Single-creditor model vs. procurement platform: which one solves which problem?
Catalog platforms cover standard purchases reliably. But a large share of indirect purchases sits outside any catalog.
- Copy paper A4In the catalog
- Turned part made to drawingVendor: Pedlar
- Protective glovesIn the catalog
- Trade fair carpet 12 m²Vendor: Pedlar
- Cable tiesIn the catalog
- Compressed air system maintenanceVendor: Pedlar
- Printer cartridgeIn the catalog
- CAD licenceVendor: Pedlar
What is a single-creditor model, and what is a procurement platform?
A single-creditor model runs indirect procurement through one vendor. A procurement platform is a catalog or marketplace system for recurring standard purchases. The difference is the supplier base: the model is open, the catalog is not.
- Copy paper A4
- Protective gloves
- Cable ties
- Printer cartridge
- Not in the catalog
- Not in the catalog
Procurement platform / catalog system
Digital catalogs and marketplaces bundle recurring standard purchases: defined categories, negotiated terms, self-service for departments.
Limit: anything outside the catalog is left out.
- Pedlar GmbHAll one-time purchases
Single-Creditor Model
Pedlar is set up once as a vendor in your ERP.
One vendor instead of a hundred one-time suppliers, for everything outside the catalog.
Six criteria, two answers.
Not a ranking: they solve different problems.
Coverage of one-time purchases
Only what is in the catalog.
Open supplier base: any item, any service, any supplier.
Implementation
System rollout: integration, catalog connection, user training.
One vendor setup in the ERP. Nothing to integrate, maintain or train.
Catalog maintenance
Ranges, prices and user rights must be kept current.
None: there is no catalog.
Invoicing
Bundled, but only for platform purchases.
You get one invoice from Pedlar per order.
Compliance
Outside the catalog, departments work around it: maverick buying.
Every one-time purchase runs as a normal ERP order: verifiable and auditable.
Cost model
System and operating costs, plus internal upkeep and admin.
No fixed costs, no minimum volume: price per order.
Catalog platforms and marketplaces are treated here as one category. Features and terms vary by provider.
Let's talk about your one-time purchases.
Tell us how you order today. We'll get back to you.
When a platform, when the single-creditor model?
Your catalog keeps standard purchases. Pedlar takes the rest.
Recurring, predictable, standardisable
Here, an existing platform should stay where it is.
Irregular, specific, outside the catalog
A supplier setup does not pay for one order, and no catalog covers these purchases.
How much does a single-creditor model actually save in process costs?
At Witzenmann, process costs for one-time purchases fell from €42,000 to €6,300 a year, down 85% per order. The manufacturer runs around 300 one-time orders a year through a single vendor: Pedlar.
Tedious, high-effort one-off C-parts purchases can be handled efficiently and effectively thanks to PEDLAR's single-creditor solution.
Michael SchmidVice President Purchasing, WitzenmannGet to know the Single-Creditor Model in 30 minutes.
In the intro call, our sales team shows you how the model works, which orders it covers, what it costs and how you get started.
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Frequently asked questions
Does the single-creditor model replace our procurement platform?
No. Your platform keeps the standard purchases. Pedlar takes the one-time purchases outside the catalog.
We already have an e-procurement system. Why is that not enough?
Because a large share of indirect purchases sits outside any catalog: special parts, one-off services, software licences, trade fair supplies.
What does the single-creditor model cost?
No fixed costs, no minimum volume. You pay per order, based on the order value.
How fast does Pedlar handle a one-time purchase?
Pedlar processes every request within 24 hours, with a personal contact instead of a ticket system.
How can mid-sized companies manage indirect spend?
In mid-sized companies, five approaches mainly compete: decentralised purchasing, central procurement, category management, digital procure-to-pay systems and managed services for tail spend.
How does the single-creditor model differ from a B2B marketplace?
The single-creditor model is not tied to a product range: you can buy from any supplier, including outside any catalog.