PROCUREMENT STRATEGY
Prashanth Ravishankar, SVP at Coupa Advantage, says:“ This allows us to surface actionable insights in real time – from identifying risk, to negotiating better terms, to discovering high-performing alternative suppliers. The most forwardthinking organisations aren’ t just automating workflows, they’ re using intelligent technology to fundamentally reshape the supplier lifecycle.”
The technology has helped to optimise supplier collaboration at every step, from identifying suppliers that match specific requirements to continuously monitoring and refining relationships through AI-driven performance insights.
The benefits of smarter automation are already being realised by those working closer with their suppliers.“ Automation allows our teams to focus on strategic initiatives, while digital tools empower suppliers with better engagement and performance tracking,” Nita notes.
“ The most forwardthinking organisations aren’ t just automating workflows – they’ re using intelligent technology to fundamentally reshape the supplier lifecycle”
Prashanth Ravishankar, SVP, Coupa Advantage
“ Data-driven insights are enabling smarter sourcing decisions and proactive risk management – strengthening supplier collaboration and responsiveness.”
These digital solutions provide much more than improved efficiency. Procurement teams using these tools can:
• Deliver faster cycle times
• Better compliance
• Make smarter sourcing decisions
• Build deeper supplier partnerships
• Increase overall productivity.
The balancing act of cost & value Procurement still relies on its ability to drive value at the bottom line. However, finding the right balance between cost optimisation and long-term value creation remains a challenge. Organisations are increasingly demonstrating that both can be achieved simultaneously through strategic supplier management.
The total value approach is helping to drive this. Procurement teams are seeing that well-developed category strategies should deliver quality requirements at the lowest cost the market will support, without creating artificial trade-offs between cost and value.
At Emirates NBD, evaluation criteria weighs factors including service quality, risk profile, innovation potential and ESG alignment alongside cost considerations.
84 September 2025