Procurement Magazine Oct W3 2026 | Page 104

Automation blind spots While RPA has its benefits, RPA does not eliminate risk by itself. If the rule is wrong, the system will apply the wrong rule consistently. That is why automation still needs strong policy, testing, access controls and human oversight. The real value is more consistent execution, better visibility and a stronger audit trail.
“ RPA is excellent for basic transactional tasks, but it is a stepping stone and not the destination for intelligent procurement,” says Rakesh.

“The purpose of automation is not to replace the buyer... It is to remove the copying, chasing and checking”

Joel R. Klemmer Director of Procurement and Chief Procurement Officer Gallup-McKinley County Schools
104 October 2026