E-bidding The New Global Business Trend
Internet technology has become an intrinsic part of business enterprises across the world. Traditional business models have been replaced by online business proceedings with its high-tech tools and features. The rise of internet technology happened as business owners realized the potential of the Internet in enhancing the speed, efficiency and accuracy of their business operations and how they facilitate smooth and flawless business proceedings.
One such promising new-age business trend is E-Bidding. With more and more e-commerce websites getting deployed on the World Wide Web, the concept of e-bidding in soaring high.
What is E-Bidding?
E-bidding, also known as online bidding and e-auctions is a rising trend in the corporate circles across the globe. E-bidding is the concept wherein an online marketplace or website allows buyers to post their requirements in real time bidding events and potential suppliers and service providers can compete to sell their products or services to the buyer.
E-biddings are especially beneficial in scenarios where clients have accurately specified requirements and need the best and cost effective services to satiate them. Apart from the cost factor, clients can also consider the timeliness and quality of deliverables as a deciding factor to choose service providers and product suppliers.
E-bidding is a highly popular trend and is being used by several industries to buy and sell products and professional services at profitable rates and further profitable business endeavors.
The Process of E-Bidding
E-bidding revolves around the concept of sale and purchase of products and services online at profitable prices. Buyers generally post their requirements in online marketplaces and B2B websites and place Request for Bids. Potential suppliers and service providers can view these posts and submit competitive Bids for the same. In turn, buyers can review the bids and select one that is most cost effective. However, money is not the only criteria in selecting the vendor. Rather, buyers can browse through portfolios of potential vendors, trace their experience and expertise of the industry and then select the one that best qualifies for their requirements.
Business Advantages of E-Bidding
E-bidding offers a plethora of advantages to businesses and industries. It allows businesses to procure quality and cost effective services for their processes and thus helps them expand their profit margins. Likewise, suppliers and service providers can offer their products and services at best rates and reap benefits as well.
Here are some valuable business advantages of bidding online.
Access to Large Databases
B2B websites generally contain extensive databases of buyers and service providers. This increases and widens the network of the companies and individuals who register themselves on the website and connects them to a large pool of industry audiences. While buyers can browse through the database to find suitable service providers for their projects, service providers, in turn can apply to several posted projects and acquire new leads for their businesses.
Access to Worldwide Business Leads
E-bidding brings together buyers and service providers from all over the world. All the members of a B2B website have access to a worldwide audience. This means they can transgress geographical boundaries and time zone differences to hire professional services of offshore service providers and suppliers.
Access to Worldwide Business Leads
E-bidding brings together buyers and service providers from all over the world. All the members of a B2B website thus have access to a worldwide audience. This means buyers can transgress geographical boundaries and overcome time zone differences to hire professional services from offshore service providers and suppliers.
Comparison of Biddings
E-biddings allow buyers to monitor biddings and compare the different bids that are submitted. After they have reviewed all the bids, they can evaluate potential service providers and choose the best out of the lot.
Established Credibility
E-biddings is a critical procedure on trusted and established B2B websites. So all the members of the database are reliable and trust-worthy. This is because, these websites validate the identity of all the registered members and thoroughly check the details specified by them. This enhances the sanctity of online business proceedings.
Reduced Paperwork
Since all the proceedings are done online and all the information is stored electronically, there are no hassles about paperwork. The information can be easily and steadily processed and put to further use. Unlike scrapes of paper that needs to be reviewed manually, online data can be processed electronically by automated programs and softwares. Moreover, there is no additional costs regarding postage, photocopying and so on.
Time Savings
Because of online processing of information and other operations, e-bidding saves businesses a great deal of time and effort. Unlike tender systems, one doesn’t have to individually sort through applications to choose the right service provider and even the suppliers don’t have to send out forms and applications. E-bidding makes it easier to submit and review forms easily over the internet.
Secure Bidding Environment
E-commerce websites have strict security measures and privacy policies that ensures the safety of your data. Moreover, you can also be sure that all your cash transactions would be processed safely and securely.
Standardized Procurement Process
B2B websites allow buyers to specify the desired qualifications of vendors and service providers that they wish to seek. Thus, buyers can define parameters such as number of years of experience, type of expertise, ISO certifications and so on. And only service providers that fulfill these specified pre-conditions can apply or bid for the posted project. This highly standardizes the procurement process and delivers only relevant options to the client.
E-bidding helps obtain not just cost-effective services but also the ones that offer best value. It should be used as a strategic procurement tool by businesses to acquire valuable services for themselves and widen their profit margins.
Disclaimer : Sabra Easterday is the owner and founder of MatchB2B. Sabra is also a lawyer with a special interest in business issues and e-marketplaces. Notwithstanding that Sabra Easterday is a lawyer, nothing in this article and no services of MatchB2B or its website are legal services and no attorney-client relationship exists between any reader of this article or user, customer or potential customer of MatchB2B, and MatchB2B, its website or Sabra Easterday.