Fully hosted e-Procurement from OGCbuying.solutions

Purchase & Pay is a fully hosted and managed eProcurement service operated by OGCbuying.solutions, designed to help UK public sector organisations hit the 2005 e-Government targets. The service is built upon Belmin's EROS eProcurement system which is already processing in excess of £750 million per annum of public sector purchasing expenditure.

Purchase & Pay is the first time a Central Government Department has used open source software (LINUX) for this type of application. It is also a prime example of collaboration between the public and private sectors, bringing together Cable & Wireless as provider of the network infrastructure, IBM as the hardware provider and prime contractor for the e-Procurement elements delivered through Belmin Group Ltd.

Highest-level security

The system can be accessed primarily through the GSi or, alternatively, via the internet or dial up through a secure authentication process. This ensures the highest level of security, safeguarding both customers' and suppliers' commercially confidential information. Phase 1 has put in place the electronic ordering of goods and services from catalogues held on the system with the ability to integrate with a department's financial systems to provide management information. The commissioning of Purchase & Pay by OGCbuying.solutions is a considerable step forward in assisting the development of the Government agenda on electronic trading.

Provides measurable cost savings and improves efficiency

Purchase & Pay offers collaborative opportunities for the public sector, meaningful and measurable cost/time savings and added value by improving efficiency. Smaller departments and agencies can take advantage of a centrally procured and managed infrastructure, owned and managed by the public sector, to deliver e-commerce within their own organisation at considerably less cost than 'going it alone'.

Hugh Barrett, Chief Executive of OGCbuying.solutions, said: “Our decision to use open source software was based on its proven reliability, portability and lower licensing costs. Overall it represented best value for money in this application.”

David Smith, DWP Commercial Director, said of the system: “DWP are pleased to work with OGC on this Government e-trading system, which follows on from work started by the Department in 1997 to improve its e-enablement of the procurement function. The Department fully supports the wider Government aims to use modern electronic communication to modernise its business and sees this development as part of this wider commitment. We will continue to maintain the development of business efficiencies and are pleased to be a part of this OGC initiative.”

For further information, contact OGCbuying.solutions Customer Service Desk on 0870 268 2222 or e-mail: custcare@ogcbs.gsi.gov.uk

Key features

Purchase & Pay Case Study

Operated by OGCbuying.solutions Powered by Belmin's EROS e-Procurement engine, already processing in excess of £750 million per annum of public sector purchasing spend Built upon world classs technology from IBM

Purchase & Pay went live with its first customer, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on the 3 February 2003 and is already handling more than 80% of the Department’s stationery buying, replacing paper-based systems.   The Story: DWP had been a user of Belmin's EROS eProcurement system since 1998, for the procurement of printed forms and stationery products. The system had helped them to achieve significant savings, doing the same level of business as they had done before. For a case study on DWP's implementaion of EROS, please see here.