Technology innovations, especially those driven by advancements in consumer buying, social technology, and big data management, can now be applied to pull together the complex web of suppliers, intangible deliverables, and inconsistent pricing and processes of indirect spend. These readily available technologies can meaningfully simplify the buying experience while optimizing other aspects of indirect spend cost such as supplier fees, terms and conditions, performance specifications, and performance management. If executed correctly, optimizing indirect spend adds...

Senior management’s top priority remains the same – drive value for the business. And while indirect procurement manager’s feet are held to the fire to achieve cost reduction targets and improve productivity, many struggle because they are still using outdated tools and technology. Alternatively, for end users, their focus is simply to get their job done right, and as quickly and easily as possible. By applying new technology, insights, and thinking to the challenge of...