PROCUREMENT TECHNOLOGY
8 million
organisations currently served by Amazon Business globally( excluding emerging markets)
Q. HOW DO YOU BALANCE AUTOMATION WITH HUMAN DECISION-MAKING IN YOUR PROCUREMENT WORKFLOW?
» Automation at Amazon Business is built to serve people, not replace their judgment. Routine tasks like reordering common supplies, flagging policy exceptions, or routing approvals can be automated so procurement professionals can focus on higher-value work such as supplier negotiations, budgeting and risk management. Business buyers have a wide range of needs and our advanced restocking and delivery options make meeting them simple – from break-room replenishment to vending machines for IT equipment and secure lockers for higher-value items. By leveraging technology to track inventory and distribute supplies, we make managing resources easier for everyone.
We also build in soft guardrails so even when a purchase is automated, it still reflects company priorities and preferred suppliers. This approach keeps procurement fast and efficient while leaving strategic calls and exceptions in human hands, ensuring automation supports rather than overrides critical thinking.
Q. WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE IN BREAKING DOWN ORGANISATIONAL SILOS THROUGH DIGITAL PROCUREMENT ADOPTION?
» One of the biggest hurdles organisations face is perception. Many procurement professionals initially saw digital procurement as simply digitising shopping, which made it harder for them to recognise its potential to unify processes and teams. Different departments often relied on their own vendor lists and approval methods and moving to one solution could feel like losing control. That’ s where Amazon Business comes in
72 December 2025