Scout RFP: Vendor Analysis (Part 1) — Background and Solution Overview

Some might question why anyone would launch a new business in the e-sourcing market, precisely what Scout RFP has done. After all, the complexities of basic sourcing capability typically pale in comparison with what is required to tackle areas like procure to pay (P2P) and contract lifecycle management effectively, which is why so many second-generation vendors in these sectors have used new technology stacks to all but completely overtake early providers in capability (perhaps with the one exception of SAP Ariba, which is still holding its own with growth). Moreover, there is arguably greater value from advanced sourcing approaches that begin to incorporate elements of total cost management, constraint-based optimization and supply chain network design than basic e-sourcing alone.

Yet Scout RFP is proving the observation wrong. In North America, it’s adding customers faster than just about any other provider. In this Spend Matters PRO Vendor Snapshot series, we tackle Scout RFP, a three-year-old e-sourcing vendor that started by offering only a basic RFP module, without even auctions.

This three-part brief will provide facts and expert analysis to help buying organizations make informed decisions on whether Scout RFP should be on their shortlist of e-sourcing providers to consider, either as a new solution, a replacement for existing e-sourcing tools or a complement to them. Part 1 of our analysis provides a company background and detailed solution overview, as well as recommended fit suggestions for when organizations should consider Scout RFP. The rest of this multi-part research brief covers product strengths and weaknesses, competitor and SWOT analysis, user selection guides, and insider evaluation and selection considerations.