The objective of a Purchasing Manager or a Procurement Manger is to facilitate the in flow of goods and services to the organization, in such a way as to match specific organizational requirements, in the timeliest way, at the most advantageous prices. The application of e-Procurement techniques provides a means of improving efficiencies in specific segments of the supply chain management systems, thereby facilitating the achievement of the Procurement Manager’s objectives.

1. Automated Procurement Process for Enhanced Value Network
It can be extremely difficult to achieve optimum control and efficiency in a value network, in today’s highly
competitive, complex and volatile business environment. A value network is multi enterprise and spans
over the industries of the numerous e-commerce partners that participate in an end-to-end collaboration.
In order to understand e-procurement, it is important to understand the supply chain and how e-
procurement can be used for an enhanced value network.
The objective of a Purchasing Manager or a Procurement Manger is to facilitate the in flow of goods and
services to the organization, in such a way as to match specific organizational requirements, in the
timeliest way, at the most advantageous prices. The application of e-Procurement techniques provides a
means of improving efficiencies in specific segments of the supply chain management systems, thereby
facilitating the achievement of the Procurement Manager’s objectives. Traditional methods and tools are
not sufficient to manage the widely-distributed, business-critical resources in the value network.
Many organizations today use cloud computing to take control and manage their value networks. Cloud
Processes integrate and automate the business processes of the entire value network across partners
and the systems they use. They provides end-to-end visibility of the entire value network based on real-
time information and access to all key master information, whether it resides inside or outside your own
network.
An automated procurement and purchasing process integrates a company’s buyers with its suppliers
together with the relevant IT systems on both sides. Together, these elements constitute the company’s
value network of collaborating partners. This improves your organizational efficiency and reduces the
administrative costs of all steps in the procurement process. It significantly enhances your company’s
control over procurement activities at all levels. True e-procurement is beyond traditional purchase order
software and post award management.
With automated procurement process, essential business information readily available to all authorized
constituents across the Value Network. It provides the end-to-end visibility of real-time business
information at the operational, tactical, and strategic levels. It also provides business process agility
necessary to cope with today’s volatile, complex, and super interconnected globalized markets.
Automated cloud processes can be custom-built to specific customer requirements. While they take
responsibility for many of their products far beyond the point of sale, they also they are responsible for the
recycling and return of worn out goods in some cases.
Automated procurement processes for the value network enable management to take control of end-to-

2. end business processes and automate the basic interaction among its participants. They help shorten the
lead times in value added activities in the value network.
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