Looking to Kickstart Digital Transformation? Begin with Guided Buying

Many businesses across different industries are ready to initiate digital transformation as part of measures to combat growing uncertainty.

However, many of them aren’t sure where to begin.

Time and budget constraints also discourage them from carrying out the exercise.

Streamlining procurement can be an ideal way to kickstart the digital transformation project, says Kokila Roy, global digital transformation head at GEP.

“During the pandemic, the world has seen a rise in the digitization of procurement and supply chain process. Procure anywhere anytime with real-time tracking has been the need of the changing times,” she says.

Before a business launches a full-scale digital transformation project, it can begin with the deployment of a guided buying tool that simplifies the buying experience for users, typically non-procurement users.

What is Guided Buying?

Guided buying is an AI-powered, easy-to-use tool that directs users to preferred, category-specific buying channels. These can include catalogs, question-based forms, support desk and third-party systems.

Roy explains the primary purpose of guided buying. “Guided buying is a self-service tool to guide the users to purchase right. While organizations have a lot of focus on trainings, it’s not possible to complete 100% training at any given time. There are always certain users who are exploring via purchasing. Guided buying provides easy steps for non-procurement users to continue purchasing without much involvement of the procurement team.”

The guided buying tool allows easy plug and play with procurement platforms and can therefore be an ideal way to initiate a larger transformation project. The tool often has a user-friendly chatbot that helps novice users make a purchase quickly and efficiently by asking simple business-specific questions.

4 Benefits of Guided Buying

1. Ease of use

The plug and play guided buying tool is easy to use. It makes change management easier for a business, which otherwise is time-consuming and requires multiple approvals of different teams.

2. Improves spend compliance

With its automated workflows, guided buying directs buyers to preferred suppliers, or the right category managers. It makes compliant buying fast and simple for users. Additionally, it helps restrict the addition of new suppliers in the system.

3. Enhances savings

By helping users purchase from preferred suppliers at negotiated prices, guided buying can lead to immediate cost savings. Further, it adds value in the long term by reducing the need for training and change management.

4. Reduces dependence on procurement

Guided buying is helpful for non-procurement users who are not part of the buying process and not aware of preferred suppliers or contracts. By simplifying the buying experience for these users, it eases the workload on procurement teams.

The adoption of guided buying can smoothen the transition to a full-scale digital transformation. Once this tool is deployed, gradual backend system updates for digital transformation can be made without impacting the user experience.

To learn more about how guided buying can help procurement (and non-procurement users) in your organization, download our white paper -- How Guided Buying Can Boost Spend Compliance and Cost Savings | GEP