ServiceNow Supplier Lifecycle Operations Management by Novabridge: Automation that transforms procurement

ServiceNow Supplier Lifecycle Operations is revolutionising how businesses manage their procurement processes. According to recent industry surveys, 57% of procurement leaders admit their teams spend too much time on transaction processing rather than focusing on strategy. With suppliers playing increasingly critical roles in business performance and risk management, the old ways of spreadsheet tracking and endless email chains are holding companies back from achieving their potential. 

This article examines the root causes of supplier management inefficiencies and highlights how ServiceNow Supplier Lifecycle Operations, implemented by Novabridge, enables procurement teams to replace reactive, manual processes with a streamlined, transparent and strategically aligned approach.

The current state of Supplier Lifecycle Management in 2025: Still too manual

In many organisations, supplier data remains scattered, from shared folders to personal inboxes, along with onboarding forms, contracts, risk assessments, and expired certifications.

When suppliers wait for feedback and internal staff are confused about where to track progress, you know that current processes are creating invisible but serious bottlenecks.

This remains the common reality in 2025, where many organisations are trying to maintain supplier management with disconnected, unlinked tools prone to errors.

Core issues: overload, outdated systems, and lack of transparency

Let's address the problem directly.

Supplier lifecycle isn't just about onboarding. It's a comprehensive function that includes:

• Capability assessment and due diligence
• Risk management and compliance
• Performance tracking
• Communication and collaboration
• Offboarding and renewal

But in most organisations, these stages are fragmented across unconnected systems, manual processes, and unstructured email exchanges.

1. Outdated tools, disappointing experiences

Most supplier interactions are still managed through:

• Email inboxes
• Excel spreadsheets
• Static PDF forms
• SharePoint folders
• Manual status updates

The result? Delays, lost documents, and communication breakdowns.

Suppliers are left in the dark. Internal teams lack tracking capabilities. And procurement becomes a coordination centre rather than playing a strategic role.

2. Productivity drained by manual tasks

Supplier onboarding shouldn't become as complex and time-consuming as processing technical requirements. Yet, when teams constantly:

• Manually verify data
• Chase incomplete forms
• Reconcile individual risk assessment tools
• Process supplier requests

...their time is consumed by repetitive, low-value work.

This means less time for:

• Strategic supplier development
• Spend analysis
• Risk mitigation
• Innovation pursuit

According to one survey, 57% of procurement leaders report that their teams spend too much time on transactional activities and not enough time creating strategic value.

3. Fragmented systems create visibility gaps

Separate tools mean no one has the complete picture.

You have:

• ERP for payment terms
• Risk assessment platforms
• Shared drives for forms and certificates
• Email inboxes for status updates
• Project tools for task tracking

But no single workspace connecting everything.

The impact?

• Missed renewals
• Delayed onboarding
• Duplicate supplier evaluations
• Compliance gaps
• Uncontrolled spending

And all lead to frustration, not just for procurement teams, but for suppliers and stakeholders.

How Supplier Lifecycle Management should work

It's time to change the model from fragmented coordination to unified collaboration.

Here's what leading organisations are doing differently with digital Supplier Lifecycle Management (SLM) powered by ServiceNow Supplier Lifecycle Operations.

1. Create a unified workspace for Supplier Case Management

Imagine having every task, document, and communication related to suppliers in one place.

• Automated workflows triggered based on lifecycle stage
• Tasks assigned to internal stakeholders and suppliers
• Deadlines, dependencies, and documents all tracked in one view
• Every action is audit-ready by default

No more "who's doing what" emails. No more searching for attachments.

That's case management with clarity, traceability, and control—all enabled by ServiceNow Supplier Lifecycle Operations.

2. Redirect inquiries with a Supplier Collaboration Portal

Suppliers want answers - status updates, document feedback, bank information changes.

Instead of processing dozens of incoming emails each week, provide them with a self-service experience:

• Real-time views of onboarding progress or capability assessments
• Document upload tools with status alerts
• Secure messaging with procurement
• Notifications about renewal tasks or expiring certificates

This isn't just a better experience - it reduces noise and creates structured engagement through the ServiceNow Supplier Lifecycle Operations portal.

3. Accelerate Supplier Capability Assessments with automation

No more sending static forms and waiting two weeks for responses.

Use digitised workflows to:

• Trigger pre-built onboarding journeys
• Auto-score responses based on risk thresholds
• Route exceptions to legal or compliance for review
• Enforce policy rules flexibly based on supplier type or region

The result? Faster qualification times, fewer delays, and increased consistency—all core features of ServiceNow Supplier Lifecycle Operations.

4. Have a 360° view of Supplier spend and activity

Combine all your data - from sourcing to risk and performance - in an integrated dashboard.

• Track total supplier spend over time
• Monitor activity, open tasks, and SLA compliance
• View upcoming contract renewals or at-risk certifications
• Compare supplier performance across categories

This isn't just reporting. It's decision intelligence delivered through ServiceNow Supplier Lifecycle Operations.

5. Control maverick spending before it starts

With structured, transparent supplier processes, you minimise the temptation to work around them.

• Stakeholders know how to onboard a new supplier
• Suppliers have a great experience from the beginning
• Procurement is seen as a strategic partner, not a barrier
• Maverick spending decreases because there's no need for workarounds

How to start your modernisation journey with ServiceNow Supplier Lifecycle Operations

If your team is still managing suppliers through spreadsheets and email chains, it's time to upgrade. Start here:

- Assess your current supplier lifecycle

What are the most frequent bottlenecks? Onboarding? Capability assessment? Inquiries? Map it end-to-end.

- Quantify the impact

How much time is lost each week? How many suppliers are unmanaged? What are the potential risks?

- Identify use cases for digitisation

Don't try to do too much at once. Start with a high-friction area, like onboarding or risk assessment.

- Engage stakeholders early

Legal, finance, compliance, and category management all benefit from smarter, clearer workflows. Bring them into the design process.

Transform supplier management with Novabridge and ServiceNow

Supplier management doesn't have to be a complex and time-consuming process. You don't need a team just to track emails, update spreadsheets, and coordinate manual processes to onboard and manage suppliers.

With ServiceNow Supplier Lifecycle Operations implemented by Novabridge, supplier management becomes structured, proactive, and intelligent, helping your procurement department become a true strategic partner.

The next generation of supplier management goes beyond forms — it’s a smarter, more connected experience built for speed, transparency, and collaboration.

Ready to transform how your team manages suppliers? Contact Novabridge - a leading ServiceNow Elite partner in Australia and New Zealand, to learn how to build a unified workspace that works effectively for procurement, suppliers, and your entire business.