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Writer's pictureAugust Consulting

Future Service Models: How Procurement as a Service is Changing the Game

Updated: Oct 18, 2023

In today’s dynamic economic landscape, the importance of strategic procurement is vital for the success and longevity of businesses across all industries. The role of procurement has evolved from a mere operational function to a critical driver of success, as businesses strive to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and stay ahead of the curve. This evolution has paved the way for innovative approaches like Procurement as a Service (PaaS) to revolutionise how businesses manage their procurement processes.


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What is Procurement as a Service (PaaS)

Fundamentally, PaaS represents an elevated approach to procurement management. In contrast to the traditional in-house procurement model where all facets of procurement are managed internally, PaaS offers businesses a strategic outsourcing solution. It involves partnering with procurement specialists to oversee various procurement functions – from sourcing and supplier selection to contract management, data analysis, and performance management. PaaS can be tailored to suit a business’s specific requirements, with procurement services ranging in level of involvement; from advisory support all the way through to full-scope, end-to-end procurement.


The value of efficient procurement

Forward-thinking business leaders are recognising that efficient procurement goes far beyond the mere act of purchasing. It involves a more strategic approach including advanced analytics, complex negotiations, strategic supplier relationships, risk mitigation, and a delicate balance between cost saving without compromising quality. With this in mind, businesses are realising that investing in a specialist PaaS provider is quickly becoming a powerful competitive advantage.


Flow chart comparing Traditional Procurement with PaaS

How PaaS is transforming traditional models

PaaS redefines how businesses approach procurement and can unlock numerous benefits across entire organisations. PaaS frees businesses from the limitations of resource-intensive, in-house procurement processes and enables them to leverage the market intelligence and industry knowledge of procurement experts. This shift allows business leaders to focus their energy on other strategic pursuits, instead of being caught up in the complexity of procurement activities. In addition, PaaS offers significantly more flexibility and scalability than traditional procurement models. PaaS specialists are skilled in swiftly adapting as markets fluctuate and business demands evolve, ensuring that procurement strategies remain aligned with the organisation’s key goals and objectives.


The future of procurement

As business technology evolves, it’s inevitable that the future of procurement will have a strong focus on digital innovation. Businesses investing in PaaS will have a proverbial ‘leg up’ by engaging specialists equipped with expert knowledge in supply chain optimisation and cutting-edge procurement technology. For businesses that may struggle to invest and implement these technologies on their own, PaaS offers valuable access to advanced analytics, tools, and systems, enabling them to stay competitive without the time and resource investment of developing these capabilities in-house.


Ready to embrace the future of procurement? To learn more about how Procurement as a Service can optimise your business strategy, contact August Consulting by phone, email, or via our social media channels.

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