Spend Visibility Insights from Industry Experts | OMNIA Partners

In a recent Supply Chain Now webinar, OMNIA Partners procurement experts Ashley Greuel and Jeff Gilmer shared valuable insights into the transformative power of spend visibility and the strategic use of data in procurement. Their discussion covered the benefits of leveraging resources like OMNIA Partners, the largest group purchasing organization (GPO) in the U.S., and the future of procurement technology.

Jeff, SVP Private Sector Sales at OMNIA Partners, shared his extensive background in supply chain and procurement, illustrating the shift from administrative to strategic functions through enhanced spend visibility. "Visibility enables businesses to manage complexities and focus on strategic contributions, ultimately unlocking market potential," he explained. 

Navigating Data Challenges 

The panel delved into the challenges of managing massive amounts of data, often referred to as "data swamps." Ashley emphasized the difficulties companies face in sifting through vast data to find what truly matters, stressing the persistent issue of poor data quality. "Garbage in equals garbage out," she remarked. 

Jeff added that many organizations struggle with knowing where to start once they have accumulated data. This lack of direction can prevent companies from transforming data into strategic actions. "Failing to utilize data effectively leaves money and resources on the table," he said. 

Key Strategies for Enhancing Procurement 

The discussion then transitioned to actionable strategies for enhancing procurement practices: 

• Data Integration and Automation: Ashley highlighted the importance of integrating and automating data from various sources to reduce inconsistencies and errors. "Standardizing and cleansing data improves overall accuracy and minimizes manual processing efforts," she said. 

• Cultural Transformation: Jeff emphasized the need for cultural changes within organizations. The importance of collaboration with stakeholders from different areas to set collective goals and achieve quick wins is key to success. "Establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) is crucial for long-term success," he noted.  

• Leveraging Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs): Jeff explained how GPOs can serve as an extension of a company's procurement team, especially for indirect spend areas. "By working with a GPO like OMNIA Partners, organizations can analyze their spend data, identify areas for improvement, and implement solutions with their supplier partners," he said. 

Future Trends and Predictions 

The panel also shared their predictions for the future of procurement. 

Ashley anticipates a rise in the use of advanced machine learning and AI for real-time spend and predictive analytics, enabling quicker, more precise procurement decisions. Jeff emphasized the critical role of data and spend visibility in navigating global uncertainties, highlighting data analytics as a key tool for effective operational management. Both experts underscored the strategic application of AI to address specific business challenges and the urgent need for companies to adopt these technologies. They urged companies to enhance their data analytics capabilities and leverage external expertise to remain competitive, recommending better data integration, a collaborative culture, and the use of resources like GPOs for improved procurement processes and significant cost savings. 

For more detailed insights, be sure to watch the full webinar available below. The discussion offers a wealth of knowledge and practical tips for navigating the evolving landscape of procurement.