New project will improve university processes for purchasing scientific supplies
This fall, Finance and Business Services will launch an effort to simplify how departments purchase commonly used scientific and research supplies. This effort is in response to feedback provided by many units across the university.
The project, co-led by Procurement & Contract Services and Modernization, will seek to implement improved processes based on proven practices already in use at other leading public research universities.
By adapting these best practices, we aim to better support research activities at WSU by consolidating purchasing, simplifying ordering, and accelerating delivery and payment.
This initiative will begin by targeting basic and commonly used research supplies at WSU. Goals include:
- Securing better pricing through aggregated institutional spend
- Streamlining ordering via online tools
- Faster delivery and improved terms and conditions
- Simplified payment to suppliers
Throughout the project, WSU will engage limited consulting support to help negotiate pricing with suppliers and design the necessary Workday processes. Since these processes are new to WSU, this support will accelerate progress and help us build internal expertise, allowing us to expand the model thoughtfully and sustainably in the future.
Input from WSU staff and faculty subject matter experts will be critical to the project. Soon, we’ll begin a series of listening sessions to gather this valuable feedback from departments. At the same time, we’ll begin building the Workday processes to support online ordering and payments.
We’ll continue to provide updates regarding the project in the Workday Digest. Questions? Reach out at the Workday Service Desk.