Traditional procurement software just isn't enough. Discover how Simfoni's Service as Software model integrates AI-driven procurement services directly into software, enhancing efficiency and accelerating operational delivery and ROI.
This is why Simfoni designed solutions that don’t require an external systems integrator with an embedded “BuyDesk” sourcing service and “Marketplace” purchasing content built into the software. We also offer additional value-add services such as Managed Sourcing Events to boost performance outcomes from software.
The world of procurement software is undergoing a significant shift. Traditional Software as a Service (SaaS) models are being outpaced by innovative approaches that integrate services directly into software solutions. This paradigm shift, known as Service as Software, embeds procurement services and content within the technology itself, offering organizations enhanced efficiency and value.
By leveraging AI-drive tools with a bionic approach to embedding AI across solutions, Service as Software addresses the limitations of standalone software, providing a comprehensive solution that streamlines procurement processes and delivers a rapid return on investment.
“When you buy a software, you’re effectively buying functionality that has the potential to make you more efficient and effective, but you still have to do all the work yourself.”
Redefining Procurement Technology
Service as Software represents a significant evolution in procurement technology, moving beyond the traditional SaaS model by embedding services and additional content directly into the software. This integration ensures that organizations receive not only the tools but also the expertise necessary to optimize procurement processes and outcomes.
- Integration of Services and Software: Traditional SaaS solutions offer software tools that require additional services and training for effective implementation. Service as Software combines these elements, providing a seamless experience that reduces the need for external support and accelerates time-to-value.
- AI-Driven Enhancements: By incorporating artificial intelligence, Simfoni solutions automate basic tasks through to more complex procurement activities, which enhances the experience for the end user, as well as helping the Procurement Pro to be more effective with AI generating automated insights from data and alerts so the Procurement Pro can competitively source more spend and react to market changes and make informed decisions.
- Rapid Return on Investment: The integrated nature of Service as Software reduces costs associated with external services and training, leading to quicker realization of benefits and a more efficient allocation of resources.
“Fundamentally, software is a tool, only becoming a solution when integrated with services.”
Benefits of Service-as-Software for Procurement
Traditional SaaS providers offer software for enhanced productivity but often leave customers struggling to achieve optimal value. Simfoni however, took a different approach from the beginning as we recognized that software alone isn’t always enough to tackle complex procurement challenges. Our solutions don’t require use of a costly systems integrator and come packages with embedded “BuyDesk” sourcing services and “Marketplace” purchasing content built into the software. Value-add services such as Managed Sourcing Events provides a more holistic Service as Software experience, with a superior user experience and enhanced outcomes.
- Reduced Implementation Time & Costs: Eliminate the need for external system integrators and user training with intuitive user interfaces and embedded implementation and delivery support services.
- Faster ROI: Start realizing the benefits of procurement automation sooner with embedded sourcing services and purchasing content that streamline processes and optimize spend from day 1.
- Enhanced User Adoption: User-friendly interfaces with AI-guided support ensures the highest level of user adoption and team buy-in.
- Continuous Improvement: Our “Bionic” approach to embedding AI constantly improves software functionality and service delivery, ensuring ongoing value generation leveraging AI you can trust.
“Buying a high-performance software solution without the necessary expertise to operate the software is like buying a Rolls Royce without a qualified driver. Service-as-Software provides both the car and the driver who understands how to use all the features and controls ensuring the car delivers the right user experience and performance.”
The Challenge with Traditional Procurement Software
Most procurement software solutions require significant setup, customization and user training which is left to the customer to manage. This leads to additional costs and delays in benefit realization versus Service as Software solutions.
“Service-as-Software isn’t just about integrating services; it’s about delivering outcomes, ensuring technology empowers businesses to achieve their strategic objectives, without adding complexity.”
Why Procurement Needs Both Software and Services
Most procurement teams are shrinking in size, so they have less people to ‘drive’ the software. Procurement visionaries want to automate sourcing and purchasing activities to boost capability and outcomes, so you have to look beyond traditional software and seek out solutions that include services and content to wring out the value. This presents a challenge for organizations who still believe they need large teams of ‘drivers’ to set-up, maintain and operate traditional software products, so a shift in mindset is required.
Simfoni’s Service-as-Software solution addresses this challenge by:
- Freeing Up Procurement Resources: Embedded services and content with AI supporting delivery of repetitive tasks and helping the user to get what they need in the shortest possible time, frees-up the procurement pro to focus on strategic initiatives.
- Optimizing Spend Management: Gain deeper insights into your spending with AI-powered analytics and reporting tools with automated notifications and alerts helping the procurement pro to optimize spend and savings and to mitigate supply risk.
- Scaling with Your Business: Cloud-based Service-as-Software solutions are inherently scalable and can readily adapt to your organizational changes.
Simfoni's Bionic Approach to AI
technology and services. At Simfoni we are executing on a clear strategy around how we embed AI across our software and services.
Simfoni takes a unique “Bionic” approach to AI deployment, focused on enhancing existing processes.
‘Bionic’ is about smart, steady upgrades. Instead of throwing out what already works, you enhance it with cutting-edge AI tools. This way, you’re not just hoping for the best – you’re building on a solid foundation that you can trust.
Applied to procurement, a Bionic approach means building on existing systems with smart, incremental improvements with outcomes you can trust.
Bionic upgrades are about enhancing human abilities with AI, both in software and services to boost performance. Importantly, the customer doesn’t have to rely solely on their procurement team or end users to operate the software, as Simfoni AI-infused services are there to support delivery.
Today, the AI agent leads on high frequency tasks, but as we develop the tools and trust the results, agents will take-over tasks performed today by humans, hence our bionic approach to AI deployment, which optimizes workflows and frees humans to focus on higher value activities.
Read more: Big Bang vs. Bionic: Uncovering the Smarter Way to Boost Procurement Technology with AI
Read more: Guide to AI in Procurement
Advantages of Service-as-Software
Adopting Service-as-Software offers several long-term advantages:
- Reduced Operational Costs: Automate processes and optimize resource allocation to achieve significant cost savings.
- Increased Efficiency: Streamlined workflows and AI-powered automation enhance overall efficiency and productivity.
- Improved Customer Satisfaction: Faster turnaround times and improved service quality lead to greater customer satisfaction.
- Enhanced Innovation: Free up human resources to focus on developing new products and services, driving innovation.
“The future of procurement technology lies in the convergence of software and services. Service-as-Software is not just a trend; it’s the new standard for delivering business value.”
Simfoni’s Class-leading Solutions
Simfoni’s exemplifies the Service as Software model by offering technology with embedded services and content to accelerate and sustain value.
1. Strategic Spend Terminal
Simfoni’s Strategic Spend Terminal connects spend analytics, pipeline management with eSourcing through to benefits tracking orchestrated within a single, closed-loop solution with access to on demand sourcing and supplier discovery services to augment delivery.
2. Enterprise Tail Spend
Simfoni delivers a superior experience for the everyday user by automating high frequency purchases through a purpose-built technology platform with an embedded Marketplace full of purchasing content and global BuyDesk sourcing services to control and optimize spend and realize savings.
3. Procurement-as-a-Service
Simfoni provides a complete ‘Service as Software’ solution for mid-size enterprise with a hosted procurement software platform, purchasing content and expertise to optimize sourcing and procurement processes. Procurement-as-a-Service democratizes access to digital tools and world class sourcing services, which means organizations of any size can boost company performance without having to scale costly in-house teams and tools.
“Buying a high-performance software solution without the necessary expertise to operate the software is like buying a Rolls Royce without a qualified driver. Service-as-Software provides both the car and the driver who understands how to use all the features and controls ensuring the car delivers the right user experience and performance.”
Conclusion
The shift from traditional SaaS to Service as Software marks a transformative evolution to how we deliver procurement technology. By embedding services, purchasing content and leveraging AI, this model addresses the limitations of standalone software, offering organizations integrated solutions that streamline processes, reduce costs, and deliver a rapid return on investment.
Simfoni’s commitment to this innovative approach means we are at the forefront of procurement transformation, providing clients with the tools and expertise necessary to digitize source to procure to pay processes and realize benefits from day 1.
Ready to revolutionize your procurement processes? Book a demo with Simfoni today and discover how our Service as Software solutions can drive efficiency and value for your organization.
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Stefan Dent
Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Simfoni
Simfoni
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