What is meant by Procurement workflow?
A "procurement workflow" refers to the structured and automated process of acquiring materials and services within a company. It encompasses all steps from requirement identification through ordering to goods receipt and invoice verification. The workflow aims to make the procurement process more efficient, transparent, and error-free.
Typical Functions of Software in Procurement Workflow:
- Requirement Identification: Automated capture and analysis of material and service needs.
- Requisition Management: Creation and approval of purchase requisitions.
- Supplier Selection: Management and evaluation of suppliers and solicitation of quotations.
- Ordering: Creation, approval, and tracking of purchase orders.
- Approval Processes: Integrated workflows for approvals and authorizations by relevant stakeholders.
- Goods Receipt: Recording and verification of incoming goods deliveries.
- Invoice Verification: Matching invoices with purchase orders and goods receipts, and approval for payment.
- Reporting and Analysis: Generation of reports and analyses to monitor and optimize the procurement process.
- Integration with Other Systems: Connectivity to ERP systems and other enterprise information systems for seamless data transfer and process integration.
- Archiving and Documentation: Securing and managing all documents and transactions in the procurement process.