The terms sourcing and procurement are frequently used interchangeably and both meanings refer to related concepts in supplier management. In this article you will learn about the difference Between eSourcing and eProcurement.
eSourcing
The electronic management of the identification and approval of the needs for the procurement of products and services is known as electronic sourcing (eSourcing).
Some functions eSourcing are:
- Requesting quotes and bid answers from different suppliers.
- Choosing the most suitable supplier.
- Using predetermined selection criteria to negotiate and award contracts.
- Focusing on making sure the selected supplier can supply and fulfil the requirements at the best price and value.
In addition, sourcing includes tools that make contracting and internal (buyer and supplier) communication easier. All businesses require supplies, and they often spend 50% to 70% of their budgets buying them.
The simplest definition of eSourcing is using electronic tools to locate those items and then, having established with suppliers, to make a purchase using previously negotiated terms and conditions. This really aids in reducing irregular spending and achieving budget savings.
Finding a need for products and services is the first stage in the eSourcing process. The suppliers who can best suit a company’s needs are then found through a variety of strategies. With the supplier, a contract is arranged that benefits the business financially and logistically. It can be electronically signed, and with the use of Contract Lifecycle Management, the business can also monitor supplier compliance and control risk.
eProcurement
E-procurement (Electronic Procurement) is the business-to-business exchange of goods and services across Internet and other information and networking systems, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) and electronic data interchange (EDI).
eProcurement starts with the actual contract’s execution and entails all aspects of handling the procurement transaction electronically, including the requisition, authorization, ordering, receipt, payment, and supplier monitoring.
Procurement is the transactional and regulatory aspect of purchasing. Requisitions, authorizations, orders, receipts, and payments for supplies all fall under this category. eProcurement is the opposite of eSourcing in that it is done electronically, . It starts with the purchasing cycle when the supplier contract is signed.
E-procurement, a crucial component of many B2B websites, is also occasionally referred to by other terms, like supplier exchange. Usually, qualified and registered users can search for customers or sellers of goods and services on e-procurement websites.
Buyers or sellers may declare pricing or encourage bids depending on the approach. Trades can be initiated and completed. Customers may be eligible for volume discounts or exclusive deals if they make regular purchases.
Some buying and selling processes might be able to be automated with e-procurement software. Businesses participating anticipate to be able to monitor parts inventories more effectively, decrease purchasing agent overhead, and enhance manufacturing cycles. With the trend towards computerized supply chain management, e-procurement is anticipated to be integrated.
Difference Between eSourcing and eProcurement
| eSourcing | eProcurement |
| Establishes supply channels for the procurement team to use in ordering supplies from the company. | Involves procuring products, materials, and inputs that a business requires to run its operations. |
| Aims to reach those product suppliers who make product supplies. | Focuses mainly on the kind of product that it supplies. |
| Includes the work necessary to establish and maintain vendor relationships, vetting suppliers, and develop and maintain a supplier base that perfectly suits the requirements of the organization. | Consists of contract management, e-tendering, e-auctioning, contract management, PO integration, e-invoicing, and e-payment. |
| Ensures the supplier base and supply chain that makes it possible. | Ensure that inputs, supplies, products, etc. move smoothly. |
| Builds a supplier base and relationships that are intended to help the procurement process, which simplifies eProcurement. The strategic enabler of eProcurement is eSourcing. | The sourcing team serves as the foundation for eProcurement, which then receives requests, places orders, tracks deliveries, and analyses KPIs. The nature of eProcurement is transactional. |
| Tools leverages such as: •Gathering and entering vendor information into a vendor management system. •Requests for quotations on products, together with price negotiations and agreements •Setting a lead time to establish minimum order quantities, standard packing quantities, quality metrics, etc. | Tools leverages such as: •Track inventory items, services, and expiration deadlines stock. •Automated order processing. •Smooth and intelligent workflows are included in the feature pack to lower operating expenses and facilitate strategic purchasing. |
Although eSourcing and eProcurement are both crucial stages of the purchase cycle, there are many differences between them. The transactional features of eProcurement are a result of the expenditure analysis, supplier selection, and contracts that are part of eSourcing.
