The Purchasing Card Benchmark

AberdeenGroupThe Purchasing CardBenchmark ReportBest Tactics to Increase Program GrowthABRIDGED EDITIONComplete Edition Available at:http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30410131&cid=1641March 2005The Purchasing Card Benchmark Report Executive Summary his report presents the findings of a benchmark study sponsored jointly by Aber-deenGroup and the National Association of Purchasing Card Professionals T (NAPCP). Purchasing card program challenges, priorities, strategies, and tech-nologies were surveyed to provide program management parameters and best practices. Issues of program control to enable new business and cost reductions are pre-sented along with additional ways to drive value from purchasing card programs. Key Business Value Findings The chief trait of best practice purchasing card programs with greater than average growth over the past five years is the depth of attention placed on the program. Best prac-tice programs go beyond traditional convention and do not confine the use of purchasing cards to off contract, non-traditional, non-purchase order, or ad-hoc, incidental purchas-ing requirements. The best purchasing card programs are changing historical paradigms. Implications & Analysis Best practice programs address new spend categories and supplier types, and embrace technology for reasons beyond administration convenience. Success factors common to best practice programs include: • Purchasing cards are used as ...