The Matrix
Unless you're able to assess your organization's spend before you take the e-procurement plunge, you're liable to end up with a system that's overpriced, overtasked and overrated. Matching the available tools with your needs is the way to plot success.
[From iSource Business, February 2001. Click here for pdf version with charts and graphs.] Maybe it was a friend bragging how easy purchasing has become since her company went to e-procurement. Maybe your CEO demanded that you find ways to lower costs. Maybe it was the total market saturation of terms like "B2B" and "market saturation." But whatever the reason, your company bit the bullet and has toggled the corporate switch to "e-procurement." And you're the DRI (directly responsible individual) who is charged with making the magic happen. So, now what? Where do you start? What tools fit your situation?
Well, it's kind of like buying a computer. Or a car. Or a pair of shoes. Or pretty much anything. What do you need this thing to do? If it's a pair of shoes, defining use is fairly straightforward. Dress or casual? Running or cross-training? The problem is that when it comes to e-procurement tools and systems, there are enough variations to make selection more taxing than a simple trip to Foot Locker, and the consequences of a bad choice are a lot worse than an ill-fitting pair of Adidas.
"What is The Matrix? Control."
