carrot carrot carrot Change Centers x cognizanti collaborators create-folder Data Science Decisive Infrastructure download download edit Email exit Facebook files folders future-of-work global sourcing industry info infographic linkedin location Mass Empowerment Mobile First our-latest-thinking pdf question-mark icon_rss save-article search-article search-folders settings icon_share smart-search Smart Sourcing icon_star Twitter Value Webs Virtual Capital workplace Artboard 1

Please visit the COVID-19 response page for resources and advice on managing through the crisis today and beyond.


Cognizant’s Procure-to-Pay (P2P) process is reflected in the suite of web-based applications that support the organization’s procurements and payments.

The new Cognizant Automated Procure-to-Pay Solution (CAPPS) is the company's primary buying method. Most product and service requirements are satisfied by using this system of issuing a purchase order.

Purchase orders can only be created for and issued to suppliers who have been added to the supplier database by Cognizant’s Global Procurement team.

The contracts or pricing agreements is a secondary buying method, which provides the company with the least total cost for most products and services that are commonly ordered from Cognizant’s external preferred suppliers. The Cognizant Global Procurement team is the only department authorized to negotiate and implement company-wide discount pricing agreements.

Payment terms are established within the CAPPS system for each supplier. Supplier purchase order invoices that the Accounts Payable department processed will reflect those terms. The system calculates the payment due date based on the date of which the physical invoice is received at the Accounts Payable department. Accounts Payable does not designate a payment date if the invoice matches the Purchase Order (PO), because the process is entirely system driven. For example, the Accounts Payable department receives a supplier invoice on July 9, 2014. The invoice is dated July 1, 2014. Accounts Payable enters the CAPPS or Catalyst system on July 10, 2014. If the payment terms are "Net 30," the system will automatically calculate a payment due date as August 8, 2014.

All supplier invoices need to be sent electronically for suppliers enabled with Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). For both EDI-enabled and Non-EDI-enabled suppliers, physical invoices need to be sent to the Accounts Payable department. All invoices are then image-enabled and are automatically matched to the PO. Invoices are available in the CAPPS or Catalyst system to the requisitioner and the procurement buyer. Suppliers can view their status and process or reconcile disputes, if any.

If the invoice cannot be matched to the PO and processed, the requisitioner or purchaser receives an email from the Global AP Help Desk. The requisitioner or purchaser is able to view the invoice, by logging on to the CAPPS or Catalyst system and instructing Accounts Payable or by posting an action regarding the invoice. A separate workflow has been designed for processing such unmatched or disputed invoices. The Global AP Help Desk enables invoice processing, by using a workflow action to route and queue the invoice for processing.

P2P process flow chart

An effective and efficient business process requires a great deal of coordination between Purchase Requestors, Procurement Team, Suppliers and Accounts Payable.

Policies & Guidelines

The purchase of and payment for equipment, supplies and services from external suppliers must be conducted in accordance with established Cognizant Purchase policies. The associates involved in ordering products and services from external suppliers via the CAPPS purchasing system must be familiar with all policies related to purchasing and payables.

Learn more

Cognizant Purchasing System

An official Purchase Order generated from the COGNIZANT AUTOMATED PROCURE‑TO‑PAY SOLUTION (CAPPS) is Cognizant’s primary buying method. Most product and service requirements are to be satisfied using a Cognizant purchase order. Purchase orders can only be created and issued to those suppliers that have been added to the supplier database by the Global Procurement Team.

Learn more

Cognizant Payment System

Cognizant supplier payment terms are established by Cognizant’s Global Procurement team when adding a new supplier to the Cognizant Approved Supplier Database. The Payment Terms in the database dictate when payments to suppliers will be made. Generally, Cognizant employs a "Net 90" payment term, meaning that the payment will be issued 90 days from the date that the suppliers invoice is received at the Accounts Payable address. Purchase orders sent to the supplier reflect these terms and conditions and they apply to all invoices received by Cognizant. Payment terms other than "Net 90" can only be negotiated by the Global Procurement team.

Learn more

Supplier Information Portal

This portal provides information for all suppliers that are conducting business with Cognizant via the Ariba Network. Cognizant will use the Ariba Network to exchange business documents including purchase orders, invoices, purchase order confirmations and advance-shipment notices & receive and host Supplier Catalogs. Additional information regarding this project and the reason Cognizant has decided to start this effort is included in the Notification letter released by Cognizant earlier this year.

Learn more
Industries
Services
Consulting
Latest Thinking
About Cognizant
Glossary
Information for Suppliers