CPO Rising’s Technology Round-Up series continues this week with fresh supply management technology news and updates covering a few recent major announcements. If you are a sourcing, procurement, or spend management solution provider and you are continually innovating the way that procurement and supply chain leaders and practitioners drive value, we’d love to hear from you. Please drop us a note at info at cporising dot com. Thanks, and enjoy!
GEP Acquires OpusCapita
CLARK, N.J. — GEP®, a leading provider of AI-driven procurement and supply chain software, consulting, and services to Fortune 500 and Global 2000 enterprises, announced that it has acquired OpusCapita, a leading provider of e-invoicing and procurement solutions based in Helsinki, Finland.
The acquisition combines GEP’s industry-leading procurement and supply chain software with the foremost e-invoicing and accounts payable automation solutions, and expands GEP’s global operations across the Nordic countries.
According to Subhash Makhija, CEO and cofounder of GEP, “OpusCapita is a kindred spirit with a proven track record of strong organic growth, tenured customers, a relentless focus on fostering top-tier talent and investing in AI-driven procurement software and services,” he said.
“OpusCapita is a perfect fit for GEP and vice versa, because it unites the foremost e-invoicing and AP automation solutions in the Nordic region with GEP SMART, the industry’s leading AI-driven global procurement and supply chain platform, and combines deep regional expertise and relationships into a robust customer base of global enterprises,” Makhija added.
The company stated that OpusCapita, founded in 1985, is at the forefront of e-invoicing, accounts payable automation, and supply chain document management, supporting 600 clients, with 220 employees located across offices in the Nordics, continental Europe, and Pittsburgh, U.S.
Similar to GEP, which introduced the industry’s first AI-native, low-code platform, GEP QUANTUM, for its flagship software solutions, GEP SMART™ (procurement), GEP NEXXE™ (supply chain), and GEP GREEN (sustainability), OpusCapita recently launched its ground-up remade SaaS platform with AI and low-code.
Sharing his thoughts, Santosh Nair, chief product officer for GEP, stated, “We are coming together with OpusCapita to further our mission to apply AI and low-code solutions to automate and streamline procurement, enabling companies to make a marked leap in impact and value,” he said.
“We’re excited about our shared future, and to introduce OpusCapita customers to our solutions, which help the world’s best companies create greater value from their spend,” added Nair.
OpusCapita will operate as a stand-alone subsidiary of GEP, leveraging GEP’s scale, global presence, broader product portfolio, and deeper R&D capabilities to drive growth.
Read the full announcement here.
SpendHQ Appoints New Executives to Develop Next Phase of Growth & Data-Driven Innovation
ATLANTA — SpendHQ, a best-in-class spend intelligence and procurement performance management solutions provider, announced the appointment of Madeline O’Phelan as chief marketing officer and Manuel Roger as EMEA managing director. The strategic hires will support SpendHQ’s next phase of growth and innovation to help its customers harness AI’s potential to optimize procurement’s impact and create enterprise-wide value.
The company stated that O’Phelan joins SpendHQ with a proven track record in driving demand generation and go-to-market strategies for high-growth, PE-owned software companies. At SpendHQ, she will spearhead the company’s global marketing efforts, targeting the increasing demand for AI-driven procurement intelligence across North America and EMEA. Leveraging her expertise in data-driven and market intelligence strategies, O’Phelan will lead SpendHQ’s initiatives to accelerate growth and enhance customer retention.
Roger brings over 20 years of procurement and SaaS experience to SpendHQ, with expertise in building and leading cross-functional and multi-cultural teams, a proven track record in selling, upselling, and delivering complex technology solutions to Fortune 1000 companies globally, and driving scalable strategies for growth. At SpendHQ, he will look to develop and strengthen partnerships with technology and consulting firms and nurture strategic relationships with existing customers and prospective clients. Additionally, Roger will support SpendHQ’s ongoing localization in Europe, Middle East and Africa meet the specific business needs of regional customers.
According to Scott Macfee, CEO at SpendHQ, “Both O’Phelan and Roger bring unparalleled expertise in crafting effective growth strategies and leading high-performing teams, which will be instrumental to SpendHQ as we address the escalating demand for AI-driven procurement solutions,” he said. “Our customers understand the transformative potential of AI to convert spend insights and procurement processes into significant impact and savings.
“With O’Phelan and Roger on board, we will fortify an already strong brand that embodies SpendHQ’s dedication to empowering our customers to embrace a data-first approach to procurement. Our innovative solution ensures a seamless flow of data between analytics, strategy, and execution, driving continuous improvement and value,” Macfee added.
Read the full announcement here.
Sphera® Announces Significant Updates to its Advanced Risk Assessment (ARA) Solution
CHICAGO — Sphera®, a leading global provider of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance and risk management software, data and consulting services, announced significant updates to its Advanced Risk Assessment (ARA) solution that empowers process and manufacturing plant managers to proactively monitor, assess, and manage risk.
Recognizing the complexity of modern industrial operations, the company stated that SpheraCloud ARA is a comprehensive solution that streamlines processes for enhanced efficiency and compliance. The ARA updates optimize the already robust features of the solution to maintain its position at the forefront of risk management technology.
Key updates to SpheraCloud ARA directly reflect customer feedback to improve navigability, functionality, and user experience. This includes a revamped interface with a contemporary cloud-based design and integration with plant and risk management systems via library API capability. It also allows the management of users centrally or through the organization’s identity management system.
According to Paul Marushka, Sphera’s CEO and president, “Risk management is a non-negotiable priority, and we listened to our customers and tailored our solution to meet the industry’s evolving needs,” he said.
“With a modern interface, centralized user management, and improved system integrations, Sphera’s enhanced ARA tool provides a streamlined solution for process and manufacturing plant managers to embrace the future of risk management. Empowering our customers to protect their people, assets and communities is crucial to our mission of creating a safer, more sustainable and productive world,” Marushka added.
Read the full announcement here.
Ceipal Launches Ceipal Copilot To Supercharge Staffing, Recruiting, and Candidate Engagement
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Ceipal, a global leader in staffing and recruiting software, has launched Ceipal Copilot, an innovative solution designed to transform staffing and recruiting processes through advanced artificial intelligence (AI)-generated responses and evaluation.
The company stated that the staffing and recruiting landscape has become more dynamic with the arrival of Generation Z (those born between 1996 and the early-mid 2000s), the world’s largest generation, which now comprises 27% of the workforce. Growing up with technology, Generation Z brings unique perspectives and comfort with digital tools to the talent pool. Ceipal Copilot addresses the need for recruiters to use new tools to quickly connect and engage with top candidates so they don’t lose them to other opportunities.
According to Sameer Penakalapati, founder and CEO of Ceipal, “Ceipal continues to lead the staffing and recruiting software sector by putting the newest and most advanced AI-powered tools in the hands of staffing and recruiting professionals,” he said. “Ceipal Copilot streamlines recruitment workflows, enabling recruiters to focus on what they do best: connecting the right candidates with the right opportunities.”
The company ideified the following key features of Ceipal Copilot:
- AI-Generated Responses: Leverage state-of-the-art AI technology to produce accurate and relevant responses, streamlining recruitment workflows.
- Applicant Profile Summarization: Summarize applicant profiles to provide insights into their qualifications and experience, facilitating more efficient screening.
- Boolean Search Queries: Build complex Boolean search queries tailored to specific job requirements, simplifying candidate search processes.
- Applicant Relevancy Check: Identify best-fit candidates from internal databases by verifying how well they match job requirements.
- Personalized Screening Questions: Create customized screening questions focused on specific hiring needs, ensuring more efficient identification of suitable candidates.
- Tailored Communication: Craft personalized emails, SMS messages, and follow-up correspondence to keep candidates informed and engaged throughout the recruitment process.
- Compelling Job Summaries: Develop engaging job summaries and job-share information with ease, improving understanding and readability.
- Customized Assessment Questions: Construct tailored assessment questions to evaluate applicants’ skills accurately.
By integrating Ceipal Copilot into their recruitment processes, staffing and recruiting teams can ensure that candidates receive personalized updates and next steps, which enhances their overall experience and fosters better communication.
Read the full announcement here.
Accenture to Acquire Camelot Management Consultants to Expand SAP and Supply Chain Capabilities
MANNHEIM, Germany — Accenture has agreed to acquire Camelot Management Consultants, an international SAP®-focused management and technology consulting firm from Germany, with specific strengths in supply chain, data, and analytics.
The acquisition will further enhance Accenture’s SAP and AI-driven supply chain capabilities, helping clients build the intelligent and resilient supply chains that today’s business landscape demands.
The company stated that Camelot’s deep expertise in supply chain management will bolster Accenture’s ability to drive the reinvention of its clients’ entire supply chains. Camelot will also bring experience in analytics, data strategy, and modernization, helping organizations build a strong foundation for accelerating the adoption of AI. Research from Accenture shows only 9% of companies use AI and generative AI widely across their supply chains, and the adoption of the technologies correlates with higher profitability.
According to Tobias Regenfuss, technology lead Austria, Switzerland, and Germany for Accenture, “Today, we are seeing a surge in demand for data and analytics services in supply chain management, strongly driven by increased market volatility and the need for companies to make their logistics more efficient,” he said.
“With our acquisition of Camelot, we will further enhance our capabilities and services to help our clients use technology to address complex and pressing business needs and drive additional value.”
Founded in 1996, Camelot is a leading SAP partner in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland with a broad client portfolio of large and midsize companies in the chemicals , life sciences , consumer goods and industrial manufacturing industries.
Read the full announcement here.
