Centralized Procurement: Your Guide to Streamlined IT Purchasing
Within your organization, each team, department, or location has its own technology needs to get work done—ranging from laptops and mobile devices to accessories and specialized tools. Without a structured protocol, IT device purchasing can quickly go askew, with employees shopping across different vendors, guessing at product specs, or waiting on lengthy approvals. The result? Delays, overspending, compliance risks, frustrating confusion, and wasted time.
That’s why many companies turn to a centralized procurement solution. By using a dedicated e-procurement solution, businesses gain clarity, speed, and consistency in how they equip their workforce. Below are answers to some of the most common questions about IT device purchasing.
1. What’s the downside of decentralized or ad hoc purchasing?
When there’s no centralized system in place, companies often run into:
- Different departments deploying incompatible technology
- Higher costs from missed bulk discounts or non-negotiated pricing
- Gaps in compliance tracking and financial oversight
- Time wasted hunting for approved products or processing manual orders
- Reduced visibility into spending across the organization
In short, unregulated purchasing makes it harder to control costs and maintain a standardized IT environment.
2. What advantages does centralized purchasing provide?
Centralized procurement introduces structure, reduces risk, and makes ordering easier for employees. Benefits include:
- Consistency & Control – Everyone buys from approved catalogs with products that meet company standards.
- Time Savings – Reordering approved items is quick and straightforward.
- System Integration – Links directly into procurement systems like Coupa or Ariba for clear financial visibility.
- Lower Costs – Take advantage of negotiated rates and avoid rogue purchases.
3. What exactly is a Punchout portal?
A Punchout portal is the bridge between your company’s internal procurement platform (e.g., Coupa, SAP Ariba) and a vendor’s online store. Employees browse products on the vendor’s site, but all selections, pricing, and approvals remain governed by your central system.
4. How does Barcodes Inc.’s Punchout solution support businesses?
Barcodes Inc.’s Punchout solution is designed to simplify procurement while maintaining compliance. It delivers:
- A tailored “My Products” catalog with negotiated pricing
- Direct integration into your existing procurement or ERP system
- Access to multiple vendors through a single, centralized platform
- Automated compliance checks and purchase tracking behind the scenes
5. What benefits do Punchout portals deliver to procurement teams and employees?
For Procurement Teams:
- Consistent supplier usage and product standardization
- Clearer budget oversight and spend reporting
- Easier compliance and audit preparation
For Employees:
- A simple, online shopping-like experience
- No need to memorize vendor lists or product codes
- Faster, more accurate orders with fewer delays
6. Are Punchout solutions flexible to unique company needs?
Yes. Barcodes, Inc. builds customer-specific catalogs that reflect your approved products, pricing, and preferred vendors. This ensures control for IT and procurement, while keeping ordering intuitive for employees.
7. What procurement platforms does Levata integrate with?
Levata’s solution connects seamlessly with popular systems, including:
- Coupa
- SAP Ariba
- Jaggaer
- Other ERP-compatible platforms
8. How can an organization get started?
Engaging with Levata is simple. Our team works with you to design a Punchout portal that aligns with your goals, existing systems, and compliance requirements.
Beyond Purchasing: Technology Lifecycle Management with TrueView
While Punchout simplifies procurement, our TrueView portal goes a step further. TrueView centralizes the entire lifecycle of your technology—from ordering to deployment, support, and eventual refresh. It acts as a command center for IT leaders who want visibility and control without added complexity.
Highlights of TrueView:
- All-in-One Platform – Consolidate procurement, asset management, and support tasks.
- Lifecycle Tracking – Monitor usage, support tickets, warranties, upgrade opportunities, and end-of-life milestones.
- Reduced IT Workload – Automate repetitive tasks and service requests, freeing IT teams to focus on strategy.
- Integrated Procurement – Employees order from approved catalogs while IT retains oversight of warranties, configurations, and spend.
With TrueView, organizations don’t just simplify ordering—they gain a competitive edge in managing their IT environment efficiently and at scale.
>> See TrueView in action and discover how centralized procurement can transform your technology management.
