Transitioning from legacy systems to a modern supply chain solution starts with recognising that payments are no longer just a back-office function, but a critical enabler of supply chain performance.
Many organisations still rely on fragmented, manual processes that create friction, limit visibility, and slow cash flow. As supply chains become more digital and interconnected, these inefficiencies become more apparent.
The most effective transformations focus on integration rather than replacement. By embedding digital payment capabilities into existing procurement platforms and workflows, organisations can automate invoice approvals, accelerate settlement, and eliminate many of the manual touchpoints that can slow down operations.
Organisations making this shift are already seeing results, with 73 percent of European businesses reporting improved cash flow visibility and 71 percent achieving cost savings through embedded finance.
Equally important is bringing teams on the journey early. When they understand the benefits, from faster payments and reconciliation to enhanced security and data-driven insights, adoption becomes significantly easier.
Ultimately, with the right processes in place, modern, digital payment solutions become a lever for improving working capital, strengthening supplier relationships and helping organisations build better connected, more agile supply chains.
Tulsi Narayan
Executive Vice President, Commercial and New Payment Flows, Europe at Mastercard
About Tulsi Narayan
Tulsi Narayan is Executive Vice President, Commercial and New Payment Flows, Europe at Mastercard, responsible for helping businesses modernise the way money moves through more seamless, secure, and digital business-to-business (B2B) and cross-border payment solutions, enabling more efficient operations across complex supply chains and payment ecosystems.
The Question is a thought leadership series published on Supply Chain Outlook, created to explore the questions shaping global logistics, procurement, transportation, and supply networks.
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