e-Sourcing software: Easy does it with usability and user adoption

In the world of procurement, there is a lingering sense of disappointment that e-sourcing is not meeting its full potential of maximising efficiency and reducing costs. The two following research findings make for interesting reading:

  1. According to an industry survey by the Sand Hill Group and Neochange, the most critical factor for any software success and return-on-investment is effective user adoption: 70% of respondents listed it as the number one priority.
  2. The lack of a procurement team member with eSourcing skills was identified as one of the major obstacles to e-sourcing adoption, according to a recent survey of the UK procurement industry conducted by the Bristol Business School and CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply).

What can we take from this? User adoption is key to the successful implementation of e-sourcing applications, and usability (i.e. software that can be fully utilised with minimal training and specialist knowledge) is an essential stepping stone to user adoption. e-Sourcing software has been widely available for over a decade yet there is still a perception that the software is necessarily complex and requires a particular skill set.  A belief reinforced no doubt, by the unwieldiness of much market-leading management software.

Even organisations that have adopted e-sourcing are seemingly reluctant to place their trust in software usability.  Technology researchers Gartner estimate that only 25-30% of the Global 5,000 have provided e-procurement access to non-procurement personnel.  It appears that software developers are failing to meet the expectations of CPOs.

The challenge therefore, is to develop e-sourcing applications that are easy to use, and as engaging and enjoyable as popular consumer sites such as Amazon and EBay. In a mature market where most e-sourcing products have many of the same functions, applications that feature great usability and minimal training requirements will seize the day.

Read more:

Trends in e-sourcing II: Project management empowering modern procurement professionals
Trends in e-sourcing III: Plugging the hole of indirect spend
Trends in e-sourcing IV: Affordability – making your time and money count
Trends in e-sourcing V: SEPA 2014 – matching innovation in e-payments

Recommended Posts