The Procurement Software Podcast

Why Predictive Intelligence beats Spend Analytics - Jeff Gerber from Suplari

In this episode of The Procurement Software Podcast, James Meads speaks with Jeff Gerber, CEO of Suplari, about the evolution from traditional spend analytics to AI-powered spend intelligence. The conversation explores how procurement teams can move beyond static dashboards and begin leveraging predictive insights and autonomous agents to drive better decision-making.Can AI-Powered Spend Intelligence Transform Procurement?Jeff shares the story behind Suplari’s journey—from startup to Microsoft acquisition and back to independence—highlighting how an AI-native foundation has enabled faster innovation. The discussion focuses on how modern platforms are shifting from reporting on past spend to actively identifying opportunities and recommending actions in real time.A key theme is the growing role of AI agents in automating complex procurement tasks, from managing tail spend to improving data quality and accelerating category strategy development. The episode also tackles common challenges such as poor data and limited internal resources, showing how AI can unlock value even without perfect inputs.There is also a strong emphasis on usability, with conversational interfaces and prompt libraries helping users engage with AI more effectively, regardless of technical expertise.Key insights include:Why spend intelligence must go beyond dashboards to drive actionHow AI agents can continuously monitor and optimise tail spendThe reality of working with imperfect data, and how AI improves itHow prompt-driven interfaces accelerate user adoptionWhy AI enables faster, more effective category strategy developmentWhether you are exploring AI in procurement or looking to enhance existing analytics capabilities, this episode offers a practical view of what’s possible today, and what’s coming next.Timestamps:[00:00:01] Introduction and Jeff Gerber’s journey.[00:03:55] Building AI-native spend intelligence platforms.[00:11:15] Competing with DIY analytics and legacy systems.[00:15:48] Overcoming poor data quality challenges.[00:22:02] Managing tail spend with AI agents.[00:29:02] Prompt libraries and user adoption of AI.[00:33:38] AI in category strategy development.And that wraps up another episode of The Procurement Software Podcast!Thanks again for listening, and do please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Every one helps!We'll be back at the same time next month, so see you there.If you want to learn more about Procurement Software, check out the useful links below.Stay in touch!Connect with Jeff Gerber on LinkedInCheck out SuplariDownload our Tech Map for EnterpriseDownload our Tech Map for Mid-MarketDownload our Tech Map for SMEsFind your perfect procurement tech solution in our Software Finder appSign up for the Entproc NewsletterBook an Intro Call and let’s talk all things Digital Procurement!Connect with James on LinkedIn

Can Free Software Outperform Existing Tools? - Tom Ruello from SpendHound

In this episode of the Procurement Software Podcast, James Meads explores the rise of free B2B procurement software and what it really means for buyers. Joined by Tom Ruello, VP of Sales at SpendHound, the conversation unpacks how removing the price barrier can accelerate adoption—without compromising value.Can Free SaaS Management Software Beat Existing Tools?Tom explains how SpendHound’s model works: offering a genuinely free SaaS management and benchmarking platform, monetised through aggregated, de-identified market data. The discussion tackles common procurement concerns—data privacy, commercial viability, and long-term product development—while highlighting the importance of transparency and a sustainable business model.Key insights include:Why free tools can outperform paid alternatives in mid-market and enterprise environmentsThe pros and cons of data-driven monetisation modelsHow benchmarking and AI-driven insights are transforming software renewalsWhat procurement teams should ask vendors before committingWhy time savings can be just as valuable as cost savingsWhether you’re budget-constrained or simply exploring smarter ways to manage SaaS spend, this episode provides a balanced view of risk, reward and opportunity.Timestamps:[00:00:01] Introduction to free B2B procurement software.[00:03:09] The origin of SpendHound’s free model.[00:08:08] Monetisation through aggregated data.[00:17:41] Mid-market vs enterprise adoption.[00:20:05] AI-driven contract analysis and benchmarking.[00:29:18] How to get started and implementation timeline.And that wraps up another episode of The Procurement Software Podcast!Thanks again for listening, and do please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Every one helps!We'll be back at the same time next month, so see you there.If you want to learn more about Procurement Software, check out the useful links below.Stay in touch!Connect with Tom Ruello on LinkedInCheck out SpendHoundDownload our Tech Map for EnterpriseDownload our Tech Map for Mid-MarketDownload our Tech Map for SMEsFind your perfect procurement tech solution in our Software Finder appSign up for the Entproc NewsletterBook an Intro Call and let’s talk all things Digital Procurement!Connect with James on LinkedIn

The Pulse of the Mid-Market - Mike Cargiulo from MJC Sourcing

In this episode of The Procurement Software Podcast, James Meads welcomes Mike Cargiulo, founder of MJC Sourcing, for a conversation that challenges the tech-first narrative in procurement transformation.Mike shares how MJC Sourcing supports mid-market organisations with hands-on, execution-focused procurement expertise. Rather than leading with slide decks, Mike and his team roll up their sleeves — delivering rapid results in complex sourcing, stakeholder engagement, and supplier negotiations. With a focus on flexible, expert resourcing, his firm fills capability gaps where internal headcount is stretched thin.Can Lean Procurement Teams Really Outperform the Big Players?We explore how smaller, agile procurement teams — armed with the right mindset, strong processes, and modern tools — can deliver more value per head than traditional enterprise setups. Mike also shares why he believes process and people come before tech, and how AI is supercharging productivity without replacing human judgement.Also discussed in this episode:How to build procurement credibility in organisations with limited influenceWhy bringing in A-players beats training average hiresThe hidden risk of relying solely on internal category expertsHow AI is helping sourcing professionals manage increasing workloadsWhy agility and flexible talent are essential to future-proofing procurementA compelling conversation on transforming procurement through smart resourcing, sharp execution, and a realistic view of technology’s role.Timestamps:[00:01:09] Why MJC Sourcing was founded.[00:03:05] Execution vs presentations in consulting.[00:04:22] On-demand procurement expertise.[00:07:36] Upskilling internal teams through collaboration.[00:10:23] People, process and tech – in that order.[00:13:45] Productivity gains with AI in procurement.[00:16:10] Value creation beyond savings.[00:21:02] Driving procurement influence in tough cultures.[00:25:15] Data’s role in enabling procurement.[00:29:21] Can small teams outperform enterprise procurement?[00:30:30] What’s next for MJC Sourcing.And that wraps up another episode of The Procurement Software Podcast!Thanks again for listening, and do please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Every one helps!We'll be back at the same time next month, so see you there.If you want to learn more about Procurement Software, check out the useful links below.Stay in touch!Connect with Mike Cargiulo on LinkedInCheck out MJC SourcingDownload our Tech Map for EnterpriseDownload our Tech Map for Mid-MarketDownload our Tech Map for SMEsFind your perfect procurement tech solution in our Software Finder appSign up for the Entproc NewsletterBook an Intro Call and let’s talk all things Digital Procurement!Connect with James on LinkedIn

AI, People, Change, and Mindset - Gregory Vider and Markus Sinz from apadua

In this episode of The Procurement Software Podcast, James Meads is joined by Gregory Vider and Markus Sinz, co-founders of apadua, recorded live at their Indirect Procurement Days event near Frankfurt, Germany.Drawing on their backgrounds as procurement practitioners and founders, Gregory and Markus share a grounded, thoughtful perspective on what AI really means for procurement. Rather than hype or job-replacement narratives, the discussion focuses on AI as an enabler that amplifies human capability, improves decision-making, and removes low-value administrative work.AI, People, Mindset, and Skills: Why they all matterThe conversation explores apadua’s journey from a conventional sourcing platform to rebuilding an AI-native product from scratch, driven by deep user research rather than surface-level feature injection. James and the apadua team unpack why “human in the loop” remains critical, how procurement roles may shift towards more generalist and strategic profiles, and why differentiation in an AI-first world will come from people, not models.Also discussed in this episode:How to tell real AI capability from marketing noiseWhy procurement adoption of AI will be gradual, not suddenThe future size and shape of procurement teamsWhy apadua pursued ISO 27001 and what buyers should ask about cybersecurityA reflective, pragmatic conversation on the future of procurement in an AI-enabled world.Timestamps:[00:00] Podcast introduction and episode setup[01:05] Final episode of 2025 and IPD event context[02:45] Introduction to Gregory Vider and Markus Sinz from apadua[03:20] Why AI creates confusion in procurement teams[04:25] How to tell real AI capability from marketing hype[05:45] AI as an enabler, human-in-the-loop vs automation[12:15] Rebuilding apadua as an AI-native procurement platform[15:50] How AI will reshape procurement roles and skill sets[27:40] The future size and structure of procurement teams[33:00] Cybersecurity, ISO 27001, and what buyers should askAnd that wraps up another episode of The Procurement Software Podcast!Thanks again for listening, and do please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Every one helps!We'll be back at the same time next month, so see you there.If you want to learn more about Procurement Software, check out the useful links below.Stay in touch!Connect with Gregory Vider on LinkedIn and Markus Sinz on LinkedInCheck out apaduaDownload our Tech Map for EnterpriseDownload our Tech Map for Mid-MarketDownload our Tech Map for SMEsFind your perfect procurement tech solution in our Software Finder appSign up for the Entproc NewsletterBook an Intro Call and let’s talk all things Digital Procurement!Connect with James on LinkedIn

Revolutionising Supplier Performance Data - Matthew Spencer from FlockScore

In this episode of The Procurement Software Podcast, James Meads welcomes Matthew Spencer, procurement veteran and founder of FlockScore, a newly launched startup rethinking how supplier performance is captured and shared across industrial supply chains.Matthew brings a rare perspective as a procurement practitioner-turned-founder, having led SRM and sustainability at Bekaert Group before identifying a critical market gap: supplier scorecards were siloed, static, and lacked ecosystem-level insight. FlockScore aims to change that, offering a collaborative, AI-powered model for tracking supplier performance.Can we really crowdsource Supplier Performance Data?We unpack how FlockScore’s “open contribute-to-access” model lets procurement teams upload anonymised supplier performance data in exchange for aggregated, comparative insights. Matthew explains how AI agents enrich these insights by scanning public sources for issues like recalls, shutdowns, or delivery disruptions, without exposing contributor identity.Also discussed in this episode:Why supplier performance often takes a backseat to compliance and innovationThe limits of traditional scorecards and why category-specific metrics matterHow FlockScore enhances, not replaces existing SRM and S2P systemsWhy soft supplier feedback from stakeholders should be part of every scorecardWhat makes FlockScore different from review platforms and peer benchmarkingA fascinating deep dive into how collective intelligence and AI are reshaping supplier evaluation, built for procurement, by procurement.Timestamps:[00:01] Intro to Matthew Spencer, FlockScore[01:14] Matthew’s background[02:18] FlockScore analogy[03:44] The “aha” moment and data gap externally[06:02] Why supplier performance management is underrated today[11:27] Engaging stakeholders effectively[13:04] Open contribute-to-access model and credits[18:50] FlockScore’s AI and difference to traditional tools offerings[23:37] Cultural and category differences, flexible taxonomy and future vision for procurementAnd that wraps up another episode of The Procurement Software Podcast!Thanks again for listening, and do please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Every one helps!We'll be back at the same time next month, so see you there.If you want to learn more about Procurement Software, check out the useful links below.Stay in touch!Connect with Matthew Spencer on LinkedInCheck out FlockScoreDownload our Tech Map for EnterpriseDownload our Tech Map for Mid-MarketDownload our Tech Map for SMEsFind your perfect procurement tech solution in our Software Finder appSign up for the Entproc NewsletterBook an Intro Call and let’s talk all things Digital Procurement!Connect with James on LinkedIn