Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly finding its way into everyday working life - from production to marketing and administration. AI is also becoming noticeably more important in Procurement : where manual Excel spreadsheets and empirical values used to dominate, intelligent systems are now helping to structure data, recognize patterns and make well-founded decisions.

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For SMEs in particular, AI is becoming a strategic tool for creating transparency, recognizing risks at an early stage and systematically identifying potential savings.

In the webinar, Fabian Dirlmeier (Business Development at Tacto) shows how AI can already be used in Procurement today - and how companies can achieve measurable results with minimal effort.

AI in Procurement - from operational action to value management

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Purchasing organizations process huge amounts of information every day - from article master data to quotation and invoice information through to supplier key figures. However, many companies lack a systematic approach: instead, Excel spreadsheets, email chains and individual experience dominate. As a result, strategic work often falls by the wayside - the potential of purchasing remains untapped.

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The vision: Procurement that is data-based, proactive and networked throughout the company - Procurement 5.0.

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Artificial intelligence is not an end in itself, but the key to making this change possible:

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• Transparency about suppliers, prices, contracts and risks
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• Automation of repetitive tasks such as queries, comparisons or document checks
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• ‍Proactiverecommendations for action to manage savings, negotiations and risk management

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AI thus creates the basis for Procurement that not only reacts, but actively shapes - and becomes a value driver in the company.

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Fields of application - where AI is already helping in Procurement today

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The webinar highlighted three key areas in which Tacto's AI functions are already providing concrete support:

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1. Increased efficiency and quality - e.g. through automated supplier searches, bid comparisons or document checks (NDAs, certificates)
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2. Direct cost savings - through proactive information on price outliers, cheaper alternatives or suboptimal ordering behavior
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3. Compliance & risk management - for example through automated risk analyses in accordance with the LkSG or CSDDD

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How it works: From data import to measurable savings potential

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Getting started with AI-supported procurement management is easier than many people think. The webinar showed how companies can achieve real savings in just a few steps with Tacto - without any lengthy implementation projects.

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The process follows a clear principle:

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1. Import and analyze data: Based on existing order data, Tacto automatically recognizes anomalies - such as unusual price trends, deviating quantities or alternative delivery options.
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2. Receive specific recommendations for action: The identified potentials are compared with purchasing targets and prioritized - including clear proposals for implementation.
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3. Making successes visible: Implemented measures and realized savings are documented in the system and can be evaluated at any time.

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Conclusion: The Procurement of the future is data-driven - with people at the center

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AI will not replace Procurement - but it will provide targeted support where data volumes and decision-making pressure are increasing. Humans remain indispensable: for strategic decisions, supplier evaluation and collaborative partnerships.

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AI is not a replacement, but an intelligent assistant that gets the best out of the data. More transparent. More efficient. More strategic.

In the webinar, Fabian Dirlmeier (Business Development at Tacto) will show how artificial intelligence helps purchasing departments to analyze large amounts of data, identify risks and identify cost-cutting potential at an early stage. Using real application examples, companies will learn how they can achieve measurable results with little effort - including a free savings report based on their own data. A must for anyone who wants to digitally transform and strategically develop their Procurement .