The power of a specialist Source to Pay partner
Digitalisation of Source to Pay processes hits organisations at their core. It affects not only systems and processes, but also how people work and the strategic direction of the organisation. That makes a Source to Pay transformation much more than an IT project – it’s an organisational challenge with broad impact. To keep a grip on this complexity, many organisations bring in external expertise. Paul van Rietschoten explains why choosing the right partner largely determines the final result, and how focus, expertise and commitment make the difference.
Digital transformation of Source to Pay processes is often about software choices, processes and technology. But what many organisations underestimate is that the partner they choose to guide this journey is at least as decisive for its ultimate success. Do you go for a large consultancy, an independent consultant or a specialised boutique partner? “In Source to Pay projects in particular, where strategy, process and technology are closely intertwined, that calls for careful consideration,” says Paul van Rietschoten, Managing Director of Spendlinq.
“For many organisations, a large, general consultancy or an independent consultant is the obvious choice. And while each of these parties can have its merits, in our experience a specialist boutique consultancy is ideally suited to guiding this type of programme. The reason is simple,” Paul continues. “Source to Pay is a discipline in its own right. It touches strategy, processes, technology, contracts, suppliers, compliance, finance and procurement. It’s broad, complex in substance and goes deep into the operation. At a large, multidisciplinary consultancy, Source to Pay is only one part of a broader service portfolio. You can see that in the approach, the team and a less pronounced focus on the domain.”
At a boutique consultancy, it’s the other way around. “As a specialist partner, they do just one thing, and they do it well. Everything revolves around Source to Pay. That means they have people in-house who know exactly how to translate a sourcing strategy into system configuration, how to manage supplier data, how to set up matching logic or how to build a good ordering channel. And perhaps even more importantly: how to really bring users along in the change journey.”
Paul also sees that bringing in an independent consultant can be valuable, especially for a clearly defined assignment. At the same time, he adds a caveat: “A Source to Pay programme almost always requires multiple disciplines: process knowledge, technical configuration, change management, integration and support. That’s hard to combine in one person. What’s often missing then is scale, continuity and back-up.”
By choosing a specialist boutique consultancy, Paul says, you get the best of both worlds. “Small enough to be personal, flexible and engaged, with fixed contact persons who stay involved throughout the programme. At the same time, big enough to offer a professional team in which knowledge and expertise complement each other. Thanks to the clear focus on one domain, the lines are short and the depth of expertise is great.”
That focus also shows in the way of working. “Large, multidisciplinary consultancies often work with generic methodologies that can be applied to a wide range of transformations, such as HR or IT. At a specialist boutique partner like Spendlinq, the way of working is entirely geared to Source to Pay. For example, we work with our own templates for requirements analyses, selection criteria, process designs and change approaches. All tailored to this specific domain.”
The make-up and continuity of teams also play a role. “At larger consulting firms, clients regularly work with changing teams or junior consultants who are still at the start of their development. Boutique partners generally work with experienced professionals who stay involved with the programme for the long term. That benefits both the collaboration and the end result.”
The way a partner thinks along with you also determines success. “Because a boutique partner focuses solely on Source to Pay, they know the market like no one else. They know which solutions suit which sector, how particular software is evolving, and what to look out for with new technologies or legislation. They build that market knowledge into their advice as a matter of course.”
The level of involvement differs too. “We see it as our responsibility that a programme isn’t just technically successful but actually lands in the organisation. That means we look beyond the implementation alone. What happens after go-live? How is ongoing management set up? And what are the logical next steps? We take these questions on board from the start,” says Paul.
A boutique consultancy can also be attractive when it comes to cost and flexibility. “Organisations get access to in-depth expertise without the overhead of a large consultancy. At the same time, there’s more room to tailor the approach to the customer’s specific context, rather than working from fixed structures or standard methodologies.”
According to Paul, it ultimately comes down to trust. “A Source to Pay project is not a simple implementation. It touches processes, people and technology. That calls for a partner who understands what’s needed, can oversee the entire programme and takes full responsibility for delivery.”
Finally, he stresses the importance of a well-considered choice. “Don’t let the decision depend solely on a well-known name or a sharp rate. Look above all at expertise, focus and commitment. A specialist partner brings not only knowledge but also direction, continuity and commitment. And that’s what makes the difference between an IT project that goes live and a transformation with lasting impact.”
A specialist partner can make the difference in Source to Pay transformations. Spendlinq supports organisations every step of the way, from strategy to implementation and from selection to success.
