This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Government procurement website launched
05/01/2004
The high priority the Executive attaches to modernising
government was underlined today with the launch of a
new
website dedicated to the eProcurement Scotl@nd
service.
eProcurement Scotl@nd encourages a joined-up approach to
purchasing by government in Scotland. It brings local
government, the NHS and central government together to
deliver savings and efficiencies in procurement including
eliminating much of the traditional paper-chase.
Procurement expenditure in the Scottish public sector is
estimated at £5 billion per annum; industry benchmarks
suggest that savings of between one and five per cent can
be achieved by eProcurement.
The service is already being used by many public sector
organisations and will be rolled out further in the months
ahead.
Minister for Finance and Public Services Andy Kerr
said:
"One of my key priorities is to provide Scotland with
the public services required to meet the challenges of the
21st Century. I have a personal commitment to achieving
public sector excellence, focused on achieving the best
value for government, for business and the Scottish people
who rely upon us for services.
"I believe that the importance of the eProcurement
Scotl@nd programme is that in adopting a common platform
and taking a common approach, it is bringing local
government, the NHS and central government in Scotland
together. In so doing it is opening up opportunities to
bring savings and efficiencies for both buyers and
suppliers
"eProcurement Scotl@nd brings real joined-up government
and that is why it has my support".
Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
"Taxpayers and patients in Scotland want to see real
improvements in
services. To achieve this we need to look closely
not only at the visible
areas of the Health Service but also at 'behind the
scenes' management and administration.
"One of the key areas we are looking at is the NHS
Scotland supply chain which all in the health service
believe could operate in a more effective and integrated
way. This will bring both its own benefits and also help
achieve improvements in front line patient care.
"The eProcurement Scotl@nd service is the foundation on
which we are building our Best Procurement Practice
implementation programme and it is particularly welcome
that this initiative allows the NHS to develop and
implement best practice in collaboration with local and
central government colleagues.
"This site is an excellent first port of call to find
out what is happening in the programme and what it is
achieving"
The Chief Executive of West Lothian Council, Alex
Linkston, said:
"eProcurement Scotl@nd is transforming the way in which
West Lothian Council orders its goods, services and works
requirements. One of the main benefits of implementing the
service is the increased management information that allows
us to make more informed decisions on our future
procurement strategy. Our suppliers are also benefiting
from the introduction of eProcurement as is demonstrated by
the unsolicited discounts that the council has been
offered".
Tom Scholes, Chief Executive of Renfrewshire Council
added:
"As a Chief Executive I am delighted that the Executive
has recognised the contribution which local authorities can
make in taking this programme forward. By working
collectively for the benefit of all rather than
individually we believe that we can deliver benefits to
business, to the taxpayers and to our organisations. We in
Renfrewshire are looking forward to playing our part in
this national initiative".
Contract to deliver the eProcurement Scotl@nd service
was awarded to Cap Gemini Ernst and Young in November 2001
[news release 0930 23/11/01]. The first transaction placed
through the system was by the First Minister, Jack
McConnell, from Portree Primary School 25 March 2002.
The service is currently live in The Highland Council,
West Lothian Council, East Lothian Council, NHS Highland,
NHS Tayside, The Scottish Ambulance Service, Scottish Water
and the Scottish Executive (including several NDPBs and
Executive Agencies). It will shortly be live in
Renfrewshire Council and the Common Services Agency of the
NHS and further implementation throughout the NHS in
Scotland will commence early in 2004.
The 300 plus suppliers connected to the service range
from multinationals to small Scottish businesses.