02.08.12
Met Police signs up to online procurement hub
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has become the latest force to join the online National Police Procurement Hub (NPPH), a system being rolled out by the National Police Improvement Agency (NPIA).
The Hub provides access to a range of goods and services, including IT, stationery, body armour and vehicles. Currently 12 other forces are using the system, and all 43 forces in England and Wales are planning to implement the NPPH.
NPPH, created by Procserve, is estimated to save the police £69m over the next six years. Savings can be achieved through collaborative working, reducing the cost of purchasing through bulk, better management of suppliers and more efficient online processes.
The system is part of the Information Systems Improvement Strategy (ISIS), which seeks to use IT to improve efficiency throughout the police service.
Ian Currie, head of commercial at the NPIA, said: “It’s great to see more and more forces using this hugely beneficial service. The police service is committed to delivering significant savings from better procurement.
“Therefore, it is absolutely vital that those charged with buying goods and services have fast and direct access to this simple online purchasing system to access best value products and services.”
Lee Tribe, director of procurement for MPS, added: “The MPS have delivered a remarkable achievement in going live with the Hub in five months from a standing start.
“The benefits for our suppliers in automating the ordering process will enable them to avoid re-keying MPS orders into their sales systems and speed up the end to end process. Users within MPS have access to a greater variety of products and services and faster delivery times.”
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]
Image c. British Transport Police