October 9, 2008
New eProcurement system goes live online Oct. 13
UW eProcurement, the University’s online system for ordering supplies and equipment, is about to implement a new system that will greatly enhance the user experience.
Giving the campus community the opportunity to provide feedback has resulted in the current improvements, which will go live the morning of Monday, Oct. 13. To make that happen, the eProcurement system will be offline from 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 10, until 8 a.m. Monday.
“We went live in 2003 and we’ve been on the same system for several years now,” said Laurie Hunt, associate director of ecommerce and eProcurement for Procurement Services. “But users have wanted a change, they wanted it to be easier — and our software provider has given us that.”
Hunt says the improved eProcurement system, running on an Ariba platform, is easier to use. It’s a lot more like ordering from Amazon.com. Updates include:
• An improved user interface, with customizable screens to fit different roles and work styles.
• Fewer steps during requisition creation.
• An improved search capability.
• New functions for setting up standing orders and orders for future use.
• A display of account codes and budgets on the summary screen.
• Side-by-side item comparison.
Why purchase supplies and equipment through eProcurement? “It’s easier and less expensive, and it allows everyone to order from their desks,” Hunt said.
Purchasing Services, in conjunction with eProcurement, works with major vendors to establish cost-effective contracts with suppliers such as Dell, Office Depot and Fisher Scientific. “When campus users order from eProcurement, they are paying the University-negotiated contract price,” Hunt said.
The eProcurement system is exclusively for purchases made on UW budget numbers. For more information, visit online at http://www.washington.edu/admin/stores/eprocurement/.
