These problems consistently lead to a vicious circle in which suppliers are unable to cleary demonstrate the benefits of their proposals, and customers are frustrated in their goals of obtaining the information services they need. Poor requirement elicitation, communications and decision making inevitably result in an inadequate information. 

This situation can, and must, change. Many modern organisations are committed to achieving informed procurement in which customer organisations aim to develop a partnership with their chosen suppliers. Other customers are aiming to achieve a step-wise improvement in their procurement programmes by utilising more flexible procurement programmes. 

The Information Services Procurement methodology is an approach to facilitate flexible procurement within the constraints of European legislation supporting the creation of the European Single Market. That is, ISPL provides the concepts and guidance needed to perform flexible, open and informed procurement of information services. 

An effectively working open European market will enlarge international buying and selling opportunities. It will facilitate open competition in the single market through improving the relationship between customer and supplier. 

Customers procuring information services and enhancements can use ISPL to define their requirements in an universally understood manner. Especially in international tender situations, this is a major achievement. 

Suppliers in the international marketplace will also benefit from ISPL. They will be able to better understand the needs of their customers and to produce better proposals which will help them supply optimal imformation services. 

ISPL makes it easier for customers to evaluate the tenders, therefore helping to obtain value for money.