Procure to Pay
Why you should integrate E-procurement with your ERP System

E-procurement applications are meant to streamline the purchasing process not replace your ERP system. Integrating the both systems not only give you contract compliance, but allows automatic budget checking and allocation.

Some of the ERP packages provide APIs that help your e-procurement solution to communicate along various touch points throughout the procurement process. The procurement software presents contracts (as online catalogs), provide electronic approvals and PO Processing but still hands of the ERP functions where appropriate.

Each side works together to provide a seamless process as information flows back and forth. Business rules set within the GL (General Ledger) still apply and control whether or not to move the transaction forward through the approval process.

If the general ledger system has an issue with the transaction, a message is displayed directly to the purchasing software for the end user or approver to take action. Some of the rules being validated might involve budget checking, budget code compliance and confirmation.

In order for both systems to work properly an interface needs to be developed and tested within both companies. As a result, the two applications add value to the entire process and become a systematic way for organizations to stream line your procure to pay process without having to enter data in both systems.

In summary, integration to your ERP system is a key component when evaluating an e-procurement solution. A tightly coupled interface between the two can increase the return on the investment in productivity and budget management and contract compliance.