EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is based on the 4-Model Agent-based assessment tool that leverages the RAM 1998 to 2025 framework architecture.
Below is a ranking of the top 10 ProcureTech should-cost solution providers—GEP, Zycus, Ivalua, SAP Ariba, Coupa Software, Jaggaer, Keelvar, Lytica, ProPurchaser, and Archlet—across three criteria: length of time in business, company size, and top reason for dealing with each one.
Exact data like employee numbers or revenue isn’t universally public for all (especially private firms), so rankings are based on available founding dates, estimated scale from industry reports, and inferred strengths from their offerings. Each criterion is ranked from best (1) to last (10), with reasoning provided.
Below is a ranking of the top 10 ProcureTech should-cost solution providers—GEP, Zycus, Ivalua, SAP Ariba, Coupa Software, Jaggaer, Keelvar, Lytica, ProPurchaser, and Archlet—across three criteria: length of time in business, company size, and top reason for dealing with each one. As of April 5, 2025, exact data like employee numbers or revenue isn’t universally public for all (especially private firms), so rankings are based on available founding dates, estimated scale from industry reports, and inferred strengths from their offerings. Each criterion is ranked from best (1) to last (10), with reasoning provided.
1. Length of Time in Business
This ranks providers by their founding year, reflecting longevity and experience in the market.
Rank
Provider
Founded
Reasoning
1
SAP Ariba
1996
Ariba was founded in 1996 (acquired by SAP in 2012), making it the oldest.
2
Jaggaer
1995
Founded as SciQuest in 1995, rebranded to Jaggaer, just edging out SAP Ariba.
3
GEP
1999
Established in 1999, a pioneer in procurement software with 25+ years.
4
Zycus
1998
Founded in 1998, a veteran in cognitive procurement solutions.
5
Ivalua
2000
Launched in 2000, slightly newer but with a strong 24-year track record.
6
Coupa Software
2006
Founded in 2006, a relatively younger leader in spend management.
7
ProPurchaser
2008
Started in 2008, newer but focused on negotiation tools.
8
Keelvar
2012
Founded in 2012, a decade of experience in sourcing optimization.
9
Lytica
2015
Established in 2015, a newer player in supply chain analytics.
10
Archlet
2019
Youngest, founded in 2019, reflecting its startup status.
2. Company Size
This ranks providers by estimated scale (e.g., employees, revenue, market share), using available data and market presence. Private companies obscure exact figures, so this is an approximation.
Rank
Provider
Est. Size
Reasoning
1
SAP Ariba
102,000+ (SAP total)
SAP’s global workforce (2024) and Ariba’s 25.4% market share (Apps Run The World, 2023) lead.
2
Coupa Software
3,000+ employees
Publicly traded, $725M revenue (2023), a major player in business spend management.
3
GEP
5,000+ employees
Private, serves Fortune 500 clients globally, estimated large workforce across 25+ countries.
4
Zycus
1,500+ employees
Private, global presence with offices in 20+ locations, significant scale for a specialist.
5
Ivalua
850+ employees
Private, growing fast with 400+ clients, but smaller than top-tier competitors.
6
Jaggaer
1,000+ employees
Private, serves 2,000+ clients, but less expansive than GEP or Coupa.
7
Keelvar
~100 employees
Smaller, private firm focused on sourcing automation, growing but not at scale of leaders.
8
Lytica
~50–100 employees
Small, analytics-focused firm, limited public data but niche scale.
9
ProPurchaser
<50 employees
Very small, likely a boutique provider with a narrow negotiation focus.
10
Archlet
~30–50 employees
Startup with a lean team, ProcureTech 100 honoree, but minimal scale.
3. Top Reason for Dealing with Each One
This ranks providers by their most compelling value proposition for should-cost analysis, based on their strengths and market differentiation.
Rank
Provider
Top Reason
Reasoning
1
Zycus
AI-driven cost transparency
Merlin AI Suite’s autonomous negotiation and $28M savings potential stand out for should-cost.
2
GEP
Comprehensive cost modeling
GEP SMART’s AI analytics and Fortune 500 adoption make it a should-cost leader.
3
Ivalua
Unified spend visibility
Holistic platform excels in cost breakdown and supplier analytics, flexible for complex needs.
4
ProPurchaser
Negotiation cost savings
Focused tool leverages market data for 5–10% savings, directly targeting should-cost goals.
5
SAP Ariba
Integrated cost benchmarking
Massive supplier network and S/4HANA integration provide robust cost insights.
6
Lytica
Predictive cost analytics
Real-data-driven insights offer precise should-cost modeling for supply chain optimization.
Broad platform with 11% spend reduction potential, though less should-cost-specific.
9
Jaggaer
Category cost insights
Analytics for direct materials support should-cost, but less AI-focused than top peers.
10
Archlet
Analytics-first sourcing
AI-driven cost modeling is promising, but its youth limits proven impact versus established firms.
Summary of Rankings
Length of Time in Business: SAP Ariba and Jaggaer lead with nearly 30 years, while Archlet trails as the newest (2019).
Company Size: SAP Ariba dominates with SAP’s scale, followed by Coupa and GEP; Archlet and ProPurchaser are smallest.
Top Reason: Zycus’s AI and GEP’s modeling top the list for should-cost specificity; Archlet’s emerging tech ranks last due to limited maturity.
Integrated Perspective
Best Overall: GEP and Zycus score high across all three—longevity (20+ years), sizable operations, and strong should-cost reasons (AI and analytics).
Middle Tier: SAP Ariba, Ivalua, and Coupa leverage scale and integration, though their should-cost focus varies in specificity.
Emerging Players: Keelvar, Lytica, and Archlet offer innovative should-cost tools but lack the tenure and size of leaders.
If you prioritize one criterion (e.g., longevity over size), I can refine further—let me know! Data gaps for private firms like Lytica or ProPurchaser mean some rankings rely on inference, but this aligns with current industry standing.
Conclusion
This ranking provides a comprehensive overview of the ProcureTech solution providers based on their longevity, size, and primary advantages in supporting “should cost” analysis. Each provider offers unique strengths that cater to different aspects of procurement needs, from AI-driven automation and spend management to sourcing optimization and cost analytics.
Organizations seeking “should cost” ProcureTech solutions should consider these rankings alongside their specific requirements, industry focus, and integration needs to select the most appropriate provider for their procurement strategy.
Procurement Insights
Which “Should Cost” ProcureTech Solution provider is the best in these three key areas?
Posted on April 5, 2025
0
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is based on the 4-Model Agent-based assessment tool that leverages the RAM 1998 to 2025 framework architecture.
Below is a ranking of the top 10 ProcureTech should-cost solution providers—GEP, Zycus, Ivalua, SAP Ariba, Coupa Software, Jaggaer, Keelvar, Lytica, ProPurchaser, and Archlet—across three criteria: length of time in business, company size, and top reason for dealing with each one.
Exact data like employee numbers or revenue isn’t universally public for all (especially private firms), so rankings are based on available founding dates, estimated scale from industry reports, and inferred strengths from their offerings. Each criterion is ranked from best (1) to last (10), with reasoning provided.
Below is a ranking of the top 10 ProcureTech should-cost solution providers—GEP, Zycus, Ivalua, SAP Ariba, Coupa Software, Jaggaer, Keelvar, Lytica, ProPurchaser, and Archlet—across three criteria: length of time in business, company size, and top reason for dealing with each one. As of April 5, 2025, exact data like employee numbers or revenue isn’t universally public for all (especially private firms), so rankings are based on available founding dates, estimated scale from industry reports, and inferred strengths from their offerings. Each criterion is ranked from best (1) to last (10), with reasoning provided.
1. Length of Time in Business
This ranks providers by their founding year, reflecting longevity and experience in the market.
2. Company Size
This ranks providers by estimated scale (e.g., employees, revenue, market share), using available data and market presence. Private companies obscure exact figures, so this is an approximation.
3. Top Reason for Dealing with Each One
This ranks providers by their most compelling value proposition for should-cost analysis, based on their strengths and market differentiation.
Summary of Rankings
Integrated Perspective
If you prioritize one criterion (e.g., longevity over size), I can refine further—let me know! Data gaps for private firms like Lytica or ProPurchaser mean some rankings rely on inference, but this aligns with current industry standing.
Conclusion
This ranking provides a comprehensive overview of the ProcureTech solution providers based on their longevity, size, and primary advantages in supporting “should cost” analysis. Each provider offers unique strengths that cater to different aspects of procurement needs, from AI-driven automation and spend management to sourcing optimization and cost analytics.
Organizations seeking “should cost” ProcureTech solutions should consider these rankings alongside their specific requirements, industry focus, and integration needs to select the most appropriate provider for their procurement strategy.
TODAY’S TAKEAWAY
Watch the following 15-minute Power Demo video by a former CPO and recognized industry thought leader in “should cost” modeling: How To Build and Implement a Negotiators’ Should Cost Model.
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