Implementation of Technologies SMAC/BRAID in the Company’s Purchasing Process

Abstract

The article presents possibilities of implementation SMAC/BRAID technologies in the purchasing process. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the application of SMAC/BRAID technologies in the company’s purchasing process. The research is based on a critical literature review and survey results. The article is of a practical nature. The findings confirm that the integration of the SMAC/BRAID technologies creates a new working environment enabling improved communication, process transparency and, in particular, improved decision-making process. The identified barriers to the digitalization of the purchasing process are high costs of purchasing technology, lack of knowledge about available technologies, and their impact on purchasing processes, as well as the lack of specialists able to operate the technology (lack of sufficient competences among employees), lack of decision-making ability of managers on the implementation of technology, trust in technology, fear of losing partnerships with suppliers, fear of losing workplace, low quality of data collected in systems, lack of legal regulations, lack of universality of technology. The benefits of the purchasing process digitalization include, in particular, saving time, reducing costs, unlocking employees from repetitive activities, improving the efficiency of processes by minimizing the number of errors made by employees, faster response to emergency situations, e.g. inconsistencies in delivery incorrect invoices, etc., faster access to information, tightening of expenses (automation in the verification of prices, indices, bank accounts, etc.), standardization of processes and elimination of dispersed responsibility, as well as the development of employees’ digital competences.