A01 chaf6542 06 se fm indd

(a)

(b)

(c)

Many-to-one

(buy-side @ buyer site)

Trade via

supplier’s

website

Many-to-many

(neutral exchanges)

Key

Supplier Customer

Trade via

intermediary

website

Trade via

buyer’s

website

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Chapter 7  E‑procurement

Chapter 2 explained that companies supplying products and services had to decide which 

combination of these models would be used to distribute their products. From the buyer’s 

point of view, they will be limited by the selling model their suppliers have adopted.

Figure 7.5 shows options for a buyer who is aiming to integrate an internal system such 

as an ERP system with external systems. Specialised e‑procurement software may be neces‑

sary to interface with the ERP system. This could be a special e‑procurement application or