Coupa Software Partners with MasterCard and Silicon Valley Bank to Automate Payments in New Era of Connected Business

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150604006097/en/Coupa-Software-Partners-MasterCard-Silicon-Valley-Bank#.VXG-fc9Vikp

Chapter 7 of the text for Kroenke discusses the procurement process and answers questions about the process and how SAP can assist in making it a smoother and more effective.  The article, which is titled, “Coupa Software Partners with MasterCard and Silicon Valley Bank to Automate Payments in New Era of Connected Business” discusses how Coupa Software has started a partnership with MasterCard that would make it easier for Coupa’s customers to make payments and receive invoices.  Coupa Software is one of the leading cloud-based spend management solutions and also uses an ERP system to give business measurable results that cloud spend management has lacked for a long time.  The service deploys virtual card payment solution within one of Coupa’s platforms and would allow millions of business that use MasterCard to get their invoices paid faster without any negative impacts on their customer’s cash position.  MasterCards virtual card technology along with Coupa also allows buyers to set payment upon the approval of the transaction, which allows for reduced costs, and risks associated with traditional payment methods. This capability allows for less friction for companies around the world when it comes to their payment processes.  This partnership and service also allows for customers to set days payable outstanding while also allowing suppliers to choose their invoice payment terms and how they get paid leading to what they call the ultimate B2B win-win.  The platform should allow for greater efficiency as well greater benefits and allow better B2B relations with any suppliers regardless of the size or volume of business.

QUESTIONS

1.  Do you think Coupa Software has found a good balance between using the cloud and an ERP harmoniously?

2.  Are partnerships like the one discussed in the article a good idea in regards to the procurement process? Why or why not.  Furthermore do you think if this is successful it could lead to more partnerships like this one?

3.  In the future what other technologies do you think will be available that will make the procurement process easier?