When it comes to lab supplies and scientific equipment, you’ve probably heard the terms “procurement” and “purchasing” used interchangeably, but they’re actually a bit different. Understanding these differences can make your lab supply procurement process smoother, more efficient, and even save you some time and money.
What is purchasing?
In simple terms, purchasing is the act of buying things. It’s the transaction itself, including identifying what you need, negotiating the best price, and placing the order. When it comes to scientific equipment or lab supplies, purchasing is about acquiring the materials your lab uses every day.
This could be anything from test tubes and gloves to high-tech microscopes and other scientific equipment. Purchasing is a more tactical, short-term process that focuses on getting what you need right now.
What does purchasing look like in action?
- Placing orders for lab supplies
- Handling purchase orders for lab tools and equipment
- Communicating with vendors to make sure your order arrives on time
What is procurement?
Procurement, however, is a more strategic, long-term approach. It’s not just about buying items; it’s about managing the entire supply chain to ensure your lab has the equipment and supplies it needs in the most efficient way possible. Procurement involves selecting suppliers, maintaining strong vendor relationships, negotiating contracts, and making sure items arrive on time.
While purchasing is one part of procurement, the broader procurement process looks at managing costs, reducing risks, and making strategic decisions for your lab’s future needs, whether that’s for consumables or scientific equipment.
Here’s what’s typically involved in procurement:
- Figuring out exactly what your lab supply needs are
- Finding reliable scientific equipment suppliers
- Building lasting relationships with those suppliers
- Managing inventory and predicting future supply needs
So, what’s the difference?
- Scope: Purchasing is focused on the specific act of buying lab supplies and scientific equipment. Procurement includes this but also covers planning and strategy to optimize your lab’s entire supply chain.
- Timeframe: Purchasing is short-term and is about buying what you need now. Procurement is long-term, making sure you’re sourcing supplies and equipment efficiently over time.
- Decision-making: Purchasing decisions are often made by individuals or smaller teams based on immediate needs, while procurement is handled by higher-level managers who coordinate and plan for the lab’s future requirements.
Why procurement matters in scientific equipment and lab supply management
Understanding the difference between procurement and purchasing can be a game-changer for labs. If you focus only on purchasing without a procurement strategy, you might miss opportunities for long-term savings, better supplier relationships, and streamlined processes.
Tips for streamlining the lab supply procurement process
To make things easier, here are some tips to streamline your lab supply procurement process:
- Develop a solid procurement strategy that’s aligned with your lab's needs.
- Use technology to track and manage lab inventory and supplies that can help you save a lot of time and money.
- Build strong relationships with trusted suppliers to get the best prices and more reliable deliveries.
- Make sure your purchasing team has the right tools to efficiently handle purchase orders and deliveries.
At the end of the day, both procurement and purchasing are essential for running a smooth operation. Procurement is all about strategy and long-term planning, while purchasing is about executing orders and keeping things running on time. Understanding how these two processes work together can make a big difference for your lab’s operations.
Ready to streamline your lab procurement process?
At ZAGENO, we’ve got a marketplace with millions of scientific equipment and lab supply SKUs from thousands of trusted brands to help you get the job done. Schedule a walkthrough and discover the ZAGENO difference.
