Any large company with offices around the world knows how difficult it can be to meet the needs of everyone in the organization. Procurement managers are either overloaded with menial tasks and making sure all employees have the branded goods and supplies they need, or caution is thrown to the wind as each office does its own thing. Before you know it, inconsistent branding and a fractured corporate identity become very real problems.

Thankfully, technology has provided an effective solution to this problem in the form of purchasing automation. By purchasing automation, we mean the tools and software that can be used to automate the mundane and repetitive tasks inherent in any company’s procurement process. An example of purchasing automation is an Online Company Store — a dedicated online marketplace that gives employees a streamlined place to order branded materials and supplies.

In this blog post, we’ll outline five key ways purchasing automation technology can revolutionize your business.

1. Improve efficiency across the company

When an office in Singapore needs branded shirts and promotional supplies for an important upcoming sales fair, there isn’t time for the procurement officer back in the States to manually order each item and oversee delivery. With purchasing automation in place, you’re guaranteed high-quality supplies on time to make the best impression on the Southeast Asian market.

2. More effective decision-making

When employees have access to purchasing automation through a reliable online company store, they are able to dedicate more time and resources to ensuring effective decision-making. Business conditions are in a constant state of flux, so the sooner an order can be fulfilled the more it will align with the needs of the business. Purchasing automation maximizes the actual value of each procurement decision by significantly reducing the amount of time between order and delivery.

3. Optimize inventory management

In addition to increased convenience and efficiency, purchasing automation can provide unique visibility into the exact state of your company’s inventory. This can in turn be used to optimize supply levels in real-time, so you’re never overstocked or left wanting in times of need. In the case of an online company store, you additionally have access to an intuitive interface and dashboard that offers complete oversight of orders, stock, and availability issues.

4. Reduce the number of ordering errors

Purchasing automation reduces the chance of an incorrect order being placed, as the person who needs an item will themselves select that item and place the order. And if a mistake is made, it’s a lot easier to identify and rectify the problem quickly.

5. Create a consistent brand experience

As we’ve mentioned before, your branding is vital for creating a positive and coherent company narrative. With an automated purchasing system in place, many of the pitfalls and inefficiencies that lead to an inconsistent brand experience are effectively removed. Not only can employees around the world unite around the same branding and messaging — any customer-facing promotional event is also guaranteed to provide a high-quality and genuine brand experience.

One of the most impactful ways to embrace purchasing automation in your organization is with an online company store. If you would like to see first-hand how Proforma Durkee can help you create the perfect online store for your company, book a free demo today.