Companies integrate AI features to expand visibility and influence business outcomes, ISG Provider Lens^® report says

Enterprises are advancing procurement operations toward AI-enabled, data-driven processes that improve scalability, strengthen governance and deliver better business outcomes, according to a new research report published today by Information Services Group (ISG) (Nasdaq: III), a global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm.

The 2026 ISG Provider Lens^® global Procurement Services report finds that organizations are taking procurement methods beyond task automation, embedding AI-assisted capabilities into core processes to speed up procurement and increase agility while strengthening operational controls.

“Enterprises are redefining procurement as a strategic function supported by well-governed AI with strong data foundations,” said Robert Stapleton, partner at ISG. “AI-enabled procurement features are helping organizations reduce risk, increase resilience and achieve better financial outcomes.”

Many companies are integrating AI into sourcing, contracting and accounts payable systems to both automate decision-making and improve oversight. AI-based tools guide users through workflows, making purchase processing more accurate and reducing the need for manual validation. As a result, organizations are achieving faster cycle times with fewer operational errors and giving procurement teams time to focus more on strategic planning and decision-making than on repetitive tasks.

A key improvement is the ability to consolidate procurement requests through unified intake models that standardize how demands enter the system. Guiding transactions through one entry point with automation improves user experience and reduces the fragmentation of processes between departments. This approach increases visibility into spending and ensures consistent routing and prioritization of requests. It also strengthens policy adherence without requiring additional enforcement mechanisms.

Enterprises are treating data quality management as a daily discipline rather than a one-time initiative. Ongoing data stewardship that ensures the accuracy of supplier and transaction information enables real-time insights into spending, supplier risks and process performance. With those insights, such as early detection of impending delays, teams can be proactive about preventing late payments or preparing for supply disruptions. Rather than always adapting to events after they happen, procurement can do more to influence business outcomes, ISG says.

“Procurement transformation is increasingly holistic, with the goal of enhancing both efficiency and resilience,” said Tarun Nathooram Vaid, principal analyst at ISG and lead author of the report. “Service providers are supporting enterprises with structured, AI-powered approaches that reshape the flow of demand, decisions and controls.”

The report also explores other trends in procurement services, including the adoption of modular service components to accelerate implementation and the integration of risk and compliance controls into daily workflows.

For more insights into the procurement challenges faced by enterprises, along with ISG’s advice for addressing them, see the ISG Provider Lens Focal Points briefing here.

The report evaluates the capabilities of 28 providers across three quadrants: Procurement Operations Modernization Services, Strategic Sourcing & Category Management and Supplier Management and Contract Lifecycle Services.

It names Accenture, Capgemini, Corcentric, Deloitte, Genpact, GEP, HCLTech, IBM, Infosys and TCS as Leaders in all three quadrants. The report names PwC as a Leader in two quadrants and Tech Mahindra and Wipro as Leaders in one quadrant each.

In addition, Cognizant and ProcureAbility are named as Rising Stars — companies with a “promising portfolio” and “high future potential” by ISG’s definition — in two quadrants each. Tech Mahindra and Wipro are named as Rising Stars in one quadrant each.

In the area of customer experience, Wipro is named the global ISG CX Star Performer for 2026 among Procurement BPO Services providers. Wipro earned the highest customer satisfaction scores in ISG's Voice of the Customer survey, part of the ISG Star of Excellence™ program, the premier quality recognition for the technology and business services industry.

Customized versions of the report are available from GEP, Infosys and Capgemini.

The 2026 ISG Provider Lens global Procurement Services report is available to subscribers or for one-time purchase on this webpage.

About ISG

ISG (Nasdaq: III) is a global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm. A trusted partner to more than 900 clients, including 75 of the world’s top 100 enterprises, ISG is a long-time leader in technology and business services that is now at the forefront of leveraging AI to help organizations achieve operational excellence and faster growth. The firm, founded in 2006, is known for its proprietary market data and research, in-depth knowledge and governance of provider ecosystems, and the expertise of its 1,500 professionals worldwide working together to help clients maximize the value of their technology investments.

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Enterprises are redefining procurement as a strategic function supported by well-governed AI with strong data foundations. AI-enabled procurement features are helping organizations reduce risk, increase resilience and achieve better financial outcomes.