bestiller

Bestiller is a noun used in Norwegian and Danish texts to denote the person or organization that places an order for goods, services, or work. It is derived from the verb bestille, meaning to place an order. The bestiller is the party that defines needs, specifies requirements, and finances the purchase, while the supplier or contractor fulfills the order.

In public procurement, the bestiller is the contracting authority or client responsible for identifying needs, preparing tenders or statements of requirements, evaluating bids, selecting a supplier, and entering into a contract. The bestiller bears responsibility for budget, performance criteria, delivery terms, and post-purchase oversight. The relationship with the supplier is often formalized through a purchase agreement or contract, with the bestiller initiating the ordering process and managing contract performance.

In broader business practice, the term also appears in logistics and procurement contexts. The bestiller issues purchase orders in systems such as ERP and coordinates delivery dates, quantities, and payment terms. In everyday language, a person who orders a meal, tickets, or services can be referred to as the bestiller, although casual speech may use more common terms. The concept has cognates in other Scandinavian languages: in Danish it is bestiller, and in Swedish beställare.

See also: bestilling, offentlige anskaffelser, purchase order, contract management.