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Which eProcurement Solution Is Right For My Company?
The majority of CPOs believe having a digital procurement solution is a good idea. Even so, most haven’t implemented eProcurement in their company. If your company is in this situation, you might have put off implementing eProcurement because it seems too complex. Or perhaps you worry that it could be too expensive. Or maybe you don’t think you have the resources and support needed to implement a new procurement solution.
While those concerns are valid, as more and more companies shift to paperless, digital business processes it becomes more and more important to update your procurement process. An eProcurement solution helps your company keep up to date in the modern business world. It also simplifies procurement significantly.
If you’ve started looking at your different options for eProcurement software, you’ve probably seen that there are a huge variety of options on the market. So how do you know which eProcurement solution is right for your company? In this article, we’ll review a list of qualities you should look for when selecting a software provider to help your procurement department go digital.
A Good eProcurement Solution Offers …To get the most out of your new eProcurement solution, you’ll want to make sure you start with reliable software from a company you can trust. Here are seven things to look for when you’re buying business process automation software for procurement and purchasing.
1) Stability and Good Reviews
When choosing an eProcurement solution, look for an established software supplier with good reviews. A brand-new software company might offer you a good deal, but it’s a much safer bet to choose a company that’s been in the industry for a while and has good reviews from other users. NextProcess, for example, has a history of successful implementations and happy customers. You can learn more and read testimonials on our About page.
2) Reliable Follow-Through
It’s well known in the enterprise IT/software industry that 1/3 of implementations fail entirely and another 1/3 are scaled back. Only 1/3 are fully implemented. This typically happens when the provider makes a mistake, exaggerates the product’s features, or hides extra fees. Make sure the company you choose can follow through on their commitments. This is one area where working with an established company comes in handy. Here at NextProcess, we’ve had many successful implementations. Our implementation rate is close to 100%. We also have a 100% success rate at integrating our software with established ERPs.
3) Great Customer Service
Finding a supplier with a good implementation rate is an important first step. You’ll also need to make sure they won’t abandon you once they get the software installed. Make sure you choose a company with a good reputation for reliable customer service. At NextProcess, you’ll work with a dedicated account manager whose whole job is to make sure the implementation and user experience meets—and hopefully exceeds—your expectations. After implementation, we keep in touch through ongoing follow-ups to ensure you stay satisfied with your new eProcurement solution.
4) Regular Software Updates
When you use an eProcurement system, you don’t have to worry about updating the software or staying on top of new advances in procurement software. Your supplier is responsible for all that. This means you’ll want a software supplier who’s committed to continued research and improvement. Here’s another area (similar to implementation) where it’s important to have a supplier that knows how to work with your ERP systems. If NetSuite has an update (for example), your supplier should know how to update or adjust their own software to make it compatible.
5) A Complete, Customizable System
The system you choose should include all the features you need to handle your company’s unique procurement challenges. It should also be easy to customize. For example, you’ll probably want a system with customizable punch-out and item catalogs. Those make shopping within your procurement system much easier. You’ll also want a system that automatically enforces your company’s unique purchasing policies.
6) User-Friendly FeaturesYou’re going to want an eProcurement solution that’s user-friendly so employees can take full advantage of all its benefits. If the system is too complicated, it’ll create new problems instead of solving old ones. The right eProcurement solution for your company will have a good balance of useful features and ease of use. That’s why at NextProcess, we prioritize providing you with software that’s full of user-friendly features to simplify procurement.
7) A Suite of Compatible Products
Automating procurement might also get you thinking about automating other departments. Choosing a supplier who offers a suite of products to automate accounts payable, expense reports, and other financial systems makes it easier to expand your digitization in the future.
NextProcess Has Your Back
When you’re searching for the best eProcurement solution, look no further than NextProcess. Since 2003, we’ve been bringing years of experience in business process automation to work for your company. We have a near-perfect implementation rate and we’re always up-front about what our software can and cannot do.
During and after implementation, our Project Managers work closely with each client to help them understand their configuration options and find the right one for their goals and needs. We’ll also help with any questions you have after we set up your software. We’re committed to providing you with the most up-to-date, complete, and user-friendly system possible. To learn more and schedule a free demo, just contact us today.
