Abstract: A method of managing spending is provided. The method includes collecting procurement data from a plurality of data sources which may have associated source-specific product catalogs. The method further includes storing a global catalog specifying mapping relationships between source-specific product attributes specified by the source-specific product catalogs and generic attributes specified by the global catalog. The method further includes mapping the source-specific attributes associated with particular products to corresponding generic attributes based on the mapping relationships. The method further includes analyzing a portion of the collected procurement data, including identifying information regarding products associated with the particular procurement events based on the generic attributes associated with the products. The method further includes automatically generating a visual output based on the analysis of the collected procurement data.

Abstract: A method of managing compliance with strategic business rules is provided. The method includes storing procurement data concerning historical procurement events in a procurement data warehouse. The method further includes storing one or more business compliance rules specifying conditions for a particular procurement event to be compliant. The method further includes automatically analyzing a portion of the procurement data related to the particular procurement event to determine whether or not the particular procurement event is compliant according to the one or more business compliance rules. The method further includes automatically generating a visual output based on whether or not the particular procurement event is determined compliant.