Purchase Order Process: A Definitive Guide to Streamlining Procurement

Organizations are always aiming for speed in their smallest endeavours. While they might be able to achieve that internally, when it comes to purchase order procedures, more often than not, it is a slow dragged-out process with multiple rounds of to and fro. Organizations relying on a manual, cumbersome, and outdated purchase process in procurement, mired in inefficiencies, often spend valuable employee hours. But as businesses grow, the space for inefficiencies shrinks. The need for a streamlined purchase process becomes increasingly apparent, solidifying its role as an indispensable part of modern business operations.

In a labyrinth of tasks related to procurement, the significance of a streamlined purchase order process cannot be overstated. The PO (purchase order) process serves as the backbone of effective procurement and is a vital component of organizational success, providing structure, transparency, and control over procurement activities.

Hence, the case for a well-defined purchase order process is not just a matter of procedure; it’s a strategic imperative.

In this blog, I will take you through the building blocks of a purchase order process, explaining the challenges associated with archaic purchase process steps, and how you can automate the PO process.

What is a purchase order?

A purchase order is a formal document issued by a buyer to a seller, outlining the specifics of a transaction. It serves as a binding agreement, detailing the goods or services to be purchased, quantities, agreed prices, and other essential terms. Purchase orders streamline the procurement process, from requisition to approvals, ensuring a seamless exchange of goods or services, while aligning with organizational goals throughout the purchase process.

What is a purchase order process?

A purchase order process, also known as PO process, is the sequence of steps involved in initiating, approving, and executing purchases within an organization. It is an end-to-end system including requisition, creation, review, approval, issuance, and receipt of a purchase order. The organized approach of a purchase process aligns each procurement action with business goals while paving the way for smooth operations.

What are the different types of purchase orders?

The four types of purchase orders are:

Type of purchase order	Purpose	Content	Ideal for
Standard purchase order	Used for individual, one-time purchases.	Details like product type, quantity, quality, and transaction specifics.	Basic transactions or one-time purchases.
Planned purchase order	Detailed planning for purchases expected to recur.	Detailed information on goods, services, and costs, and establishes a sequence of orders.	Regular procurement needs, such as office supplies.
Blanket purchase order	Streamlines efficiency and minimizes redundancy.	Quantity for a particular product type in a single transaction.	Efficient and cost-effective procurement practices.
Contract purchase order	Flexible procurement agreements with detailed terms.	Rules for order issuance, preferred vendors, cost responsibilities, and corrections.	Procurement with specific product requirements and a need for flexibility.

What is the format of a standard PO?

The format of a standard PO may vary from organization to organization, but it typically conveys all the information that is required to ensure a smooth procurement process. The format consists of:

1. Header:

• Company’s name and address of both the buyer and seller
• PO number
• Date of PO issue

2. Order details:

• Description of goods or services
• Quantity of items
• Unit price
• Total cost
• Delivery date

3. Shipping information:

• Shipping address
• Shipping method
• Shipping terms

4. Billing information:

• Billing address
• Payment terms
• Payment method

5. Terms and conditions agree upon by both parties

6. Authorized signatures

7. Notes/comments/special instructions/additional information.

What a purchase order is not?

Among the many confusing terms used in procurement, a purchase order can often be confused with a purchase requisition, invoice, etc.

A purchase order is not a standalone document and thus can be confused by its predecessor or successors in the purchase order process steps.

Purchase order vs. Purchase Requisition

A purchase requisition signals the need for purchase. It’s the initial request, outlining the necessity. On the other hand, a purchase order solidifies the intent, detailing specifics like product descriptions, quantities, and agreed prices. While the requisition initiates the PO process, the purchase order formalizes it.

Purchase order vs. Invoice

A purchase order initiates the PO process and is issued by a buyer to a supplier, specifying the goods or services to be purchased, along with terms and conditions. However, an invoice is sent by the supplier to the buyer after the goods or services are delivered, mentioning the amount owed by the buyer and providing a detailed breakdown of costs. One initiates the purchase process, and the other concludes it.

Why do companies use purchase order?

Companies use purchase orders to formalize their purchase process. A purchase order is an important document that contributes to transparency, clear communication, expectation setting, and compliance, ensuring a trouble-free relationship between buyers and suppliers. A purchase order doesn’t just streamline the procurement process but also helps businesses in budget control and inventory management. Without a purchase order, a business is exposed to risks of duplicate orders, late deliveries, substandard products, payment disputes, etc.

What are the benefits of a purchase order?

Essentially, a purchase order streamlines the entire process, from order initiation to fulfillment, for both buyers and suppliers.

Here are some benefits that a purchase order offers buyers:

Setting the right expectations from the onset:

Purchase orders set clear expectations right from the start, minimizing the risk of misunderstandings and fostering a transparent and efficient purchase process. They reduce the chances of misunderstandings between buyers and suppliers, fostering a healthy buyer-supplier relationship. Purchase orders bring buyers and suppliers on the same page regarding product specifications, quantities, and agreed-upon terms and prices.

Strategic budgeting and streamlined accounts payable:

Purchase orders make it easier for buyers to carry out business budgeting with some level of accuracy. A bird’s-eye view of financial commitments contributes to realistic budget planning. Purchase orders also streamline the accounts payable process by simplifying reconciliation and timely payment processing.

Legal safeguard and compliance:

Purchase orders create a trail of documented transactions, proving that buyers are adhering to financial regulations and industry standards during audits. In addition to their contribution to audit compliance, process orders also serve as a contractual safeguard. By outlining terms and conditions, they offer a legal failsafe and protection for buyers in case of future disputes.

Here are the benefits a purchase order offers suppliers:

Streamlined production planning & inventory management:

Purchase orders provide a predictable stream of incoming orders, allowing suppliers to plan production, manage inventory efficiently, and optimize resources. Knowing the quantity and specifications in advance allows for streamlined production and inventory management.

Financial security and purchase order financing:

With a purchase order in hand, suppliers gain financial security. The documented commitment ensures timely payment, reducing uncertainties and enhancing cash flow. Suppliers can leverage purchase orders to secure financing, which can cover production costs, fulfill orders, and manage cash flow effectively.

What Are the Purchase Order Process Steps?

The purchase order process steps involve requisition, creation, approval, transmission, receipt and inspection of goods, and invoice processing

1. Purchase Requisition:

The PO process journey starts when a need arises within an organization. The need could be from any department requiring to restock office supplies (for example, the office pantry running low on coffee beans) or fulfilling a specific project requirement. The purchase requisition step is achieved with a document formalizing the need and seeking internal approval. This ensures that the purchase aligns with the budget.

2. Purchase Order Creation:

Once a purchase requisition is approved, a detailed purchase order is drafted specifying the type, quantity, and any special requirements for the goods and services. The purchase order creation process sometimes requires different department heads to collaborate to ensure accurate specifications.

3. Purchase Order Approval:

After the creation of the purchase order, it undergoes a final approval stage where internal stakeholders give necessary authorizations in line with the organization’s budget, policies, and strategic objectives. For larger purchases, a request for quotation (RFQ) might be required to gather bids from potential suppliers.

4. Purchase Order Documentation:

Once the purchase order is approved, it is documented for record-keeping purposes. The purchase order is documented for record-keeping to cross-check information at a later stage, if needed. It also aids in compliance checks, audits, and resolving any discrepancies.

5. Receipt and Inspection of Goods:

Once the goods or services have been delivered, it is followed by a thorough inspection to ensure that the delivery meets the details mentioned in the purchase order. This step involves verifying the quantity, quality, and condition of the received items. This stage is important to report any discrepancies or issues and promptly report them to the supplier in order to swiftly resolve them and maintain the continuity of the procurement process.

6. Invoice Processing and Payment:

Once the product inspection is done and the buyer confirms that the received items match the purchase order, the organization verifies the invoices and makes the payment to the supplier to mark the closure of the PO process.

The entire purchase order process is designed to ensure efficiency, transparency, and accountability.

To better visualize and understand these steps, organizations often use a purchase order process flowchart.

Why is it important to implement a purchase order process?

It is important to implement a purchase order process as it helps organizations to establish visibility, control, efficiency, and transparency in the procurement process. By implementing the purchase order process steps, a clear guideline is set out at every step so that the entire process goes smoothly. Implementing a purchase order process ensures that purchases are aligned with organizational budgets, avoiding any unplanned expenses. It also reduces the risks of disputes and misunderstanding between the buyer and supplier and contributes to a strategy for risk mitigation.

Challenges with Manual Purchase Order Process

Procurement, as long as we’ve known it, has been a maze of manual processes. Inefficiencies are often waiting to crop up at every corner to disrupt smooth operations. With the world heading towards digitization, it’s time for the manual purchase process to also let go of its challenges:

• Repetitive & time-consuming tasks lead to process delays and inefficiencies
• Communication gaps and lack of visibility result in confusion, inaccuracy, and errors
• Never-ending changes and modifications make the PO process cumbersome and force it to be stuck in an endless loop of people and emails
• Lack of data is a breeding ground for misguided decisions, often resulting in unnecessary organizational expenses

Best practices for an efficient purchase order process

Here are some best practices you can easily incorporate into your purchase order process steps to mitigate these challenges and make it more efficient, transparent, and financially sound:

• Embrace automation to streamline manual tasks, identify bottlenecks, and optimize the number of approvals required.
• Clear communication channels are essential to ensure seamless operations.
• Establishing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) from the outset, linked to budgets, provides clarity on objectives.
• Incorporating a procurement solution, such as a spend-management platform, aids in the automation of approval workflows, better management, business analytics, and cost reduction.
• Additionally, curate a list of preferred vendors to expedite decision-making.

Benefits of automating the purchase order process

Automating the purchase order process has numerous benefits. Efficiency gains are achieved through streamlined workflows, reducing manual tasks and accelerating procurement timelines. Automated systems offer real-time visibility into procurement activities, fostering better tracking and control. Additionally, the adaptability and scalability of automation accommodate evolving business needs, ensuring organizations can efficiently manage procurement processes regardless of changing demands. Overall, automation not only boosts efficiency but also strengthens compliance, supplier relationships, and sustainability efforts.

Increased efficiency and time savings:

Automation streamlines all the purchase order workflows, reducing the time spent on manual repetitive tasks. This efficiency improves the overall procurement process.

Accuracy and error reduction:

Automated systems minimize the risk of human errors pertaining to calculations, data entry, etc. This helps prevent discrepancies and improve the accuracy of the process.

Cost savings:

By eliminating the dependence on traditional paper-based methods and manual labor, automation reduces operational costs.

Real-time visibility and tracking:

Automating the purchase order process provides real-time visibility to easily track the status of orders, approvals, deliveries, etc.

Compliance:

Automated systems serve as a single platform where all documents and activities related to a procurement cycle are recorded, reducing the risk of non-compliance and any legal issues.

Supplier relationship management:

The transparency that comes with automation helps foster and build long-term buyer supplier relationships.

Scalability:

Automated systems are scalable and can easily accommodate increased volume of transactions, along with being adaptable to changing business needs, thereby keeping the procurement process agile and responsive.

Automating the Purchase Order Process: The Procol Way

To optimize and streamline the purchase order procedure, many organizations turn to purchase order software. From requisition to payment, an intelligent purchase order software can reduce manual errors occurring during the purchase order process steps and save time. With capabilities like automated workflow approvals, purchase order and supplier management, spend insights, etc. procurement teams can focus on more strategic endeavors, rather than getting bogged down by the many time-consuming monotonous errands required to be completed in a PO process.

Why Procol?

Imagine a world where efficiency isn’t just a goal but a reality – Procol brings this vision to life through:

Enhanced vendor collaboration

Procurement is all about supplier relationships, yet accessing historical data about suppliers and partnerships can be like finding a needle in a haystack. Procol’s automated solutions address this challenge head-on by creating a centralized and digital repository of vendor contracts, simplifying the retrieval of past order histories and strengthening vendor collaboration, ensuring that procurement managers have the necessary tools at their disposal to make informed purchasing decisions.

Cost avoidance and risk management

Procurement teams are constantly seeking ways to cut costs and manage risks in a strategic manner. Procol supports these objectives through vendor consolidation and improved category management. By conducting comprehensive risk analysis and eliminating redundancies, Procol helps organizations achieve operational efficiency across all departments. The strategic management of supplier relationships, facilitated by Procol, is a cornerstone of a robust procurement system, leading to long-term success and sustainability.

A consistent purchase order process

A reliable and repeatable PO process is not just a matter of administrative convenience; it is a crucial component that drives control, visibility, and efficiency within a business. Procol’s platform ensures that finance departments can accurately account for expenses, maintain budgets, and manage orders with precision. The result is a procurement system that not only saves time and resources but also minimizes errors and enhances accountability.

Witness firsthand how Procol can refine your procurement operations and bring about tangible benefits to your organization.