# Internet and purchasing efficiencies for the voluntary sector

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2000/11/08/internet-and-purchasing-efficiencies-voluntary-sector/
- Published: 2000-11-08T00:00:00+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

A seminar yesterday by NCVO and BuyingTeam.com covered some of the issues affecting
the non-profit sector in terms of Web-based purchasing. With an introduction by 
Brian Rigby, Chief Executive of the Office of Government Commerce, the seminar featured
a case study by Jacqui Williamson, Business Services Manager at Imperial Cancer 
Research Fund.
A seminar yesterday by NCVO and BuyingTeam.com covered some of the
issues affecting the non-profit sector in terms of Web-based purchasing. With an
introduction by Brian Rigby, Chief Executive of the Office of Government Commerce,
the seminar featured a case study by Jacqui Williamson, Business Services Manager
at Imperial Cancer Research Fund.

ICRF’s project went live on 6th November so it was of course too early to assess,
but they were confident that it would lead to savings of £30,000 a year on staff
alone. Also the new system promised same-day ordering, whereas currently the time
from originator through authorisation to receipt of order by supplier is three days.
ICRF hoped the system would help them take 60,000 “pieces of paper per annum out
of the equation.”

The speakers and delegates agreed that e-procurement is definitely “on its way” 
and that the opportunities are significant. However, there was a concensus that 
many of the problems involved were related to people and cultural issues, not just
IT.

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