This episode of The Procurement Software Podcast tackles the often-overlooked challenge of securing a budget for procurement technologies. Host James Meads provides actionable strategies to overcome this hurdle, emphasising the importance of starting small with pilot studies and opting for affordable, user-based software solutions. He also explores how procurement professionals can work smarter by reallocating existing budgets. Doing so can clearly demonstrate ROI to gain buy-in from financial d...
Aug 14, 2024•16 min•Season 5Ep. 22
This episode of The Procurement Software Podcast delves into the impact of technology and AI on category manager roles in procurement. Host James Meads explores how advancements in tech can potentially change the landscape of procurement and discusses specific areas like spend analytics that can benefit from AI applications. Tune in to learn more about the evolving role of category managers in the era of technological advancements. Will Tech and AI make Category Management irrelevant? In this ep...
Aug 07, 2024•20 min•Season 5Ep. 21
This week on The Procurement Software Podcast, host James Meads delves into some unique technology needs that direct procurement teams are often facing. James explores how specialised tech stacks, including advanced inventory management systems, supplier relationship tools, and risk mitigation software, can address the distinct challenges faced by direct procurement teams. Tune in to uncover how these cutting-edge technologies enhance efficiency, mitigate risks, and foster stronger supplier rela...
Aug 01, 2024•24 min•Season 5Ep. 20
This week on The Procurement Software Podcast, host James Meads sits down with Jonathan O'Brien, Founder and CEO of Positive Purchasing. The conversation explores the transformative influence of technology on procurement training and learning. Jonathan, renowned for his podcast, The Procurement Show, as well as being a serial author of procurement textbooks, brings a polished, radio-inspired approach to the conversation. Join us for an insightful discussion on how technology is transforming proc...
Jul 24, 2024•28 min•Season 5Ep. 19
This week on The Procurement Software Podcast, host James Meads dives into the world of entrepreneurial procurement. Tune in to discover how this approach encourages innovation, efficiency, and greater value delivery, transforming the procurement function into a strategic driver within organisations. Entrepreneurial Procurement: Pragmatism over Rigid Process In this episode, we explore adopting an entrepreneurial mindset in procurement, focusing on prioritising results over rigid processes. By t...
Jul 17, 2024•18 min•Season 5Ep. 18
In this episode of the Procurement Software Podcast, we welcome back Andrew Daly, a partner at specialist recruitment firm Edbury Daley. Andrew previously joined us on Episode 11 back in May to discuss digital skills. Today, we delve into how procurement professionals can transition into careers in procurement technology. Many procurement pros feel burnt out. So, let's explore how you can leverage your skills in a less stressful, and probably more rewarding role within the procurement tech space...
Jul 10, 2024•27 min•Season 5Ep. 17
This week on The Procurement Software Podcast, host James Meads dives into the world of no-code procurement tools and generative AI. James explores how these technologies enable teams to build custom applications and streamline processes without coding expertise. Tune in to discover how no-code and AI technologies are transforming procurement, making simple and easy-to-use solutions accessible, especially to smaller and medium-sized organisations. No Code Procurement: Is Make vs. Buy back on the...
Jul 03, 2024•18 min•Season 5Ep. 16
This week on The Procurement Software Podcast, host James Meads brings on guest Oliver Jones from Procure4, a UK-based procurement consultancy known for their focus on the mid-market and being solution agnostic. Oliver shares insights and tips for effective procurement tech implementation, offering a unique perspective on the process. Tune in to gain valuable knowledge on driving successful technology adoption in procurement. How to get ROI on digital procurement transformation In this episode, ...
Jun 26, 2024•34 min•Season 5Ep. 15
On this episode of The Procurement Software Podcast, host James Meads dives into the world of procurement tech startups. With over 440 solutions in our software directory over at app.procurementsoftware.site, we aim to educate procurement leaders on the vast array of software options available to them. There's so much more out there than just the tired, legacy technology that seems to sponsor all of the conferences. Highlighting 25 innovative European-based procurement startups, the episode prov...
Jun 19, 2024•38 min•Season 5Ep. 14
On this episode of The Procurement Software Podcast, host James Meads dives into the world of procurement tech startups. With over 440 solutions in our software directory over at app.procurementsoftware.site, we aim to educate procurement leaders on the vast array of software options available to them. There's so much more out there than just clunky, legacy technology. Highlighting 25 innovative US-based procurement startups, the episode provides valuable insights into emerging players who don't...
Jun 12, 2024•27 min•Season 5Ep. 13
This week on The Procurement Software Podcast, host James Meads explores the challenges faced by organisations in adopting and utilising new software technologies. James discusses an interesting article from The Guardian titled "Your Office Software Is Not the Problem, You Are," highlighting tensions around software usability and adaptability within large organisations. Tune in as we explore these conflicting perspectives and provide insights on how both software providers and organisations can ...
Jun 05, 2024•20 min•Season 5Ep. 12
This week on The Procurement Software Podcast, host James Meads chats to guest Andrew Daley, a partner at EdburyDaley, a specialist recruitment firm in the UK. Andrew sheds light on some of the differences between recruiting individuals for procurement tech companies, and how it differs from hiring for traditional procurement roles. Tune in to gain insights into how technology is shaping the procurement profession and discover the tools to stay ahead in the game. Are digital skills in procuremen...
May 29, 2024•41 min•Season 5Ep. 11
This week on The Procurement Software Podcast, host James Meads explores different price points for procurement technology applications. James discusses software options costing less than $20,000 to $25,000 per year, those ranging from $25,000 to $75,000 annually, and higher-end solutions. Tune in to discover what each price point can offer your procurement team and how to make the most of your tech budget. How much do digital procurement tools cost? In this episode, the focus is on the broad sp...
May 15, 2024•13 min•Season 5Ep. 10
This week on The Procurement Software Podcast, we delve into the topic of selecting technology in a greenfield procurement role. Host James explores what technology he would invest in if given the opportunity to lead a digital transformation in procurement. Join us for a deep dive into the world of procurement technology and decision-making. What digital procurement tools should you buy first? In this podcast episode, the importance of incorporating spend analytics software into procurement is h...
May 08, 2024•17 min•Season 5Ep. 9
On this episode of The Procurement Software Podcast, host James welcomes back Ward Karson, COO of Raindrop. They discuss how AI applications in source-to-pay technology can be confusing, and how organisations can best navigate the vast array of solutions available. Ward, a veteran procurement professional, shares valuable insights to help listeners stay ahead in the ever-evolving procurement landscape. Tune in for expert advice on embracing change and ensuring that new, cutting edge developments...
May 01, 2024•33 min•Season 5Ep. 8
This week on The Procurement Software Podcast, host James Meads delves into the topic of why reviews and best-of lists may not be as helpful as they seem when choosing procurement software. The episode also touches on the lack of transparency in some top procurement tech listings, cautioning listeners to be wary of sponsored content. Tune in to gain insights on navigating the complex landscape of procurement software selection. Why Procurement Software reviews are of limited use This episode und...
Apr 24, 2024•12 min•Season 5Ep. 7
This week on The Procurement Software Podcast, host James delves into the concept of creating the ideal procurement team by combining human expertise with technology. Emphasizing the importance of leveraging existing resources without expecting additional budget, the episode explores ways to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of a procurement team and its wage bill. Join the discussion on how to merge human talent with technological advancements to elevate procurement's efficiency and add...
Apr 17, 2024•14 min•Season 5Ep. 6
In this episode of The Procurement Software Podcast, host James Meads explores invoice automation's efficiency in reducing invoicing time and tackling employee retention issues. Guest Kevin Kazenmeyer from Tradecentric shares insights on channel development, and transitioning from procurement to a supplier role. Tune in and discover how technology such as invoice automation enhances procurement efficiency. Accounts payable automation isn't sexy but it's key This episode delved into the transform...
Apr 10, 2024•33 min•Season 5Ep. 5
In this episode of The Procurement Software Podcast, host James Meads delves into the topic of whether AI could make procurement as a profession irrelevant. The discussion highlights the significance of embracing generative AI, despite privacy and confidentiality concerns. Tune in to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of procurement technology. What impact will AI in procurement have on jobs? This podcast episode delves into the significant impact of generative AI technologies li...
Apr 03, 2024•18 min•Season 5Ep. 4
This episode of The Procurement Software Podcast delves into the debate surrounding the marketplace functionalities introduced by SAP Ariba and Coupa. Host James Meads discusses whether these launches are a desperate attempt to retain market share, or a very smart, strategic move. Tune in to gain insights into the evolving landscape of procurement technology. Will SAP Ariba and Coupa marketplaces be successful? This podcast episode examines SAP Ariba and Coupa's strategic use of marketplaces to ...
Mar 27, 2024•20 min•Season 5Ep. 3
In this episode of The Procurement Software Podcast, host James Meads interviews Rujul Zaparde, founder and CEO of Zip. They discuss the importance of embracing modernisation and digitisation in procurement. Rujul shares insights on how to effectively allocate a budget for driving change within the function, highlighting the significance of control and visibility over spend in today's procurement landscape. Tune in for valuable tips on leveraging technology to transform procurement processes and...
Mar 20, 2024•29 min•Season 5Ep. 2
In this episode of The Procurement Software Podcast, host James Meads announces the rebranding of the podcast and explains the reasons behind it. Initially launched as The Procuretech Podcast, the show has evolved over the years and now aligns with the procurementsoftware.site brand. Tune in to stay updated and inspired by the exciting developments in the field. How to get a budget for procurement tech This episode delves into the evolving procurement technology market, highlighting a trend towa...
Mar 13, 2024•33 min•Season 5Ep. 1
In this episode of The Procuretech Podcast, host James Meads is joined by Simon Geale, VP of Procurement at leading UK-based consultancy Proxima. This is a fireside chat-style episode about the latest trends in procurement technology. Simon talks about his background and role at Proxima, and the company's focus on serving large enterprise clients with complex procurement problems. They also touch on Proxima's acquisition by Bain and its potential impact. Tune in to hear their insights on how tec...
Nov 22, 2023•35 min•Season 4Ep. 29
In this episode of The Procuretech Podcast, host James Meads discusses the use of Generative AI in spend and data analytics applications with Sam Clive, Head of Product at Rosslyn. Sam recently delivered a keynote on this topic at ProcureCon EU, and James attended this presentation and thought it would make a great podcast. They dive into the potential of Generative AI and its impact on procurement. Tune in to learn more about how this technology is shaping the future of procurement. Generative ...
Nov 15, 2023•30 min•Season 4Ep. 28
In this episode of The Procuretech Podcast, host James Meads explores the digitisation challenges faced by mid-market companies with guest Hans Boot, a partner from consulting firm Durch Denken Vorne, specialising in this sector. They discuss their experiences working with small and mid-sized companies in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany. They touch on topics like organisational development, digitisation of processes, indirect costs, and risk management. Tune in to gain insights on navigating t...
Nov 08, 2023•37 min•Season 4Ep. 27
In this episode of The Procuretech Podcast, host James Meads welcomes back Edmund Zagorin, Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Arkestro. They discuss the use of predictive models in various areas of procurement and supply chain. Tune in for an insightful and forward-thinking conversation about the future of procurement and technology. Predictive procurement orchestration: what is it? This episode focuses on user-friendly technology in the procurement industry, catering to the expectations of t...
Nov 01, 2023•27 min•Season 4Ep. 26
In this episode of The Procuretech Podcast, host James Meads explores the challenges of sourcing consultancy services and how to optimise the process. He is joined by Laurent Thomas, the co-founder and president of Consulting Quest. Together, they discuss the unique complexities of sourcing consultancy services and provide insights on how technology can help streamline the process. Tune in to learn more about this final frontier of procurement and discover strategies for sourcing consultancy ser...
Oct 25, 2023•35 min•Season 4Ep. 25
In this episode of The Procuretech Podcast, host James Meads welcomes Ryan Belcher, founder and CEO of Spendwise. They discuss the importance of sustainable and profitable growth for businesses of any size. Tune in to learn more about how technology can give businesses a leg up in today's competitive landscape. Solving the procurement talent shortage through automation The episode looks at why smaller organisations often are better off buying an off-the-shelf Source-to-Pay solution, rather than ...
Oct 18, 2023•25 min•Season 4Ep. 24
In this episode of The Procuretech Podcast, host James Meads first introduces the new look and feel of the website procurementsoftware.site. After months of work, the website now features a fresh and modern user interface, making it easier for users to navigate. Additionally, 65 new solutions have been added to the database, bringing the total to over 400. The episode also mentions the launch of two new digital products as part of the website refresh. Tune in to learn more about the exciting dev...
Oct 11, 2023•28 min•Season 4Ep. 23
In this episode of The Procuretech Podcast, host James Meads welcomes Karthik Rama, also known as The Procurement Doctor, to discuss the current state of procurement and the barriers preventing investment in innovative startups and procurement tech companies. They explore the history and symptoms of the issue, and then offer potential solutions. Join us for an exciting and insightful conversation in the digital procurement space. Plug-and-play procurement technology: is it a fallacy? In this epi...
Oct 04, 2023•35 min•Season 4Ep. 22
