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An efficient purchasing process is crucial for companies to reduce costs and increase competitiveness. While direct procurement, which involves the purchase of raw materials and products, is often in the limelight, too indirect purchasing special attention.

Various tasks shape the field of procurement logistics, including strategic supplier selection, order processing, implementation of e-procurement systems and optimization of the entire material flow. Particular attention is paid to a smooth process from receipt of order to physical acceptance of goods upon receipt of goods.

Indirect procurement supports the company overall, as opposed to direct procurement of production materials. Effective strategies are aimed at cost optimization and long-term vendor relationships.

Even in times of e-mail, chatbots and machine-2-machine communication, the principle “transactions are done between people” applies — at least in the B2B segment. Especially in medium-sized companies, business relationships are always personal relationships.

The conversion of the paper-based order request (BANF) to a digital process is sometimes perceived as a burden by the affected employees in the specialist departments. Familiar, cherished ways of working are omitted; instead, new, unknown processes must be learned.

Procurement platforms often focus on C-parts and indirect procurement. But how do A, B and C parts actually differentiate themselves from one another? What challenges does the purchasing department face when it comes to procurement? And what does “indirect procurement” mean? Here is a disambiguation.