Spend Matters Report Analyzes VMS and Services Procurement Technology Requirements

Study Finds Companies Need Different Capabilities to Support Contingent and Non-Contingent Spending Areas


CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - February 17, 2010) - Spend Matters, the leading procurement and supply chain blog and research hub, today announced the publication of a new report entitled, "Selecting Services Procurement Technology - Options, Approaches, and Philosophy."

Based on interviews with dozens of practitioners, software companies, managed services providers (MSPs) and consultancies, the findings suggest that companies should look beyond better known technology providers, including SAP and Oracle, when it comes to identifying the right solutions. In addition to analyzing strengths and weaknesses of different approaches and providers, the report provides functional checklists for companies to use in determining their own unique needs.

Jason Busch, Principal Analyst of the study, suggests that, "As procurement organizations become more involved in contingent and non-contingent services spending decisions, they often learn about some of the benefits of technology and process automation. But not all solutions and approaches are created equal, especially when it comes to enabling procurement organizations to gain greater control of their services expenditures, whether working collaboratively with an MSP partner or independently. Moreover, companies often overlook the role of advanced analytics and technology integration capabilities when considering solutions that are ideal for their environment."

This latest Spend Matters report is part of a new Spend Matters Compass research series dedicated to examining a range of services procurement topics. Other topics in this free series include:

  • Services Spend: Beyond Contingent Labor -- The Roll of Broader Services Categories in an Overall Services Spend Management Program
  • Making Procurement a Services Spend Ally -- Tips and Tactics for Winning Over Business (publishing March 2010)
  • The Managed Services Connection -- The Evolving Roll of MSPs in the Contingent Spending Ecosystem (publishing April 2010). 

Readers can download this free report and other complimentary studies directly from the Spend Matters website: http://www.spendmatters.com/library

About Spend Matters

Spend Matters is a blog and research site dedicated to examining a range of procurement and supply management issues. Founded in 2004, Spend Matters is the longest running and highest trafficked research and social media site in the sourcing and supply chain realm.

Contact Information:

Media Contact:
William Busch:
215-508-7414