Tech Stack Remix: Fine Tuning Your Procurement System 

Feeling overwhelmed by the exploding procurement technology landscape?

Join Natasha, Conrad, and Zach as they break down the evolution of procurement tech from paper-based systems to today’s AI-powered solutions. Get practical advice on assessing your tech stack, learn why “less is more” with customization, and discover how to choose the right tools for your organization. From master data management to the “suite vs. best-of-breed” debate, our procurement experts share real-world insights on navigating the complex world of procurement technology.

Featured topics:

• Future of AI in procurement
• Evolution of procurement technology
• Tech stack assessment strategies
• Master data management
• System selection best practices

Key Message | Build a flexible, scalable tech stack focused on outcomes, with clean data at its core, while avoiding over-customization that could limit future capabilities.

Watch now or read the transcript below.

Transcript: Proc-N-Roll 11 | Tech Stack Remix: Fine Tuning Your Procurement System

Natasha | Welcome to Proc and Roll, your guide to practical procurement. Today we’re diving deep into procurement technology with Zach and Conrad, exploring how technology solutions shape modern procurement.

Zach | When looking at procurement technology, I take a process lens – the source to pay process. It’s the end-to-end procurement process from initial sourcing through supplier management. This includes: source to contract (sourcing, contract management, onboarding), procure to pay (transactional management, invoicing, purchase orders), and supplier relationship management tools.

Natasha | Let’s talk about master data. There are two schools of thought: clean the data first, or start working with what you have. What’s your view?

Zach |  The most critical element is your supplier identification record. This supplier identifier connects everything – upstream, downstream, and across systems. Think of it like CRM systems – every customer has a unique ID that connects all their data. Procurement needs the same approach with supplier data.

Conrad |  The tech stack is the bundle of technologies supporting your procurement process. A key challenge is supplier management – many organizations struggle because they’ve made technology decisions around one process area without considering how it fits with others. You need both horizontal (transactions) and vertical (supplier management) integration, with data at the core connecting everything.

Natasha | For new procurement leaders, how should they assess their tech stack?

Conrad | Start with inventory – map out your current processes and technologies. Many organizations still use email and spreadsheets for some processes. You might find multiple tools doing the same thing across different departments. Take a step back and apply strategy to this organic evolution.

Zach |  Create a visual mapping of your source to pay process showing how tools connect and where data flows between them. If you see lots of complicated connections, that shows potential issues.

Key Considerations for Tech Stack Decisions:

1. Integrations with IT strategy
2. Balance between procurement ownership and tech support
3. Standardization vs customization
4. Data management and connectivity
5. Scalability and future needs

Evolution of Procurement Technology:

• 1990’s: Paper-based Systems
• 2000’s: Basic digital tools
• 2017: 13 major procurement technology companies
• 2025: Over 300 companies offering solutions

Key Takeaways:

1. Focus on outcomes when selecting technology
2. Start with core ERP functionality (ordering and paying)
3. Build a flexible “scaffolding” that allows for future changes
4. Minimize customization to maintain flexibility
5. Standardize processes where possible
6. Consider AI readiness in technology decisions

Natasha |  In the last 24 months, $99 billion has been invested in AI, with $2 billion specifically in procurement. This technology will transform procurement systems to unprecedented levels.

Zach | Procurement teams are already embracing AI, showing the highest usage among corporate functions. The future looks promising for procurement technology innovation.

This transcript has been edited for clarity while maintaining all substantive content