OPEN News

A new look has arrived

The updated look has been designed to make using the marketplace easier and quicker.

Changes include:

• a cleaner layout making it easier to navigate and find information
• an improved My Transaction area with easy access to more useful information
• a better organised My Supplier area with supplier contact details
• an updated menu to choose current and new functions/tools

Events

The DCSF Educational Procurement Centre will be attending the following events:

• BETT Show: 9-12 January 2008
• The Education Show: 28 February-1 March 2008

Pathfinders

The pilot phase of OPEN is now underway with pathfinders covering more than 1,150 schools across England. The pathfinders are:

• A group of Devon schools;
• East Sussex County Council;
• e-Spi, a north west based consortium, hosted by Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council; and
• The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Darron Cox, DCSF’s Deputy Commercial Director, says ‘Phase 1 of the Pathfinder is to rigorously test the system for reliability, appropriateness, ease of use, and integration with schools’ financial management systems. Phase 2 of the Pathfinder will work with schools to further develop the functionality available within the system. These Pathfinders are in the unique position to influence these enhancements. The system will then be rolled out in Spring 2008.’

Sue Hall at e-Spi, part of the AGMA (Association of Greater Manchester Authorities) group of schools involved, says; ‘OPEN reflects e-Spi’s vision to achieve a vibrant and robust school marketplace which supports the efficient and effective management of school resources. There is a clear expectation from Government, Ofsted and the Audit Commission for LAs to develop strategies to meet their statutory responsibility to encourage schools to become effective purchasers. e-Spi was established in February 2006 by eight forward thinking Local Authorities in the North West to support a number of government agendas and moving forward with the DCSF will further align those objectives.’

http://www.e-spi.co.uk/about.asp

Latest DCSF news

We have been demonstrating the OPEN system at events and conferences. For example, the Education Show at Birmingham’s NEC in March, the 3^rd Annual Education Conference (GovNet) in London in May, and BESA’s (British Educational Suppliers Association) summer meeting in June. Some of the questions raised during these sessions (and the answers) are featured in our newsletters – see Downloads page.

We will be demonstrating OPEN at future events, including the National Bursars’ Association in November.

Feedback

Some quotes we received about OPEN at the events we’ve run:

“We’re very interested in cost and time savings, it will save time flicking through catalogues which takes up too much time.”

“The find of the show.”

“OPEN gives the small primary the same buying power as a large secondary”.

For the latest news about schools procurement please go to: http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/epc