able to customize the program to how they see fit.
• Workflow approval – The approval for the workflows in the procurement system should be quick and easy. The automation feature of an e-procurement system does just that. What takes months or weeks for a procurement manager to follow up can now be achieved in a few days.
• Three-way matching – Good working procurement systems should have three-way matching functions in their programs. This particular matching system eliminates fraud by cross-checking invoices, goods receipts, and purchase orders. All of these are checked before payment is issued to the vendors.
• Cloud hosting – Nowadays, procurement systems are now run on cloud hosting. It offers endless possibilities and data security as well. Self-hosting your procurement software is asking for trouble since the process is already outdated and has many flaws.
• Vendor management – Procurement systems can now check and assist vendors with regard to the procurement process. Keep an eye out for procurement systems that offer vendor management as these programs can help you in assessing vendor performance, managing contacts, and onboarding vetted suppliers.
• Spend Reporting – After the whole procurement process, there is always the checking of how much did your procurement go in terms of company spend. A program that can track your company’s spend footprint is a good find, so make sure to get a system that offers this particular feature.
• Integrations – Integrations are important because procurement is not just about one process, but is made up of many processes. A procurement software that includes integrations to many other procurement processes is another great find, so go ahead and get that program if it does offer integrations!

The Advantages and Disadvantagesof a Procurement System

A procurement system, like all other procurement processes and tools, also has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

To help our dear readers learn each advantage and disadvantage, we at Procurement Tactics categorized each value in this neat little table. This is also to help prevent confusion as sometimes, a long wall of text can be quite overwhelming to read.

So without further ado, here’s a table on the advantages and disadvantages of a procurement system:

Procurement System Examples

1. Precoro

Precoro is a cloud-based purchasing software that has robust procure-to-pay systems for your business. Additionally, it helps you streamline your procurement processes with a user-friendly interface. 

The key features of Precoro include purchase order creations, visual spend analytics, real-time budgeting, three-way matching, and catalog management. Precoro starts at $35 per month. However, it has a free 14-day trial that you can use to check if it suits you. 

2. Oracle Procurement Cloud

Oracle Procurement Cloud is an integrated source-to-settle system that automates business processes. It enables strategic sourcing, simplifies purchasing, improves supplier relationships, and increases business profitability.

Oracle procurement cloud has a free trial. However, it has different pricing for its various plans which you can check here. 

3. Planergy

Planergy is a cloud-based solution that can help businesses to streamline their procurement lifecycle. 

In addition, it allows its users to generate order requests through forms with pre-populated data such as item catalogs, agreed payment terms, delivery locations, and more. 

To see their pricing, click this link here. 

And now, a word for our procurement managers!

Do you want to become the best in procurement processes and negotiations? Then stop wasting time and join our Negotiation Course For Procurement Professionals!

We have tons of information to share with all procurement managers and negotiators who are keen on improving their skills. Hurry and avail of our limited offer today!