Good procurement systems and data analytics are the cornerstones of modern procurement. Procurement systems enable efficiency and control over the purchasing process, while good data provides valuable business intelligence and actionable insights.
In the last year, under the oversight of the VGPB, the DGS team expanded its procurement analytics function and continued rolling out the Digital Marketplace and Supplier Hub.
Procurement spend data and analysis function
In 2023–24, the DGS team used its broad procurement dataset to expand its analytical dashboards to include new areas including SPC benefits. Dashboards were also developed to identify and manage SPC leakage and inform data-driven decisions. The dashboards enable more effective SPC category management by supporting category managers to identify patterns, trends, opportunities and gaps in service provision, and to monitor spend, benefits, compliance and performance.
Additional dashboards were also established to give departments a detailed breakdown of their direct spend with social benefit suppliers approved under the Social Procurement Framework (SPF). Departments can use the dashboards to extract data for their annual reports and for the Victorian Government SPF reporting.
Digital Marketplace and Supplier Hub
A key milestone was reached this year with DGS continuing the rollout of the Digital Marketplace and launching the Supplier Hub. The Digital Marketplace and Supplier Hub provide a central platform for government to buy from SPCs and for suppliers to register their details. Read the following case study for more on this initiative.
Case study: Digital transformation simplifies buying and supplying across government
Doing business with government is easier than ever with the Victorian Government’s Digital Marketplace. Launched in February 2023, this user-friendly online platform makes it easier for government to buy from SPCs and registers.
Over the past year, more SPCs and registers have been added to the Digital Marketplace. It now includes nine information technology (IT) SPCs and registers, including eServices, the state’s largest technology register.
Buyers can initiate, manage and award requests for quotes, and access supplier information all in one place.
The sign-up process for suppliers is also much improved. Suppliers can apply to join the eServices register through a simple digital application with any questions handled quickly and easily through the platform's chat function and by the dedicated Supplier Hub and SPC support team.
The Supplier Hub was integrated into the Digital Marketplace in 2022–23, giving suppliers a centralised platform to register their business details for access by all government buyers. More than 1 900 suppliers have registered on the Supplier Hub in 2023–24. Supplier profiles include important information such as insurance and social procurement accreditation.
The Supplier Hub makes it easier for government buyers to identify businesses by capability and region, as well as certified social enterprises and Aboriginal-owned businesses. Over time, the Supplier Hub will remove the duplication for suppliers registering their business details with multiple government entities.
More SPCs and registers will be migrated onto the Digital Marketplace in 2024–25, making procurement even easier for buyers and suppliers.
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