Sixty per cent of UK companies’ spend is either uncontrolled or considered to be too process-intensive, according to research by Warwick Business School and Infobank. The survey of more than 150 respondents from business purchasing, central government departments and public bodies throughout the UK showed that the majority of purchasing is either process intensive, requiring too much time-intensive paperwork and documentation, or is uncontrolled, meaning it is not properly authorised. The author of the report, Dr Simon Croom, told SM: “E-commerce is a great opportunity for suppliers to manage customers. While we are all striving for this holy grail of e-business, it is more likely that the suppliers will control the process because of a desire to tie in relationships, market their products and plan ahead for production.” In separate research, Infobank commissioned Total Recall to review satisfaction levels relating to corporate procurement. The research found that 65 per cent of finance directors say current procurement procedures must change and that electronic com- merce must be “at the heart” of the change.