Virtual Cards Transform Procurement: 90% Adoption Rate

Virtual payment cards are experiencing rapid adoption, with fresh research highlighting that businesses across the globe are seeking greater agility and control in supplier payments.

Procurement teams are looking to harness virtual cards in a bid to manage spend, improve efficiency and reduce risk, according to SAP Taulia, a global fintech leader in working capital solutions.

SAP Taulia stands at the forefront of financial technology, transforming how businesses optimise their working capital through intelligent, AI-driven solutions that enhance liquidity and strengthen supply chain operations.

Major corporations including Airbus, Red Bull, T-Mobile and Bridgestone rely on SAP Taulia's robust and innovative technology to optimise cash flow dynamics and unlock strategic growth opportunities, transforming working capital from an operational constraint into a competitive advantage that enables businesses to scale with confidence.

The latest study highlights that more than 90% of procurement leaders are using, planning to use or are interested in virtual cards—showcasing how digital payments are gaining momentum.

SAP Taulia spoke to 170 procurement leaders from 19 countries globally, representing businesses with revenue ranging from $1 billion to $10 billion.

Almost nine in ten (87%) of those who are using or planning to use virtual cards intend to allocate more than 10% of their company's overall spend to them in the next two years.

Across the EMEA region, 85% of respondents say they'll assign over a quarter of spend to virtual cards, whilst 54% in the Americas plan to spend the same.

The research reveals notable regional differences in virtual card implementation strategies. European businesses appear to be moving more aggressively towards digital payment transformation compared to their American counterparts, with EMEA companies showing stronger commitment to allocating significant portions of their expenditure through virtual card solutions.

Tackling procurement's pain points

Virtual cards have the potential to help procurement teams tackle a number of persistent pain points, including the onboarding of new suppliers.

More than three-quarters (78%) of respondents told SAP Taulia that it takes more than a month to authorise a new supplier, whilst two in five said the process exceeds three months. Such lengthy onboarding periods create operational bottlenecks and limit business agility.

Danielle Weinblatt, Chief Product Officer at SAP Taulia, says: "Procurement leaders are under increasing pressure to move faster, reduce friction and make better use of working capital. Virtual cards are emerging as a practical, scalable solution to help achieve that."

When it comes to onboarding, the biggest obstacle is the issue of managing risk and compliance (61%), closely followed by gathering supplier information (58%). As such, 41% of procurement leaders say they are extremely likely to use virtual cards for one-time supplier payments.

The widespread adoption reflects broader digital transformation trends within corporate finance and procurement functions, where automation and digital solutions increasingly replace traditional manual processes.

"What we're seeing in this research reflects the conversations we're having with customers every day – there's a real desire to simplify processes, particularly when it comes to one-time supplier payments and onboarding," adds Weinblatt.

The research suggests virtual cards are transitioning from emerging technology to mainstream procurement tool. With over 90% of procurement leaders showing active interest or implementation plans, virtual cards appear poised to become standard practice across global businesses.

This momentum behind virtual card adoption suggests that procurement departments recognising these benefits early may gain significant competitive advantages in supplier management efficiency and financial control.

The technology represents a practical solution for organisations seeking to optimise working capital whilst reducing operational friction in supplier relationships.