Almost 73% of companies surveyed claimed that they used the internet for ‘indirect’ purchases, an increase from the 71% recorded in Q3, and 54% used the internet for purchasing ‘direct’ materials, again this was an increase on the previous quarter’s figure of 46%.
“The full impact of economic conditions is seen in the mixed progress of many of our responding companies. While the general trend is positive, I believe there is now more of a tendency to wait and see before making major strides. This does not mean that the goal is being reassessed, but that the timing may not be as quick as initially planned,” says Edith Kelly-Green, vice president, sourcing and procurement, FEDEX.
“The Internet continues to expand as a buying channel but it’s no longer a panacea. Buyers realize that eProcurement takes more than surfing on supplier Web sites,” said Bruce Temkin, group director at Forrester. “That’s why we’re seeing a growing number of organizations changing their procurement practices — and running into the difficulties of integrating their purchasing systems.”
