Procurement

Tulane Automates Its Procurement Processes

• By Michael Hart
• 04/06/16

Tulane University in New Orleans has automated and streamlined its current procurement process by implementing two software programs.

The university partnered with SciQuest, a provider of cloud-based business automation programs for managing spending, suppliers, contracts, sourcing, inventory and accounts payable, otherwise known as "spend management," and chose to adopt its Spend Director and Accounts Payable Director programs.

Spend Director will automate what is typically a manual and labor-intensive procurement process and Accounts Payable Director will provide services designed to have an impact on the university's bottom line.

"We closely examined all aspects of our operating processes to identify ways the university could reduce budget gaps without impacting the educational standards we have set over the years, and our procurement process quickly stood out as an area that could be transformed," said Tulane Vice President for Finance and Controller Douglas Harrell. "It became clear that SciQuest would be able to efficiently address our needs and integrate with our existing systems."

Other features now available to Tulane finance representatives:

• Single sign-on support for the e-procurement mobile app;
• Quick quote request wizard designed to simplify the requisition process; and
• Updated reporting and "ToolTips" functionality.

"Tulane University faces many of the same challenges that businesses in other sectors are encountering, the need to streamline its procurement process," said SciQuest President and CEO Stephen Wiehe. "Procurement offers an opportunity for all organizations to wisely and effectively manage spend. With the implementation of our solutions, Tulane will be able to automate and streamline procurement immediately, which will lead to long-term savings."