# A procurement agent buying from suppliers

A US manufacturer that lets an AI agent reorder parts from approved suppliers.

**Illustrative scenario.** A fictional type of business, not a customer. No results are claimed.

Cohorts: Mm + Fi

Video (36 s, illustrative): [MP4](/assets/use-cases/procurement-agent.mp4) · captions: [WebVTT](/assets/use-cases/procurement-agent.vtt) · step list for software: [flow.json](/assets/use-cases/procurement-agent.flow.json)

## The problem

The agent can find the best price, but finance won't hand it a corporate card. Every purchase needs a limit, a supplier list and a trail an auditor can follow.

## Value anatomy

1. **Transaction**: The agent proposes an order. Two checks run before it reaches the network: policy first (is it inside the mandate: supplier, amount, category?), then risk (does this payment look like this agent?). Both results are lines on the record.
2. **Rails**: An approved order is paid with a single-use card credential, or by bank transfer for suppliers that invoice.
3. **Record**: Each purchase is tied to the agent, the person it acts for and the mandate. Refunds and disputes go to the exception queue.

## What it uses

- **Agent mandates**: Bind an agent to a principal, a spend limit and a scope.
- **Agent card credentials**: Single-use or limited card credentials for agent purchases.
- **Payment intent preview**: Check a request against the mandate before it runs.
- **Exception queue**: Disputes, refunds and failed payouts in one list, each with its rule.
- **Audit log**: Who changed what, when, and what it touched.

Request access: sales@insimbi.net

_insimbi is in early access with design partners._