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TMW Enterprise Transportation is ideal for LTLs, private fleets, bulk carriers, third-party logistics providers, and truckload carriers. This system be integrated with any ERP to see the full benefits of a robust TMS....Read more
ShippersEdge is a cloud-based transportation management solution that manages shipping logistics. It helps users manage shipments, submit claims and handle multiple carriers. ShippersEdge helps companies save time and control...Read more
For more than 10 years, One Network Enterprises has offered one of the industry's only "many to many" network supply chain solution that is purely demand driven. Their Real Time Value Network is suitable for large companies....Read more
Quintiq's Supply Chain Planning & Optimization is a highly customizable trucking management platform suitable for large trucking companies in many verticals. It offers flexible deployment options. ...Read more
Icertis provides cloud-based contract lifecycle management (CLM) solutions that enable businesses to manage all stages of a contract’s lifecycle. Key features include approval workflow, auto extraction, milestone tracking, contrac...Read more
Bellwether Purchasing Software is an on-premise and cloud-based purchasing and inventory management solution. Primary features include requisitions, approval routing, purchase order management, receiving, invoice matching, invento...Read more
SutiProcure offers integrated applications for Procurement, Supplier Management, Strategic Sourcing, and Contract Management. It can be deployed either on-premise or web-based. ...Read more
Asentex is a contract management solution designed for business of all sizes. The product caters to multiple industries, such as construction, education, government agencies and health care. The product is available both in cloud...Read more
easyPurchase, created as an SaaS-based solution by ESM Solutions, streamlines procurement processes for any size business. It ensures effective utilization of resources while maintaining its flexibility and affordability....Read more
BASEC is SicommNet's collection of web-based tools designed to manage and improve a company's entire procurement process. We recommend it to companies of most sizes and industries. ...Read more
Pronto Xi is a fully integrated system that helps businesses gain a clear picture of every activity of their distribution and manufacturing processes from start to finish. ...Read more
ContractWorks is a contract management solution designed to address the signing, tracking, and managing of contracts. ContractWorks features a centralized, searchable repository for contracts, and includes helpful features l...Read more
Choosing a contract lifecycle management (CLM) solution for small and midsize businesses (SMBs) can be a challenge, especially when there are so many options available on the market. It’s important to understand in detail all the features, deployment models and market trends before finalizing your software purchase decision. For that reason, we’ve created this buyer’s guide to help you choose the right CLM solution for your organization.
Here's what we'll cover:
What Is Contract Lifecycle Management Software?
Common Features of Contract Lifecycle Management Software
Evaluating Contract Lifecycle Management Software
Deployment Models and Pricing
Market Trends to Understand
Contract management lifecycle software organizes the complex and detailed contractual negotiation process between buyers and suppliers. These solutions typically manage the entire lifecycle of a contract, from initial request for proposal (RFP) to eventual renegotiations. Gaining full control of the contractual process allows users to not only reduce supplier risk, but also to gain increased insight into contracts—creating strategic negotiation opportunities and improved cash flow.
CLM software solutions have proven to be a must-have tool for managing efficient workflows. These solutions help streamline processes for sales, procurement, legal, operations and finance professionals. With more organized workflows, managers can focus on key performance areas and reduce the need for constant follow-ups. These systems also give users the capability to create personalized contracts with their clients.
These software systems range from applications that exclusively manage vendor contracts to robust suites that also include sourcing, bidding and procurement functionality. Many of these solutions also integrate with other supply chain, accounting and enterprise resourcing planning (ERP) systems.
By automating and simplifying contract acquisition and maintenance, users can ensure consistent contractual language, regularly maintained buy-cycles and sound financial planning. Users can also take advantage of notification systems that help identify opportunities to improve contract alignment. The result is a smoother acquisition process, higher supplier retention and reduced contractual risk that can lead to better cash management practices.
Specific features of CLM solutions include the following:
Compliance assurance | Automation assures users that contractual negotiations meet compliance regulations. Additional company and industry-specific compliance protocols can be added as necessary. |
Contract creation and automation | These systems often include new contract templates that can easily be exported to Microsoft Word or other document creation programs. Additionally, future contracts can be automatically sent through the user’s predefined workflow. |
Approval management | The approval process goes through many hands. These solutions enable the next-in-line to receive automated notifications that the contract is ready for their approval—speeding up the process greatly. |
Notifications and alerts | These systems allow users to construct both broad and long-tail notification parameters for renewal dates, expiration dates and other renegotiation opportunities. Alerts can be delivered within the system or sent directly to a user’s email address. |
Ad hoc reporting | Reporting features allow users to find additional opportunities to improve contractual terms. Reports can be generated based on search queries or specific contracts. |
Accounting and ERP integration | Oftentimes, these systems integrate directly with accounting and ERP solutions to maintain accurate cash flow data, as well as aid in financial forecasting. |
Analyst firms have consistently found that streamlined CLM is a best practice for companies looking to reduce supplier risk. Regulation of the contract lifecycle allows users to gain increased visibility and reduce this risk, as well as discover contract improvement opportunities.
When evaluating CLM systems, these questions can help determine if the solution fits your needs:
CLM software is generally available in two separate deployment models, which tend to have different pricing structures:
Cloud-based. Cloud-based CLM software is hosted on the vendor’s servers and is typically priced as a SaaS model, meaning that users pay a monthly or annual subscription fee that is usually based on the number of users.
On-premise. On-premise CLM software is hosted on the user’s own servers. This type of deployment usually costs a flat, upfront fee to use the software indefinitely, though there may be recurring support and maintenance fees on an yearly basis. The upfront fee is also typically based on the number of users on the system, as this type of software is sold in the form of licenses per person.
The CLM software market is gradually evolving as business executives realize the benefits of implementing a CLM solution. Buyers are looking for a solution that both fits their budget and meets the needs of their small business. Here are the primary trends influencing the CLM software market:
Digitization of paper contracts. Organizations are moving on from paper to digitized documents for faster processing of contracts. Also, digitized documentation help in reducing overhead paper and printing costs. E-signature functionality enables executives to swiftly approve documents while fulfilling all compliance requirements. Advanced CLM software helps users monitor contracts in real time and sends alerts for pending documents with upcoming deadlines.
Increased adoption of cloud-based software. Cloud-based software provides agility to businesses by reducing the upfront investment of licensing fees. This model suits the requirements of small businesses, as it incurs only operational expenditures. Furthermore, online platforms require minimal hardware infrastructure and could be more secure than on-premise solutions for small businesses operating on a limited budget.