NCC finds just 3% of firms have fully automated procurement

It’s study also finds that only 25% of companies have invested in a green and sustainable procurement policy, despite the fact that 69% believe moving to electronic procurement would help. NCC makes the point that although 18% have highly automated procurement, it isn’t total automation, and, significantly, 47% have little or no automation. That’s in spite of respondents acknowledging benefits as reduced transaction costs, streamlined processes and a reduction in maverick purchasing. Says Mark Thompson, managing director of COA Solutions: “This research highlights that UK organisations are still not taking full advantage of automated procurement, which is surprising because, during challenging times, cutting costs and streamlining procurement should be at the top of organisations’ agendas. “With just 3% of organisations having a fully-automated source-to-pay process in place, there remains tremendous opportunity for businesses, across both the UK public and private sectors, to drive down costs and improve efficiencies by implementing electronic procurement systems.”