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Next generation digital procurement

WHY DIGITAL PROCUREMENT
AND WHY NOW?

The procurement
organization has
been largely left
behind in the
digital revolution.

That needs to
change, fast.

A truly digital procurement organization does many things that benefit the business.

Digital procurement automates repeatable tasks to boost efficiency and reduce costs; it equips stakeholders across the business with real-time insights and analytics through artificial intelligence (AI) and easy-to-use online tools; it deploys new and smarter ways to infuse data models to enrich day-to-day operations and decision making.

Furthermore, it transforms buyer interactions with suppliers and other third parties by serving as a platform for new levels of collaboration.

The question is not “why go digital?” but “when?”

FIVE KEY FACTORS FOR SUCCESS

DATA

Data sourced from outside, as well as inside, the organization to inform not just “what” was purchased and at what price, but “why” it was purchased.

TECHNOLOGY TOOLBOX

Making sense of data and providing advanced intelligent support requires the right technology—especially AI, natural language processing, analytics and bots.

INTUITIVE USER EXPERIENCE

Intuitive user experiences will encourage stakeholders to use the online procurement tools.

SKILLS & TALENT

Generating true value requires a cross-functional team of people from data scientists and AI specialists, category experts and IT and design professionals.

POLICIES & PROCEDURES

A review of policies and procedures is needed, along with an updated operating model, to ensure everyone understands new responsibilities.

THE STEP CHANGE IN BUSINESS PROCESS DIGITIZATION

1.0

Recording why decisions are made about transaction processing; the context within your own universe of data

2.0

Recording data and transactions through use of eProcurement technologies; digital process management

3.0

Operate and interact with information outside your own data ecosystem; intelligent capabilities guide business decisions, not transactions

AN ONGOING
EVOLUTION

Digitizing procurement is just the first step in
an ongoing journey.

In the next two to four years, we’ll see the further evolution to next generation digital procurement, where data from outside a business’s own ecosystem will provide even more advanced decision making.

It’s imperative that organizations start their digital procurement journey now to ensure they’re not left behind in the race for competitive advantage.

READ THE WHOLE STORY

The procurement organization has been largely left behind in the digital revolution.

That needs to change.

With digital procurement, bots will automate and streamline manual, routine procurement tasks; buying agents and advisors will help people make the best purchasing decisions, delivering optimal value to the business. The familiar frustrations surrounding procurement today will give way to a simple and intuitive buying experience that users will enthusiastically embrace.

This is possible. This is the future. And it starts now.

Next Generation Digital Procurement from Accenture Operations