Alejandra Alfonso, Procurement Coordinator at Grupo Réditos, shares how the adoption of Wherex has significantly improved the efficiency, transparency and reach of the procurement team within the Colombian business group. With well-known brands and multiple subsidiaries, Grupo Réditos needed a solution that would adapt to its operational challenges.
Initial challenges
The purchasing team faced several challenges: a team with a long history in the organization, the implementation of a technology platform, and the expansion of its supplier base. Alejandra relates:
"The dynamic was that if I didn't need a supplier, if I wasn't going to buy something from them, I didn't activate it."
This approach limited access to suppliers and restricted opportunities to diversify the supply chain.
Efficiency in bidding:
The most notable impact was seen in efficiency. Previously, organizing a tender was a manual and tedious process that could take hours. With Wherex, that same process was reduced to minutes:
"I don't know how we did it for so many years, but Wherex really came in to give us that hand. To create a bid we said, 'In three minutes, no, I had to get two hours out'."
Wherex not only simplified the process, but also improved traceability and ensured a level playing field during bidding.
Increase in supplier base
One of the most important achievements has been the expansion of the supplier base. Before implementing Wherex, the number of suppliers they worked with was 700. By 2022, they closed with 4125, and in 2023 they reached 6655. Alejandro highlights the importance of this growth:
"The supplier issue has been fabulous. By 2023, we're up to 6655 suppliers."
This expansion has given the purchasing team access to a wider variety of competitive offers, strengthening its ability to negotiate and optimize costs.
Transparency and control:
The Wherex platform has also been crucial in strengthening internal control and transparency. The Réditos Group's auditors now have access to tenders in real time.
"In fact, the auditors have a user in which they can consult minute by minute the bidding, review and reconcile, without us even knowing about it."
This access has allowed auditors to download proposals and monitor purchases, ensuring that the process is completely transparent and under control.
Reduction of repetitive tasks:
Thanks to Wherex, the purchasing team has been able to reduce the operational burden significantly. They no longer need to manage so many processes manually, allowing them to focus on strategic tasks without losing sight of control and transparency.
"It has taken away that operability and control, but without losing the follow-up."
The implementation of Wherex has been a decisive change for Grupo Réditos, optimizing the purchasing process, facilitating access to thousands of suppliers and ensuring greater transparency. With less operational burden and greater control, the purchasing team can now focus on innovating and maintaining strategic relationships with its suppliers, ensuring the success and competitiveness of the business group.
