This category highlights technologies that automate and streamline the procurement process and manual, repetitive tasks to increase efficiency, lower related operating costs, reduce errors, and improve the experiences of everyone involved in the processes. In addition, procurement specialists can move into higher-value work such as category management and analysis.

This category acknowledges and reinforces the principle that suppliers are a critical source of business value and not just a category of business spending that needs to be reduced. Technologies in this category unlock value from suppliers to improve performance, quality, innovation, and collaboration.

This category supports the implementation of emerging technologies that address all or part of the procurement process with the aim of generating measurable bottom line savings. These technologies also address savings made through re-negotiation of contract terms and conditions, administrative and operational process improvements, and the intelligent use of data.

Technologies in this category make risk assessment and due diligence part of the procurement process. They help procurement organisations understand risk, manage and mitigate it, and build robust supply chains, both upstream and downstream, that can weather disruptions with minimal impact and stay resilient.

This category showcases technologies that embed corporate social responsibility (CSR) principles into the procurement processes and the supply chain as a whole. Focused on three key impact areas – environmental, social and economic responsibility – these technologies are taking a variety of approaches to innovating the company’s sustainable procurement activities from human rights issues to carbon emissions.