e-Procurement: From Strategy to Implementation

Single-Solution Suppliers

Just as the pressures to move toward integrated solutions are forcing a consolidation in the vertical e-market trading communities, it is also very likely that there will be a move toward consolidation—to probably three to four major solution providers—for internal, enterprise e-procurement solutions. Although the enterprise-based software platforms and the one-to-many model may be the solution of choice for direct goods, companies will also like access to e-markets for ORM, some MRO materials, and bulk-buy direct goods. Customers will not want to have two separate systems, even if the actual approaches to buying vary greatly. These two paths will merge, as customers seek a single system for all purchasing-related activities ...