eSourcing is the use of digital tools to run supplier discovery, RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, bid evaluation, and sourcing events. It creates a shared record of requirements, supplier responses, communications, and award decisions instead of relying on disconnected email threads and spreadsheets.
How does eSourcing work in practice?
An eSourcing system structures the sourcing event, supplier invitations, questions, documents, bids and evaluation record in one controlled workspace. It can improve comparability and auditability, but the technology does not define the requirement or make the award decision. Users still need clear event rules, evaluation criteria and authority.
Quick reference for eSourcing
| Check | What it means for the transaction |
|---|---|
| Category | Procurement and sourcing |
| Record to keep | Keep the requirement, requester, supplier response, evaluator and approval together when they apply. |
| Do not infer | Do not treat a sourcing record as a purchase order, invoice or proof of delivery unless that later document has actually been issued. |
