Supplier e-Enablement
What is supplier e-enablement?
APUC's supplier e-enablement team 'adopts' suppliers onto the
eProcurement Scotl@nd (ePS) service. Once enabled, suppliers have access to trade with all the public sector organisations who have implemented ePS. For more information, download the
Supplier Briefing PowerPoint presentation (1001 kb).
Tip: Suppliers should download, complete and save the
Supplier Information Capture Form (36 kb). This may be requested by APUC more than once as details pertaining to electronic trade may differ slighlty between individual universities and colleges.
What are the benefits?
Suppliers can potentially enjoy many advantages by being a part of the ePS service, including:
- Increased sales;
- Increased margins;
- Electronic orders; and
- Faster payments.
And suppliers join free of charge.
Content options
This is a simple spreadsheet, including pricing, UNSPSC codes, images and so on. A standard template for creating a supplier catalogue is available. Note that catalogue content should be regularly maintained by suppliers.
Electronic catalogues are well-suited to products with standard specifications and fixed pricing.
e-Catalogues can be loaded onto the ePS service in two ways: either the content is visible only to a specific insititution or it can be accessed by all institutions that have implemented ePS.
Punch out
Where a supplier has an interactive catalogue operating on its website, buyers can access it from the ePS service. The means the buyer 'punches out' of the ePS service into the supplier's website to create a shopping basket and then brings the details back into ePS service to complete the transaction.
Punch out is preferable where:
- The catalogue is large.
- Products have configurable specifications, such as computers or furniture.
- Products have frequent price changes.
Non-catalogue ordering
Although not strictly part of e-procurement, if the above electronic options are not suitable, a buyer can make a non-catalogue order using free text.
Connectivity
Orders can be placed using fax or email, or, for suppliers with well established electronic trading processes, orders can be transmitted directly into the back office system through cXML (a computer language enabling two-way communication of electronic commerce details).
e-Catalogues and punch out are the most effective means of electronic trade.