rdaext on June 11, 2025

Turning digital procurement tools into real value: why implementation matters

If you’re considering the move to digital procurement, you’re not alone. Many companies in the Benelux are investing in powerful tools like Ivalua or GEP to automate supplier selection and purchasing processes. But technology alone won’t deliver the transformation you’re looking for.

The real challenge? Turning those tools into tangible business results.

The promise and the problem

e-Sourcing and e-Procurement platforms offer a compelling promise: more efficient procurement cycles, more savings, better data for decision-making, and stronger supplier relationships. For a forward-looking business, they can play a central role in risk mitigation, cost control, and long-term sustainability.

But too often, these platforms are underused. They’re implemented quickly, with limited alignment to the actual needs of the procurement team; or worse, treated as off-the-shelf solutions without considering the company’s structure or culture.

You might end up with a sophisticated platform that nobody fully understands and that doesn’t speak to your internal processes.

This is where the right implementation partner makes all the difference.

A technology investment is a transformation effort

Rolling out a procurement platform isn’t just an IT project. It’s a transformation initiative that requires alignment between your strategy, your people, and your systems.

It means asking the right questions from day one:

What should our sourcing process look like in a digital environment?
Which internal roles need to be involved, and how do we bring them on board?
How do we ensure that our teams use the platform to its full potential?

By treating e-Procurement as a strategic transformation —not just a software installation— you set yourself up for sustainable value creation.

A partner that grows with you

Kronos by EPSA helps businesses like yours unlock the full potential of digital procurement tools. We do this by combining hands-on implementation expertise with a deep understanding of strategic sourcing and supplier management.

Our teams are certified experts in platforms like Ivalua and GEP, and we’ve built a center of excellence that not only gets you up and running, but also ensures you’re evolving along with the technology.

We work with you to:

Configure the platform based on your actual procurement needs
Integrate it seamlessly into your existing IT landscape
Train your teams and build internal adoption
Provide ongoing guidance as your strategy evolves

Because the real value of procurement tools comes when they become part of your company’s day-to-day practices.

The long game

Implementing e-Sourcing or e-Procurement software is just the start. What happens next —how you adapt, refine, and grow— determines whether the investment truly pays off.

Whether you’re selecting suppliers, managing contracts, or navigating complex category strategies, your platform should act as an enabler, not a barrier.