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From Sustainment to Value Realization: 
How To Drive Real Results After 
Source-to-Pay Go-Live

"True value in procurement isn't just realized at the point of implementation, it's captured through continuous optimization and proactive sustainment. Studies show that companies with a robust support model see up to 20% higher ROI over the system's lifecycle, as they consistently adapt to evolving business needs and market conditions."

Carla Eboni, Partner at Optis

Overview

Procurement functions are under increasing pressure to deliver greater efficiency, cost savings, and compliance. Source-to-Pay (S2P) platforms have become essential for organizations looking to optimize their procurement processes, improve supplier relationships, and gain better financial visibility. However, what many organizations don't understand is that implementing an S2P solution is just the beginning — ongoing platform maintenance and support are critical to ensuring long-term success and value realization. Without continuous optimization, businesses risk system inefficiencies, compliance gaps, and reduced user adoption, ultimately impacting their bottom line. 

Common Challenges in S2P Platform Administration

Platform Upgrades

Keeping up with frequent updates from leading S2P software providers can be daunting, especially when ensuring compatibility and minimal disruption. Many organizations struggle to stay on top of upgrade schedules, leading to unexpected issues and performance gaps. 

New software versions introduce changes that can disrupt workflows
Testing and validating upgrades require significant time and resources
Downtime during upgrades can negatively impact procurement operations
Delayed upgrades can lead to security vulnerabilities and compliance risks

Why is it happening?

S2P platforms are continuously evolving to introduce new functionalities, enhance security, and maintain regulatory compliance. However, organizations often lack the internal resources or expertise to manage these upgrades efficiently, leading to delays, compatibility issues, or reactive troubleshooting rather than proactive management. 

lack of in-house it experience

Not all companies have dedicated IT administrators with specialized knowledge of S2P systems. Without the right expertise, organizations may face inefficiencies, prolonged downtime, and an inability to leverage the full potential of their platforms. 

Internal teams may not have the necessary certifications or expertise
Troubleshooting complex system issues takes longer without specialized support
Lack of proactive monitoring can result in unresolved system inefficiencies
Configuration errors can lead to compliance and financial risks

Why is it happening?

Many companies focus their IT resources on core business applications rather than procurement systems. As S2P platforms become more complex, specialized knowledge is required to manage configurations, troubleshoot issues, and optimize performance — resources that many organizations do not have in-house. 

Resource Constraints

Managing an in-house support team can be resource-intensive, diverting focus from core business activities. Organizations may struggle with balancing operational demands while ensuring their S2P systems run smoothly. 

Hiring and training an in-house S2P support team is costly and time-consuming
High turnover results in knowledge gaps and risks over repetitiveness of internal training and processes
Limited internal capacity leads to delays in resolving procurement system issues
Competing IT priorities push S2P sustainment efforts to the back burner

Why is it happening?

As businesses scale, IT teams often become stretched across multiple priorities. S2P support is typically not a primary focus, leading to underinvestment in dedicated resources and a reliance on ad hoc problem-solving rather than structured, ongoing system sustainment.

The Sustainment Landscape

Perform offers a comprehensive suite of features tailored to address the most common frusterations that arise with long-term source-to-pay system maintenance.

  • Certified Support for Leading Platforms: Our team is certified to support Coupa, Ivalua, and Ariba platforms, ensuring expert handling of your specific system needs. 
  • Extension of Your IT Team: Optis act as an extension of your IT department, providing specialized knowledge and support without the overhead of managing an in-house team. 
  • Continuous Improvement: Beyond basic helpdesk functions, we focus on the continuous enhancement of your S2P solutions, ensuring they evolve with your business and technological advancements. 
  • Proactive Management: Our proactive approach ensures potential issues are identified and addressed before they escalate, minimizing disruptions to your operations. 

More than just a helpdesk.

Perform, by Optis, is designed to bridge this gap by providing expert-led sustainment, ensuring the stability and continuous improvement of your source-to-pay system. Our team acts as an extension of your organization, proactively managing system updates, resolving complex issues, and implementing best practices to help you maintain peak performance. With Perform, companies can focus on strategic procurement initiatives while leaving the complexities of platform sustainment to a team of specialists. 

Optis Support Framework

Our flexible Perform framework allows businesses to scale support based on their needs, ensuring they receive the right level of assistance without unnecessary overhead. Whether an organization requires essential stability, proactive enhancement, or a fully embedded sustainment team, Optis provides the expertise and structure necessary to maximize the value of their source-to-pay investment. Each model below is designed to be fully customizable to meet the unique support needs of each customer. 

Model 1: Essential Support

For organizations looking for foundational support to maintain the stability of their source-to-pay systems, the Essential Support model provides: 

  • Help Desk – Tier 1,2 & 3 Technical Support
  • User Maintenance & Guidance
  • Environment & Data Management
  • +/- 40 hrs / month for Small Enhancement Delivery

This model is ideal for organizations with some in-house IT capabilities with the need for occasional external expertise to supplement their efforts. 

Model 2: Advanced Support

For organizations seeking support beyond issue resolution with proactive management and continuous improvement, the Advanced Support model provides:

  • Help Desk – Tier 1, 2 & 3 Technical Support
  • User Maintenance & Guidance
  • Environment & Data Management
  • +/- 80 hrs / month for Small Enhancement Delivery
  • Supplier and Catalog Enablement
  • Group Training Programs
  • Program Success

Organizations that seek a more hands-on sustainment approach without the burden of managing a full-time internal team will benefit from this model. 

Model 3: Enterprise Support

Designed for businesses that require a fully integrated sustainment team, the Enterprise Support model provides end-to-end management of S2P platforms: 

  • Help Desk – Tier 1, 2 & 3 Technical Support
  • User Maintenance & Guidance
  • Environment & Data Management
  • +/- 160 hrs / month for Small & Medium Enhancement Delivery
  • Supplier and Catalog Enablement
  • Group Training Programs
  • Release Management & Upgrade Support
  • Change Management Advisory
  • 24x7 Support for P1 and P2 Tickets
  • Platform License Harvesting & Reallocation
  • Program Success

This model is best suited for large enterprises with complex procurement environments that demand a robust, forward-thinking sustainment strategy. 

Sustain, Retain, Act

Successful procurement transformation doesn't end at implementation, it requires sustained effort, strategic adaption, and continuous enhancement to ensure long-term success.

By investing in the right support plan with Perform, organizations can effectively sustain their source-to-pay platforms, retain operational efficiency, and act decisively on procurement opportunities. 

Choosing the right sustainment strategy is critical in navigating evolving business landscapes, staying ahead of compliance changes, and optimizing procurement performance. With Optis as your sustainment partner, you gain more than just support — you gain a proactive, expert-driven approach to maximizing the full potential of your source-to-pay investment. Now is the time to take action and ensure your procurement systems are built for resilience, efficiency, and growth. 

Perform in Action

Discover the real-world application of Perform for Optis clients that have deployed market-leading software solutions. Find out how a partnership with Optis can be instrumental in transforming organizations' procurement processes.

Tailored Coupa Updates for Two Global Organizations 

Two Optis clients, in the chemical manufacturing and investment management industries, utilized Optis Perform services to implement additional functionality, enhance adoption, and support platform administration. 

Full Case Study

Continuous Ivalua Improvement for a
Global Resources Client
 

A global mining and mineral company utilized Optis Perform services to ensure adoption, execute platform enhancements, and provide 24/7 tailored support.  

Full Case Study

Large Oil & Gas Client Achieved Elevated
Adoption with SAP Ariba
 

A large oil and gas client utilized Optis Perform services to establish business KPIs, enhance platform adoption, and create additional value by identifying cost-saving opportunities. 

Full Case Study

Lastest Source-to-Pay 
Sustainment Trends

Maintain your competitive edge by staying ahead of current trends.

  • Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Innovation - AI is increasingly being harnessed in procurement to enhance decision-making and efficiency.
  • Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Focus - There's a growing emphasis on ESG factors, influencing procurement strategies and supplier selections.
  • Global E-Invoicing Mandates - The rise of global e-invoice mandates is reshaping the compliance landscape, necessitating updates to existing S2P processes. 

By leveraging Perform, organizations can navigate these challenges and trends effectively, ensuring their S2P solutions remain robust, efficient, and aligned with their strategic objectives. 

Related Resources

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