Driving strategic control in services procurement
Fragmented processes and rising costs
For a leading European media company, managing services procurement had become a growing challenge. With multiple business units operating independently across five countries — Finland, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, and Norway — processes were fragmented, visibility was limited, and costs were creeping upward. The organisation knew it needed a smarter, more unified approach to regain control and unlock savings.
Before partnering with Pontoon, the company’s Statement of Work (SOW) engagements were handled in silos. Each business unit had its own way of selecting suppliers and managing tenders, leading to duplication and inefficiencies. Without central oversight, pricing varied widely, and opportunities for cost optimisation were missed.
The lack of visibility also meant leadership couldn’t accurately track spend or forecast future needs — a critical gap in an environment where budgets were under pressure. The goal was clear: create a standardised, transparent process that would deliver consistency, compliance, and measurable savings.
Standardisation and intelligent reporting
Pontoon introduced a structured approach that transformed services procurement from reactive to strategic. We deployed the SOW module within the VMS, integrated with a Power BI dashboard to provide real-time insights. This wasn’t just a technology upgrade — it was a process overhaul. We standardised tendering against a preferred supplier list, implemented managed selection workflows, and supported the client through every stage of the RFP and SOW lifecycle. From drafting and approvals to payment monitoring, the process became seamless and auditable. By combining automation with governance, we gave the client the tools to make data-driven decisions and eliminate inefficiencies.