How to Use Coupa

Getting started with Coupa

After reading this guide, you’ll be able to set up your Coupa account and automate your procurement and payment processes efficiently. You’ll also learn how to access real-time analytics on your spending.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

1. Go to Coupa's website.
2. Click on the “Get Started” button in the top right corner.
3. Fill out the registration form with your details and company information.
4. Confirm your email address through the link sent to your inbox.
5. Log in to your new account and complete your company profile by clicking on “Profile” in the top menu, then “Company Information”.

Step 2: Your first purchase order

1. From the dashboard, click on “Procurement” in the left-hand menu.
2. Select “Create Purchase Order”.
3. Choose the supplier from the drop-down list or add a new supplier by clicking on “Add Supplier”.
4. Enter the items you wish to purchase, including quantity and price.
5. Click on “Submit” to send the purchase order for approval.

Step 3: Get better results

• To improve your invoice processing, navigate to “Invoices” in the left-hand menu and enable “Auto-Match” under settings. This allows Coupa to automatically match invoices to purchase orders, saving you time.
• Use the “Analytics” tab to create custom reports on your spending. You can filter by date, supplier, or category for deeper insights.
• Regularly review your “Spend Visibility” dashboard to identify trends and areas for cost savings.

Pro tip

Set up automated reminders for approvals by going to “Settings” > “Notifications”. This ensures that your team stays on top of pending approvals, speeding up the procurement process.

Common mistake to avoid

Many users forget to configure their spending limits for different departments. Make sure to set these limits in “Settings” > “Spend Control” to prevent overspending and ensure compliance with your company's budget.