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Whether purchasing over the phone or online, some companies are spending more money than others when buying the same exact items. Why? Answer: The method of payment. In this case, the money-saving choice for company purchases is the credit card, especially on the Web.

The Association of Financial Professionals' (AFP) June 2001 issue of "Managing Accounts Payable" explains that 60% of member business will turn to Web-based services for the credit card payment of all Accounts Payable within the next 18 months. A personal insight might help to explain this trend.

Not long ago, I took a great deal of pride in paying all of my bills in cash or check. However, I abandoned this practice a few years ago when my wife introduced me to the debit card. At first I thought it was a crazy idea, but as usual, my wife's insight was on the cutting edge. I thought about all the time and effort wasted for what I saw as a very normal activity.

I had to find the checkbook, drive to the bank (during bankers' hours), find a parking space, wind up standing in the slowest moving line, get my ID card out my wallet, and finally, wait for the teller's undivided attention after she spent 15 minutes chatting with the woman in front of me.

The recent 5th Annual Accounts Payable Operators Conference reports that today's purchasing and Accounts Payable professionals are beginning to realize that they are all standing in that same line at the bank.

Think of the dozen or so steps and the attendant costs, which go into processing a small to medium sized purchase. There's paperwork, miscellaneous forms, and clerks, administrators and managers reviewing everything just to initiate the Purchase Order. Then the reverse is true to pay for the Purchase.

It is reported by several Accountancy Associations that the calculated total overhead cost of generating a Purchase Order is $90.00 to $105.00. Furthermore, the Accounts Payable / Check cutting process ranges from $75.00 to 90.00.

In addition to our data-encrypted online purchasing capabilities, Inorganic Ventures absorbs all fees (ranging from 2-5%) involved in the use of your Corporate Credit Card. The card companies do the rest with their contribution of a thirty-day "float" period until payment is due. This combination gives the Accounts Payable additional cash flow and flexibility.