In this episode of The Procuretech Podcast, host James Meads welcomes Karthik Rama, also known as The Procurement Doctor, to discuss the current state of procurement and the barriers preventing investment in innovative startups and procurement tech companies. They explore the history and symptoms of the issue, and then offer potential solutions. Join us for an exciting and insightful conversation in the digital procurement space. Plug-and-play procurement technology: is it a fallacy? In this episode, James discusses digital procurement with Karthik Rama, The Procurement Doctor, who leverages his nearly two decades of procurement experience to assess the current state of procurement. They explore barriers to investing in innovative startups and procurement tech companies, emphasising the need for procurement to embrace technology. Karthik's status as a second-time guest underscores his expertise, with insights from working with both legacy suites and startups. A compelling SharePoint utilisation example illustrates how cost-effective solutions enhance processes and profitability. This episode offers valuable insights into digital procurement's challenges and opportunities, highlighting the importance of tech-savvy procurement professionals collaborating with startups for innovation. Timestamps: [00:01:45] Introducing Karthik Rama, aka The Procurement Doctor [00:05:51] Legacy suites and newer solutions. [00:08:29] UI and integration concerns. [00:12:46] Organisation size and procurement technology. [00:15:42] Risk aversion in procurement. [00:20:07] Demand for better UI/UX. [00:23:58] Marketplace or app store function. [00:29:41] Sustainability and ESG integration. [00:31:07] Low-code, no-code revolution. [00:34:32] Website refresh and relaunch. And that wraps up another episode of The Procuretech Podcast! Thanks to Karthik for sharing his insights with us today, and big thanks to you for listening. We'll be back at the same time next week, so see you there. If you want to learn more about Karthik Rama, Procurement doctors or Procurement Software, check out the useful links below. Stay in touch! · Connect with Karthik Rama on LinkedIn · Check out Procurementdoctors.com · Sign up for the Procurement Software Newsletter · Book an Intro Call and let’s talk all things Digital Procurement! · Connect with James on LinkedIn · Follow Procurement Software’s LinkedIn Page