Online travel booking for civil servants, a purchasing network with high street retailers and an electronic contract management system are all to be showcased at the government's procurement exhibition later this month, it was announced on 14 June 2005. The Office of Government Commerce's (OGC) procurement conference and exhibition which takes place on 21 and 22 June is aimed to help public sector bodies achieve £7bn in efficiency savings from improved purchasing practices. The conference is held alongside the GC2005expo event which includes speakers such as head of e-government Ian Watmore, NHS IT director general Richard Granger and Steve Lamey, CIO of HM Revenue and Customs.
The procurement event will promote a range of new e-services designed for use across the public sector. Three initiatives in particular are to be highlighted.
- a travel services scheme known as 'on track' will be launched early next year. It will offer e-booking for a range of services including car hire, air and rail transport. It aims to result in savings of 10% by aggregating public sector expenditure on travel;
- an e-sourcing tool is now available encompassing all areas of contract management. It aims to help public bodies buy goods and services over the internet;
- along with the Department for Work and Pensions, the OGC has set up a series of framework agreements with high street retailers to provide quicker access to products and services. It also offers an audit trail.
Hugh Barrett chief executive of OGCbuying.solutions said: "Public sector purchasers are facing real challenges today. They need to continue to deliver better services but do so more efficiently. That's why we have chosen to focus on these issues at our annual event."
Quelle: KableNET, 14.06.2005
