Project underway to implement an e-marketplace

Friday, 08 June 2018

During the financial year 2016/17, the University spent more than £100m across more than 9,000 third party suppliers, paid with purchase cards and close to 60,000 invoices. With University strategic objectives to manage ourselves more effectively and remain competitive with our HE peers, we need to improve the way we purchase goods and services. One of the planned improvements is to introduce an e-marketplace system.

What is an e-marketplace?

It is a system where people can select and pay for certain types of goods through an online catalogue – this will lead to significant savings for the University as a whole, whilst making it quick and easy for individuals and departments to buy the things they need. We do already have some elements of online buying in different parts of the University; we need to introduce a more consistent, coherent system.

The project team recognises that as an institution we have a diverse range of activities and purchasing needs. We will purchase a system that can meet the University’s agreed requirements within our budget.

We will start with specific areas of spend (lab supplies, catering supplies, IT hardware, office supplies and furniture) and will look at other areas of spend in the future.

Who is involved?

We are involving and including views from across the University, in a variety of ways:

• A Project Board is in place to provide overall governance.
• A project team will carry out the day-to-day activities of purchasing and implementing a suitable system.
• Ongoing conversations will take place with teams, departments and individuals from across the University.

Get in touch if you would like us to attend your department/school meeting - emarketplace@lists.reading.ac.uk

How and when will we purchase an e-marketplace system?

We will select an e-marketplace supplier before the summer break, using a fair, transparent and compliant procurement process. The areas of spending listed above will be introduced during the next academic year; teams and individuals who buy from each of the areas will receive communication and training about what will change and when.

Find out more by contacting emarketplace@lists.reading.ac.uk