ROLLING HILLS ESTATES, Calif. U.S.A (Sept. 19, 2007) -- A new report looks at print buyers’ interests in and experiences with e-procurement offerings, and how companies are saving money with e-procurement solutions. Titled “The Print e-Procurement Marketplace: 2007 Print Buyer Survey Results,” the report results from the EDSF research grant and mentor program. An EDSF grant was awarded to George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., where faculty collaborated with Gartner to conduct the research. EDSF is the international, non-profit organization dedicated to the document management and graphic communications industries. The report is available now as a free download at www.edsf.org.
”Today’s web-to-print tools are viable options for print providers and buyers,” said Pete Basiliere, research director, Gartner. “Based on our research, there is no doubt print e-procurement tools improve the purchasing process and generate significant cost savings. Whether producing or buying business stationery, basic trans-promo documents or complex CRM-based marketing materials, I encourage print providers and buyers to investigate the latest breed of W2P tools.”
Detailed findings in the report clearly indicate that the print e-procurement marketplace offers buyers the tools to improve the purchasing process and reduce costs. E-procurement solutions not only facilitate internal procurement processes but they may also handle the complex print production workflows and generate significant cost savings and quality improvements.
Key Findings from the Report:
---Thirty-eight percent of large and very large companies report print procurement savings between 10 and 25 percent, while another 13 percent report saving more than 25 percent on the cost of print when an e-procurement solution is used
---Companies currently using an e-procurement solution undertake more centralized procurement than companies currently not using one.
---The reduction in errors during print procurement is the key dimension on which companies are most satisfied with their e-procurement solutions, followed closely by the reduction in print service provider errors.
--- Overall, 40 percent of the companies reported their e-procurement tool “exceeded” or “far exceeded” their expectations.
Print e-procurement is the process by which buyers are able to electronically source, price, procure and possibly pay for printed materials. At their simplest, e-procurement solutions are web-based or hosted applications that enable buyers to select items they wish to purchase; upload personalized information, artwork and other copy; determine the quantity needed; and generate pricing.
For the complete report, visit www.edsf.org and click “Research and Publications” for the EDSF Industry Library. The report is listed under “EDSF White Papers.”