How to improve the user experience of your supplier portal
TECHNOLOGY
It is this agility that has come to the forefront during recent geopolitical events and the pandemic , as they are adept at surfacing information like material shortages , or logistical problems like port congestion . Without this information , businesses may have to seek alternative suppliers at short notice to avoid disruption to their trade , and that can lead to higher costs and failure to meet the needs of their customers .
Maximise the value of a supplier portal It may sound like a very simple question , but what is the point of going to the time and expense of implementing a portal if your suppliers don ’ t feel comfortable using it ?
“ Half the battle of creating a functional supplier portal is getting suppliers to actually create an account and use it ,” argues Keulen . “ Because if they aren ’ t able to access an easy entry point to the solution , they ’ re just going to continue using email as their primary form of communication . The more users there are , the stronger the network becomes and the more value the portal provides .”
How to improve the user experience of your supplier portal
• Implement a user-friendly interface
• Provide comprehensive training
• Offer support for suppliers to encourage widespread usage
• Integrate advanced analytics capabilities to offer valuable insights for buyers and suppliers Michael van Keulen , Coupa
“ Half the battle of creating a functional supplier portal is getting suppliers to actually create an account and use it ”
MICHAEL VAN KEULEN CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER , COUPA