Why Data is the Alpha And Omega of the Future

Do you feel like your procurement team is in good shape when it comes to your existing e-procurement solution? Sure you won't get "stuck" with an obsolete system? Think about these questions as we discuss the importance of data in procure to pay.

It's not an exaggeration to say 90 percent of today's procurement technologies will be obsolete in the coming years. While much of today's tech has some great functionality, when you put it up against the backdrop of a world where the big value is in the data more than the tactical functionality, it's clear that they'll simply be left behind! 

Don't believe me? Think this is "out there?" Let me elaborate...

Why can't Alexa answer my questions?

Nowadays, many of us use Amazon's intelligent personal assistant, Alexa, or similar AI applications. If you have, you'll know that they're not always adept at answering the questions we ask of them. Why? It's simply because they don't have enough data...yet!

Imagine machines that could:

• Manage all your discrepancies for you 

• Detect fraudulent procurement 

• Code your non-PO invoices 

This is the point at which technology gets a lot more exciting, and we're not far from reaching these dizzying heights. The question procurement teams must ask is whether their organisation has the volume, quality and completeness of data to allow these machines to learn, provide accurate predictions and take accurate actions on the organisation's behalf.  And to be sure of that, we need to look ahead...

The here and now won't help you tomorrow!

I've spoken before on the downfall of Siebel as an example of what happens when organisations only live in the here and now, solving the problems of today without looking ahead to tomorrow. 

In 2017, the situation hasn't changed. But this time, it's not just about Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). Procurement technologies, and technologies in general, have fully embraced SaaS and the big tech shift that's coming next is data. 

If the system you're looking to install is not capable of actually capturing all your transactional data – and doing so in a centrally architected manner such that you can get more value from data beyond just the data that your organisation itself generates – then all those snazzy pieces of functionality, all that beautiful user interface, all those pretty little graphs aren't worth a dime! 

Not only will your existing business case completely fail. 

Not only will you not receive the ROI you planned on today.

Tomorrow the system will be obsolete, and you might as well have selected Siebel! 

When it comes to selecting SaaS procure-to-pay systems, business cases are built on the ability to:  

• Eliminate maverick spend

• Identify opportunities for strategic sourcing

• Consolidate the supply base

• Automate approval processes

• Automate matching

• Eliminate paper

• Take advantage of terms discounts.

There's no two ways about it: You can't use artificial intelligence if you don't have the centralised data for those machines to learn from. It is data that feeds AI and other emerging technologies – you need data more than anything else for success in the future.

And so, my key takeaway now and always is: when you are putting together your RFPs for systems, data better be first and foremost on your mind.

Read more on preparing for AI in procurement in this Gartner research report. 

This blog post originally appeared on Procurious.com.