The Road to Ready
How ready are you to anticipate and respond to the unexpected? To drive better performance from your suppliers? To expand the value you bring to your organization?
These are the big questions facing procurement leaders right now, and ones we set out to answer. That’s why SAP, in collaboration with Oxford Economics, surveyed 1,000 global procurement and supply chain executives to understand how they are driving agility and resilience in their organizations.
The results are in, with the data synthesized across five key research reports.
It’s time to explore the findings and learn how you, too, can be ready for whatever comes next.
Agile Procurement Insights Research by SAP
Use the tabs to learn about each report. After you download your first choice, you can download all the rest without completing another form, as long as this window stays open.
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Digital Transformation:
Procurement-powered performance
Discover how procurement digital transformation is driving greater compliance, accurate transactions accuracy, and better supplier collaboration.
What’s in the report
- 01 The call for readiness How prepared are procurement leaders to navigate this dynamic business environment? The answer might surprise you.
- 02 Procurement technologies Companies must be agile and ready for the unexpected. The data makes the case for digital transformation.
- 03 The three keys to leaders’ success Discover how leaders are achieving greater benefits from procurement digital transformation.
3 Things You Can Do Now
You’ve discovered how procurement leaders are responding to the challenges they face. And you’ve seen how some are not. To respond to today’s challenges, here are three resources that can help you implement the guidance outlined in the report.
Transform procurement with SAP solutions
Explore how you can achieve procurement digital transformation.
See solution overviewAttend a webinar
Hear lessons learned from industry-leading SAP customers to help you drive more value in your organization.
Sign me upSee Agile Procurement in Action!
Watch how manufacturer ’72 Bikes is meeting the demand for climate-conscious products using the SAP spend management system and business network.
Start the tour2 in 5
executives say that most or all of their processes are manual
50%
of executives say that digital transformation of procurement is not a priority for the business
81%
of leaders say that digital transformation of their procurement function improved supplier performance management
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Supplier Risk:
Getting closer to see further
Learn how advanced analytics are helping procurement leaders use third-party data to predict and manage supplier risk and make better decisions faster.
What’s in the report
- 01 Challenges in supplier risk management How organizations are managing risk, the challenges they face, and where they need to improve.
- 02 “Just in case” supply chains What got you here won’t get you there. Learn how leaders are rethinking their supplier risk strategies, anticipating risk, and preparing to overcome disruption.
- 03 On the road to better risk management Seven steps you can take to start managing supplier risk more effectively.
3 Things You Can Do Now
You’ve discovered how procurement leaders are responding to the challenges they face. And you’ve seen how some are not. To respond to today’s challenges, here are three resources that can help you implement the guidance outlined in the report.
Attend a webinar
Hear how advanced analytics are helping organizations around the world use third-party data to predict and manage supplier risk.
Sign me upSee Agile Procurement in Action!
Watch how manufacturer ’72 Bikes is meeting the demand for climate-conscious products using the SAP spend management system and business network.
Start the tourOnly
1/3
of executives say their supplier risk management is highly effective
Only
50%
of executives can quickly find alternative sources of supply
Just
48%
of executives say they have near-real-time or real-time visibility into inventory levels in company facilities
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Direct Spend:
Close collaboration that goes beyond transactions
Find out how leading direct spend executives collaborate more effectively with essential suppliers, avoiding shortages and improving performance.
What’s in the report
- 01 The lay of the land Explore the challenges facing direct spend today and how leaders are overcoming those hurdles to drive competitive advantage in this economic environment.
- 02 Three best practices Three key actions direct spend leaders take to drive better business outcomes.
- 03 Raise your game Six steps you can take to raise your game when it comes to managing direct spend.
3 Things You Can Do Now
You’ve discovered how procurement leaders are responding to the challenges they face. And you’ve seen how some are not. To respond to today’s challenges, here are three resources that can help you implement the guidance outlined in the report.
Synchronize collaboration with SAP solutions
Learn how SAP solutions can help you synchronize planning and execution across the extended supply chain.
Learn moreAttend a webinar
Direct spend leaders treat suppliers as partners. Learn how you can level up your game when it comes to managing spend.
Sign me upSee Agile Procurement in Action!
Watch how manufacturer ’72 Bikes is meeting the demand for climate-conscious products using the SAP spend management system and business network.
Start the tour1 in 3
executives still use phone, email and spreadsheets as their main means of collaborating with external partners on key supply chain processes
57%
of executives report poor visibility into inventory levels managed by direct spend suppliers
Only
26%
of executives say their collaboration with suppliers is highly effective to fix shortages and overages
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External Workforce:
Agility isn’t always on the payroll
The external workforce gives companies agility and better resiliency. Find out how full visibility of this huge spend category will help you deliver better outcomes.
What’s in the report
- 01 The huge spend category that needs to be on your radar Only 58% of workforce spend is on employees. Discover who comprises the other 42% and why you should be paying attention.
- 02 The external workforce is essential for resiliency and agility Learn how the external workforce helps organizations realize business goals such as managing costs, boosting agility, and reducing risk.
- 03 Three key actions to take right now Discover how you can manage your external workforce to drive better business outcomes.
3 Things You Can Do Now
You’ve discovered how procurement leaders are responding to the challenges they face. And you’ve seen how some are not. To respond to today’s challenges, here are three resources that can help you implement the guidance outlined in the report.
Optimize external talent with SAP solutions
Discover how SAP solutions can help you gain end-to-end visibility and control over every aspect of your flexible labor.
Learn moreAttend a webinar
Join us to find out how successful procurement leaders such as Barclays rise above and deliver better business outcomes.
Sign me upSee Agile Procurement in Action!
Watch how manufacturer ’72 Bikes is meeting the demand for climate-conscious products using the SAP spend management system and business network.
Start the tour42%
of workforce spend is on external workforce
73%
of executives say external workforce is important to operating at full capacity and meeting market demands
Just
48%
of executives say they have near-real-time or real-time visibility into inventory levels in company facilities
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Procurement Leaders:
Leaders aim higher
A small group of executives in our research outperforms the rest. Discover how these leaders are elevating the strategic value of procurement to the business.
What’s in the report
- 01 What makes a leader? We identified a group of leaders — about 10% of executives — who stand head and shoulders above the rest. Discover who they are and how they are lighting the way.
- 02 How the leaders compare Discover the four key actions that drive leaders’ success in procurement digital transformation.
- 03 Boost your impact What can we learn from the leaders? And how can you, as a procurement executive, drive more value in your organization?
3 Things You Can Do Now
You’ve discovered how procurement leaders are responding to the challenges they face. And you’ve seen how some are not. To respond to today’s challenges, here are three resources that can help you implement the guidance outlined in the report.
Strengthen collaboration with SAP solutions
Explore how SAP solutions can help you strengthen collaboration inside and outside the organization.
Learn moreAttend a webinar
Learn about success among SAP customers. Find out who these industry leaders are and the lessons they learned to outshine the rest.
Sign me upSee Agile Procurement in Action!
Watch how manufacturer ’72 Bikes is meeting the demand for climate-conscious products using the SAP spend management system and business network.
Start the tour90%
of leaders have invested in supplier management technology
99%
of leaders use machine learning and AI to analyze data for decision making
70%
of leaders are able to gain a clear view of overall spend in real-time vs just 17% of others