Procurement professionals are often tasked with leading their organization through digital procurement transformation, which has become a critical component in an effective and cost-efficient procurement process.
But what does that even mean? And how do you go about doing it?
In this ultimate guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about digital procurement transformation and give you the tools you need to get started. So read on and get ready to make your business run more efficiently than ever before!
What is Digital Procurement?
Digital procurement, also known as e-procurement or electronic procurement, is the process of procuring goods and services electronically. This can include anything from online catalogs and marketplaces to request for quotation (RFQ) platforms, online auctions, and e-procurement platforms.
The main goal of digital procurement is to streamline the purchasing process and make it more efficient and effective. This is done by automating manual tasks, reducing errors and duplication, and increasing transparency throughout the process.
By digitizing the procurement process, organizations can enjoy a number of benefits, including reduced costs, improved efficiency, and increased transparency.
What is Digital Procurement Transformation?
Digital procurement transformation is the process of transforming your organization’s procurement function from a traditional, paper-based system to a digital one.
This transformation can be implemented in a number of ways, depending on the needs of your organization.
Digital transformation is inevitable in today’s business world. The competitive landscape is changing, and in order to survive, companies must adapt by leveraging new technologies.
One area that is ripe for digital transformation is procurement, as the process of procuring goods and services is still largely reliant on antiquated systems like paper or emails/spreadsheets.
Digital procurement transformation can help your organization save time and money, as well as improve efficiency and transparency.
Benjamin S
Mechanical Engineer
"I wish this existed years ago!"
Jiga is the best way to get the parts you need, when you need them.
The Evolution of Digital Procurement
Digital procurement has come a long way in recent years, thanks to advances in technology.
In the past, procurement was a manual process that was often time-consuming and error-prone. Relying on a pen and paper approach made it difficult to track spending, manage contracts, and keep tabs on supplier performance.
This led to errors and duplication and increased the chances for fraud and corruption. With the advent of digital technologies, however, procurement has undergone a rapid evolution.
Today, there are a number of software solutions like Jiga that can automate and streamline the procurement process. These solutions make it easy to source suppliers, create and manage digital purchasing requests, issue purchase orders, and track invoices.
Implementing these solutions can help your organization save time and money, as well as improve efficiency and transparency.
| BENEFITS OF DIGITAL PROCUREMENT TRANSFORMATION |
|---|
| Reduced costs |
| Improved efficiency |
| Greater control and visibility |
| Improved compliance |
| Improved decision-making |
| Improved supplier relations |
| A holistic supply chain approach |
Why do you Need Digital Procurement Transformation?
There are many benefits to digital procurement transformation, including:
1. Reduced costs
A digital procurement system can help you save money by reducing the need for paper, postage, and storage as well as the number of staff hours that need to be put into accurately and efficiently updating a manual procurement system. It can also make it easier to compare prices quickly and get the best price from suppliers.
2. Improved efficiency
A digital procurement system can automate many of the tasks associated with procurement such as a request for quotation (RFQ) management and contract management as well as requisition approvals, purchase order creation, and invoice processing.
This can free up your staff to focus on more strategic tasks such as supplier relationship management (SRM) and category management.
3. Greater control and visibility
A digital procurement system can give you greater control over your spending by providing real-time visibility into your purchasing activities. This can help you identify opportunities to save money, such as by consolidating suppliers or negotiating better prices.
4. Improved compliance
By automating the procure-to-pay process, organizations can ensure compliance with regulations such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).
5. Improved decision-making
A digital system can provide you with real-time data that can help you make better decisions about your procurement process. Furthermore, automating the procurement process can help increase transparency and visibility into the process, which can help improve communication between buyers and suppliers.
6. Improved supplier relations
A digital system can help you manage supplier information more effectively, which can lead to improved supplier relations through automated communication, tracking, and payments.
You’ll have all of your ducks in a row when it comes to important details like product specs and quality assurance expectations, meaning that there will be fewer surprises down the road.
Plus, you’ll be able to automate payments and other transactions, saving you time and hassle. In the end, your suppliers will appreciate your dedication to streamlining the process and will be more likely to want to work with you in the future.
7. A holistic supply chain approach
By automating the procure-to-pay process, you can take a holistic approach to your supply chain and improve coordination between buyers and suppliers. This, in turn, can help you to streamline operations and reduce costs, help you to better manage your inventory, and ensure that you have the right products in stock at all times. Finally, automating the procure-to-pay process can help to improve your overall supply chain management.
| Drawbacks of Digital Procurement Transformation |
|---|
| Implementation costs |
| Change management |
Potential drawbacks
While there are many benefits to digital procurement transformation, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider. These include:
- Implementation costs: There may be a significant upfront cost to implement a digital procurement system, depending on the size and complexity of your organization.
- Change management: Switching to a digital system may require changes to your current processes and procedures which may require additional training for your staff.
Steps to Transforming your Digital Procurement: A Roadmap
Despite these potential drawbacks, the benefits of digital procurement transformation are clear.
A digital system can offer a more efficient and effective way to manage your purchasing processes, leading to cost savings, improved supplier relationships, and better visibility into your supply chain.
So, if you’re considering making the switch to a digital system, here’s a roadmap to help you get started:
Alan B.
Mechanical Engineer
"Hands-Down the Best Platform and Partner for Fast, Quality Parts"
Jiga is the best way to get the parts you need, when you need them.
Define your goals
Before you can start the transformation process, you need to know what you want to achieve. Do you want to improve efficiency? Reduce costs? Increase transparency? Once you’ve defined your goals, you can begin to research digital solutions that will help you achieve them.
Assess your current procurement process
Take a close look at your current process and identify areas that could be improved. This will help you determine what changes need to be made in order to implement a digital system.
Research digital solutions
There are a variety of digital solutions available for procurement. Take the time to research which ones will work best for your business. Make sure to consider factors like ease of use, cost, and integration with other systems.
Implement the solution
Once you’ve selected a solution, it’s time to implement it. This can be a challenge, but with the right planning and support, it can be done.
Implementation should be done in phases to ensure that everything is working as it should and should be as scalable as possible. Scalability means that the system should be able to handle an increase in users or data without issue.
Also note that some solutions are extremely easy to implement, which should be a major focus during your search.
Monitor and optimize
After the digital solution is up and running, it’s important to monitor it closely. This will help you identify any issues and make sure that the system is operating efficiently. You should also regularly review the system to see if there are any ways to improve it.
Train employees
Employees will need to be trained on how to use the new system. Make sure to provide adequate training and support so that they can be successful in using it. Without the correct training, employees may not be able to use the system properly or may become frustrated with it. It’s a great advantage if you choose a software that’s easy to implement, thus, will require less training.
Collate and analyze results
After you’ve implemented the digital system, it’s important to monitor the results. This will help you ensure that it’s working as expected and identify any areas that need improvement.
What is the Future for Procurement?
The future of procurement is digital. By digitizing the procure-to-pay process, businesses can improve efficiency, save money, and gain insights into spending.
While it can be a complex and daunting task, digital procurement transformation is essential for businesses that want to stay competitive and by taking the time to assess your current process, research digital solutions, and train employees, you can set your business up for success.
In the coming years, we expect to see more businesses adopt digital procurement solutions as they look to streamline their operations.
