Introducing AI Agents For Procurement: What They Are & Why They Matter

Innovations have consistently reshaped manufacturing over the years, from the Industrial Revolution to the factories of today. Now, AI agents are leading the next wave of change, opening up new opportunities for procurement.

Imagine procurement teams equipped with custom-built agents. Their very own digital assistants that can handle everything from routine followups to shipment tracking, all through simple natural language commands. We’re going to deep dive into how these AI agents work and the benefits they bring to modern procurement.

Understanding AI Agents

AI agents are autonomous software programs – consider them digital helpers that can work on their own with minimal human guidance. They are designed to understand their environment, learn from the data they analyse, and adjust their actions as needed. These agents sift through both organised and unorganised information, identify key trends and details, and then act based on set objectives you have given them to complete.

They are used across various industries to perform a wide range of functions, such as customer service, data analysis, and even complex decision-making processes. 

What Are AI Procurement Agents?

Right now, many procurement teams are stuck manually updating siloed systems like email, ERP, and CRM, often spending long hours on repetitive tasks like follow-ups, admin and document matching. Because communication can get lost between these different platforms, miscommunication is common and decisions can take longer than they should.

AI procurement agents help automate repetitive tasks, manage risk, and provide valuable insights from your data to support strategic decision-making. Managing actions that would otherwise require hours of human intervention. The best part? Kavida allows teams to create these agents using natural language, making it easier for non-technical stakeholders to develop automations to suit their specific needs. It’s like having a tireless procurement assistant that works 24/7, adapting to both operational and strategic needs.

How Do AI Agents Work?

Kavida uses the latest advancements in natural language processing to let procurement teams create powerful, no-code automations. Here’s how it works when you’re using our platform:

1. Define Your Goals: Start by typing in exactly what you need—whether it’s managing supplier data or tracking shipment updates. Clearly defining your goals helps the agent understand its purpose.
2. Describe Actions in Your Own Words: Instead of writing complex code, you simply describe what you want the agent to do using natural language. For instance, you might say, “Monitor supplier delivery performance and notify me of any delays.” The simplicity of this process means you can quickly create automations without technical expertise.
3. Seamless Integration: Kavida’s agents work across your existing systems, including ERPs, supplier platforms, and shipment tracking services. They leverage these integrations to perform tasks efficiently and without interruption.
4. Continuous Monitoring and Adaptation: These agents don’t just execute tasks – they continuously monitor processes, adapt to changes, and learn from data. This means that once an agent is set up, it actively works to ensure the highest levels of efficiency, without needing constant oversight.