Digital material management
Digital material management is revolutionizing the way companies procure their C-parts. Instead of time-consuming manual processes, more and more companies are turning to automated ordering channels, electronic catalogs, and intelligent supply systems. The result: less effort, lower costs, and a reliable supply of materials.
As a system supplier with over 500,000 items in its range and 11 locations in Germany, Blumenbecker offers you the complete infrastructure for digital materials management. Over 1,000 customers already use our solutions to digitize their procurement processes and reduce process costs in the long term.
What does digital material management mean?
Digital materials management refers to the electronic control of all processes related to the procurement, storage, and provision of materials. The focus is particularly on C-parts—items with a low individual value but which are required in large quantities: screws, tools, protective workwear, cleaning supplies, or office supplies.
The central problem with traditional C-parts procurement is that procurement costs consist of around 80% process costs and only 20% actual material costs. A single manual ordering process – from determining requirements to comparing quotes to checking invoices – can cost between €80 and €200. For low-value items, the process costs often exceed the value of the goods many times over.
This is where digital material management comes in: automation, bundling, and intelligent systems drastically reduce these hidden costs.
Advantages of digital materials management with Blumenbecker
Blumenbecker is one of the leading names in industrial procurement management. With two logistics centers—in Beckum and Wuppertal (E/D/E)—we guarantee fast delivery times and high availability.
How your company benefits:
Reduce process costs: Digital ordering channels reduce administrative effort by up to 80%.
One point of contact: Bundle C-parts procurement with one system supplier instead of many individual suppliers
Huge range: Access to over 500,000 items from renowned manufacturers
Standardized interfaces: With BMEcat, we use the established exchange format for catalog data
By working with an experienced system supplier that has a large pool of suppliers and numerous affiliated dealers, you can achieve better terms than through time-consuming individual negotiations.
Our solutions for your procurement management
We work with you to analyze your existing procurement processes and develop a customized solution. Depending on your requirements, we use different supply concepts:
E-procurement – electronic procurement
E-procurement is at the heart of digital materials management. With our systems, order processing is decentralized and carried out directly from your employees' workstations. The requester is also the purchaser – incorrect orders, transposed digits, and misdirected shipments are a thing of the past.
Integration into existing ERP systems such as SAP is possible via OCI or cXML interfaces. Budget limits and approval scenarios are automatically adhered to, while your purchasing department retains full control.
>> More about Blumenbecker e-procurement Intralogistics and Kanban systems
Intralogistics and Kanban systems
We offer various Kanban solutions for supply directly at the point of consumption. From the classic two-container system to automated reordering, we ensure that your production never comes to a standstill. Deliveries are made according to demand, avoiding unnecessary stockpiling. >> More about Blumenbecker intralogistics
Personal support and advice
Despite all the digitalization, at Blumenbecker you always have a personal contact person. Our expert consultants know the requirements of the industry and support you in analyzing and optimizing your procurement processes—from the initial assessment to successful implementation.
Who is digital material management suitable for? The digitization of material procurement is particularly worthwhile for:
- Manufacturing companies with regular requirements for consumables and C-parts
- Companies with multiple locations that want to centralize and standardize their procurement
- Operations with high administrative costs for ordering small parts and industrial supplies
- Companies that want to reduce their number of suppliers and streamline processes
- Purchasing departments that want to focus on strategic tasks
Whether in mechanical engineering, the automotive industry, the food industry, electrical engineering, or logistics—we supply customers from all industrial sectors with tailor-made solutions for digital materials management.
Frequently asked questions about digital material management
What is digital materials management?
Digital materials management refers to the electronic control of all processes related to the procurement, storage, and provision of materials. Instead of manual ordering processes, automated systems, electronic catalogs, and intelligent supply concepts are used. The goal is to reduce process costs and ensure material availability.
What advantages does digital material management offer over traditional procurement?
There are many advantages: significantly reduced administrative effort, fewer errors thanks to automated processes, better conditions through volume bundling, full transparency across all ordering processes, and relief for the purchasing department, allowing it to focus on strategic tasks. Companies can reduce their process costs by up to 80%.
What are C-parts and why do they cause high process costs?
C-parts are materials with a low individual value that are required in large quantities—such as screws, tools, or protective work clothing. They account for around 50% of the parts spectrum, but only 10% of the purchasing volume. The problem: About 80% of procurement costs consist of process costs (ordering, inspection, invoice processing) and only 20% of material costs.
How does integration into existing ERP systems work?
Our e-procurement solutions can be integrated into common ERP systems, such as SAP, via standardized interfaces such as OCI or cXML. Budget limits and approval processes are automatically transferred. With BMEcat, we also use the standardized format for catalog data exchange.
How many items are included in the Blumenbecker range?
Our range includes over 500,000 items from renowned manufacturers. From fastening technology and tools to occupational safety products, we cover all industrial requirements. Thanks to our three-brand strategy, we offer the right product for every budget.
How quickly can I start using digital material management?
After jointly analyzing your procurement processes, we will develop a customized concept. Thanks to standardized interfaces, e-procurement solutions can be implemented in a short period of time. Contact us—we will be happy to advise you without obligation.
Get in touch!
Digitize your procurement now.
Would you like to digitize your materials management and reduce process costs in the long term? Our experts will analyze your current situation and show you specific areas for optimization.
