UC Procurement wrapped up an ambitious Source-to-Contract (S2C) Market Research project to define what comes next for our upstream procurement systems. Backed by the Procurement Leadership Council (PLC), this initiative set out to answer a big question: Should we replace our current systems—like CalUsource and Benefit Bank—or improve how we use them?
The answer? It’s not just about swapping out tools. It’s about fixing the way data flows across systems, solving long-standing process headaches, and designing an architecture that reflects how UC really works.
What We Learned
The team dug into industry trends, benchmarked against other large institutions, and conducted more than 30 interviews across UC campuses. Key themes emerged:
- Data is everything – Cleaner, better-structured data is the foundation for any systemwide success.
- Tools are only part of the picture – Without the right operating models, even the best software won’t solve deep-rooted process gaps.
- A flexible architecture – balancing suite systems with point solutions is essential for long-term success.
What’s Next
Five immediate actions were approved:
- Develop a new operating model for a contract repository that pulls contract data and documents from campus systems to be aggregated and integrated into a systemwide solution.
- Explore ways to improve efficiency in the contract review process using AI technology.
- Invest in a new operating model and technology for Supplier Information Management (SIM) in which information flows from campus systems into a shared systemwide SIM technology.
- Fix UC’s foundational spend data issues, which is the focus of the Spend Analytics Foundational Improvement project
- Be proactive with data management (proper data governance) to ensure data quality, trust in the data, and allow adoption of advanced analytics.
The future may include new technologies – but only after these process improvements are considered. This work lays the foundation for smarter sourcing, better data reporting, and ultimately, a more connected procurement ecosystem across UC.