OPEN is an electronic procurement system which mirrors existing school processes but can also be tailored to suit individual schools' needs. OPEN has been designed to support the work of schools' purchasers by improving access to suppliers, reducing process time and creating a secure environment to work within.

Buyers can search, compare and select goods and services from a wide range of suppliers nominated by schools and other public-sector bodies. The authoriser for the Financial Management System (FMS) retains final control on all orders going out as they will be submitted via the FMS. So if currently the bursar has this responsibility, it will remain that way. The Educational Procurement Centre (EPC) has been working with FMS providers to ensure future developments of FMS software are in line with OPEN.

For more information about EPC please visit www.dcsf.gov.uk/epc