ORLANDO A study conducted by Deloitte & Touche LLP for MasterCard International concluded that corporations are starting to consolidate their corporate card programs in one card systems, with a single product functioning as a purchasing card, fleet card, and travel and entertainment card, the companies reported.
The second annual One Card Best Practices study cited improved cost savings, better vendor relationships, and new efficiencies as companies reasons for using one-card programs. Seventy percent of the organizations surveyed from manufacturing, utilities, and other industries use a one-card program for 85% to 100% of their e-procurement transactions. Fifty-seven percent said they had implemented a one-card program in the last two years.
The study, conducted between October and December 2000, examined the purchasing practices of 28 organizations with revenues ranging from less than $500 million to more than $10 billion. Respondents top reasons for using one-card programs were to streamline administration of the purchasing process, reduce check-payment volume, add convenience for all users involved, and improve vendor relationships.
