Practical AI, Real Outcomes: Inside the Most Talked-About Session on Intake Management and Agentic AI
When the procurement world gathered in London for the World Procurement Congress 2025, one theme echoed across sessions, booths, and hallway huddles: AI is no longer a buzzword. It’s a blueprint.
Under the central theme of turning “use cases into use practices,” procurement leaders came ready to move past experimentation and into execution. From trailblazing enterprises to emerging market challengers, the appetite was clear: AI that delivers measurable transformation.
Zycus’ presence at the event struck this very chord. And when Heineken’s Chief Procurement Officer Hervé le Faou took the stage to share their real-world journey of AI-led transformation, the room didn’t just listen. It leaned in.
Heineken + Zycus: The Future of Intake Is Now
In one of the event’s most talked-about sessions, Hervé le Faou unveiled how Heineken is reinventing its intake management process using Zycus’ Agentic AI capabilities.
More than just automation, this was a showcase in orchestration—how intelligent agents are shaping user behavior, simplifying complexity, and aligning procurement closer to business intent. From intuitive user experiences to AI-driven decision support, Heineken’s model is a glimpse into the next frontier of guided buying.
Zycus VP of Sales Jochen Werner joined Hervé on stage to dig deeper into the implementation nuances, spotlighting both the opportunities and challenges of scaling AI in global environments.
Hervé’s post-event reflections on LinkedIn captured it perfectly: “From buzzword to business reality—AI is starting to make procurement smarter, simpler, and more strategic.”
Zycus Booth: Curiosity Turned Conversion
Attendees from across the globe—notably South Africa, Netherlands, and key EU markets—stopped by the Zycus booth with pointed questions and clear intent. The conversations reflected a shift in the room: procurement isn’t window shopping anymore. It’s actively scouting for solutions.
Recurring Discussion Themes:
- Catalog Management & Intake: Especially relevant for large enterprises phasing out legacy systems.
- Spend Analytics & Category Management: Critical for organizations in the midst of procurement transformation.
- Risk & Supplier Management: High interest from multi-billion-dollar enterprises seeking better visibility and control.
- GenAI for Procurement: A recurring request was for intuitive, “GenAI for dummies” style materials to educate internal teams.
- Autonomous Sourcing: Strong interest in Agentic AI for negotiation strategy—particularly from insurance and IT buyers.
Across the board, Zycus’ credibility, especially via impactful case studies like Delta, stood out. For many attendees, Heineken’s session wasn’t just educational—it was a trigger. A trigger to schedule demos, discuss pilot programs, and ask the right questions about readiness.
What’s Next: From Curiosity to Capability
The post-event momentum is clear. Zycus doesn’t just offer tools—it offers transformation pathways. As procurement leaders head back to their boardrooms and strategy decks, the question isn’t “Should we explore AI?” It’s “Where do we start?”
And thanks to the conversations sparked at WPC 2025, many already have their answer.
Start with Intake. Lead with Intelligence. Scale with Zycus.
Explore how Zycus’ Merlin Agentic Platform is helping enterprises like Heineken lead the AI revolution in procurement.
Set up a personalized demo today
Related Reads:
-
- Enhancing Spend Analysis and Cost Reduction with GenAI
- A Realistic Look at the Promises and Pitfalls of GenAI in Procurement
- Zycus’ Generative AI Platform: Generative AI for Transforming Every Bit of your Source-to-Pay
- Utilize the Power of Generative AI in Spend Management: A Comprehensive Guide
- Future-proofing Spend Analysis Management with Generative AI
- Centralized or Decentralized: Generative AI is the Key to Unlocking Best of Both Procurement Operating Models
