Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for procuring items using a central computer system in a distributed network of computer systems. In one general aspect, the invention provides for receiving, at a central computer system, a first purchase request for a first item to be procured. The first purchase request is received from a first computer system in a network of computer systems and includes a first item category identifier that describes the first item. A second computer system in the network is selected based on the first item category identifier so that a purchase document may be created in the second computer system. The creation of the purchase document in the second computer system is controlled by the central computer system.