Mid size manufacturers to get multi-vendor templated e-procurement out of box

Xoomworks, the e-business and web exchanges services firm, Ariba, the e-procurement specialist, and Dell have together released ‘Buyer-in-a-Box’, which they say is a joint solution of services, software and hardware aimed at mid size companies’ e-procurement needs. The collaborators say the system will enable users to make substantial gains in profitability by reducing their cost base – and that what they get will is of a stature that typically only larger organisations can afford. On the face of it, it’s a simple deal. As part of the package, Xoomworks says it will advise firms on design and implementation; Ariba will adjust its Buyer application specifically for SMEs; and Dell will provide appropriate equipment. Dell and co claim that processes and technologies common across many businesses have been pre-configured, meaning a very rapid return on investment. They also say that it focuses initially on IT purchasing to get fastest impact. Then, as understanding and deployment grow, companies can expand e-procurement to all levels and most spending categories. Says John Watton, UK marketing director of Ariba: “The mid-market sector has often missed out on the real benefits of e-procurement. Our aim is to provide these companies with an effective means to effect e-commerce and generate significant cost savings throughout the organisation.” He and his colleagues will be banking on predictions from recent research commissioned by them which found not only that just 24% of their target companies have already invested in e-procurement, but that it’s projected to be the fastest growing sector of e-business investment. Watton: “The research strongly suggests that … Buyer-in-a-Box therefore has huge potential in this emerging market.” Steve Jackson, COO of Xoomworks, adds: “By utilising Xoomworks’ extensive experience with e-procurement solutions, Buyer-in-a-Box can be implemented quickly and efficiently, meaning that impact on cash flow is kept to a minimum. In fact, early cost savings generated help to fund the rest of the project.”