The conversion to digital procurement continues to gain momentum and it seems that we have reached the tipping point.
In a growing number of organizations, digital procurement is not an option, but a business practice solidly ingrained in supply chain operations for direct and indirect spend. This is not an overnight change, but one that has been growing and gaining critical mass for more than a decade. By now, we understand the mantra of today’s supply chain professional: automate the tactical and focus on the strategic. It seems to be working.
I do worry about the impact on digital procurements on smaller and less sophisticated suppliers, but I do so less these days. In our personal lives, using digital platforms is the norm for buying anything from clothing to a ride to the stadium. Most business operations are cloud-based as well, and our keyboard or mobile device is where we go to get questions answered or to order lunch.
The excuse of not being digitally literate is no longer valid. Business’ of all types and sizes need to be able to operate in a digital environment or be left out.