We’d like to demystify the term e-procurement for you, while also showing you how your business or organisation can make significant cost savings. The more orders you place each year, the greater your potential savings.

Procurement professionals use the term e-procurement to describe optimising the purchasing process. E-procurement simply means a streamlined, optimised ordering process handled electronically.

Is it worth looking into? That’s for you to decide. To help you make your decision, let’s talk about C-parts and the numbers. 

Another Anglicism. Consumables is the English term for supplies. In other words, we’re talking about low-cost products that are needed on an ongoing basis and have to be restocked regularly. C-items aren’t limited to traditional office supplies, either. They can just as easily include light bulbs, hygiene products or coffee pods.

The experts estimate that placing an order costs a business between €100 and €300. This doesn’t refer to the shopping basket, but to the process costs alone. Reading and comparing catalogues, browsing the internet for bargains, setting up and maintaining numerous suppliers in the accounting system, submitting requests to the purchasing department, obtaining approval from budget holders, checking incoming goods, and so on all consume huge amounts of staff time and resources. All the steps that make sense when purchasing capital goods make ordering C-items absurd, because the costs often exceed the value of the shopping basket.

The very sharp minds who have analyzed and quantified the process costs of analog ordering in their companies have concluded that a lean, efficient electronic ordering process can save around €100 per order. Small change, you say? If the procurement department at a business or organization handles three requests a day, multiply that number by two hundred working days, then multiply it again by forty euros in savings, and we’re talking about substantial sums per year.

To streamline the process, we need to establish a core range, which we define together with you. The core range includes the C-items you order on a regular basis. Whether these are office supplies, conference room essentials or washroom hygiene products makes no difference. We set up your core range with special terms, add it to the ordering platform and make it visible to users. Next, we analyse your ordering process together and map it electronically. Our job is to tailor your ordering platform to your needs and make it available online. Your job is to encourage your employees and colleagues to focus on products in the core range. Once this has been implemented, you can start making savings.

1. Save money by consolidating orders

With a single central supplier and a defined core range, you benefit from lower purchase prices and save money by consolidating orders.

2. Transparent orders and costs

Keep track of all orders, see exactly which organisation ordered which products and which items are needed most often. Our solution gives you a clear overview and makes budget planning easier.

3. Centralised management and simple processes

Manage all orders in one system! Employees responsible for ordering simply sign in with their email address and can browse the core range or create order lists. No more confusing communication with multiple suppliers – one central contact is all you need.

4. No shipping costs

Set a minimum order value and you won’t pay any shipping costs, resulting in additional savings.

Customer numbers & cost centres: Each organisation is assigned a dedicated customer number or cost centre, making it easy to allocate orders. Fixed prices & core range: Agreed purchase prices for all Diakonie organisations ensure consistent, fair terms—with no surprises. Purchasing permissions: Only authorised employees can place orders for your area of responsibility, so you always stay in control. Transparent order history: All orders can be tracked at any time for simple, efficient administration. All of this can be set up in our regular online shop with customisations tailored to your needs.

Significant cost savings by consolidating orders and setting fixed purchase prices.

Greater transparency around orders and spending—ideal for accounting.

Easy to use, with a single supplier and a clear user interface.

Future-proof: a scalable system that grows with your organization.

All charitable welfare organizations: From pregnancy counseling to youth services and daycare centers, every team benefits from a simpler, more transparent purchasing process.

Accounting and finance departments: Simplified invoicing and transparent documentation make it easier to manage budgets efficiently.

Purchasing and administration teams: No need to manage multiple suppliers or search for the best prices—everything in one place.