How AI and Automation are Transforming Spend Management: Insights from the SpendSmart Summit – Gurugram 

As businesses navigate an increasingly complex financial landscape, the role of AI and automation in expense management, procurement optimization and financial control has never been more critical.  The Zaggle SpendSmart Summit in Gurugram brought together industry leaders, finance professionals and technology experts for an evening of deep discussions on financial agility and smart spend management.  

The Key Takeaways: AI and Automation as Game Changers 

The summit kicked off with an insightful keynote by Mr. Shivinder Sharma, CFO of Clove Dental, emphasizing the power of automation and AI in driving sustainable growth. With the right tools, businesses can move beyond traditional spend management approaches and unlock efficiencies that lead to long-term financial resilience. 

Here are some of the key themes discussed at the summit: 

1. AI-Driven Expense Management: Moving from Reactive to Proactive 

Finance teams have long struggled with manual expense tracking, delayed approvals and lack of real-time visibility. AI-powered expense management systems automate compliance checks, flag anomalies and provide predictive insights, allowing businesses to stay ahead of potential financial risks. 

2. Smart Procurement: Enhancing Decision-Making 

With AI-powered procurement solutions, companies can streamline vendor management, negotiate better contracts and eliminate inefficiencies in the purchase cycle. Automated approval workflows, intelligent analytics and real-time tracking ensure that procurement processes align with business goals, ultimately driving cost savings. 

3. The CFO’s Playbook: Driving Financial Agility Through Smart Spend Management 

Moderated by Himanshu Singh, SVP & Business Head – EMS & Solution Engineering, Zaggle, the panel discussion delved into the evolving role of CFOs in leveraging AI and automation for financial agility. The panelists – Jyoti Tandon (Ecom Express), Vikram Vasal (EBSCO Information Services), and Anil Suneja (Medtronic India) shared real-world insights on how digital transformation is reshaping corporate finance. 

Key insights from the discussion: 

• Predictive analytics for better budgeting: AI helps CFOs anticipate financial trends and make data-driven decisions. 

• Automated reconciliation and compliance: AI minimizes human errors and ensures regulatory adherence. 

• Real-time visibility and control: Automated spend tracking enhances financial governance and accountability. 

4. Digital Transformation: A Strategic Imperative 

Anjali Desai, VP & Business Head – Zaggle, further highlighted how embracing digital transformation is no longer optional but essential for businesses aiming for sustained success. AI-driven financial tools not only enhance efficiency but also empower finance teams to become strategic partners in business growth. 

The Road Ahead: Smart Spend Management with AI & Automation 

The Zaggle SpendSmart Summit reinforced that AI and automation are not just technological upgrades but strategic enablers of financial agility. From automated expense tracking and procurement optimization to real-time analytics, businesses that harness these innovations will gain a competitive edge in an ever-evolving economic landscape. 

As the industry continues to evolve, Zaggle remains committed to providing cutting-edge spend management solutions that help businesses achieve greater financial control and efficiency. 

Missed the first summit? Catch the next SpendSmart Summit happening in Mumbai on 25th February. For registration, email Anjali Desai at [email protected] 

Watch Shivinder Sharma, CFO – Clove Dental sharing his insights at the summit!