Capitalizing on technology and green efforts for procurement

April 30, 2009 | UToday
By Kim Goodin



As of May 1, UT’s Purchasing Services Department and requisitioners of goods and services will handle less paper.

According to Jennifer Pastorek, director of purchasing services, “Lawson is UT’s enterprise resource planning system that provides functionality for the requisitioning, inventory control, purchasing, receiving, asset management and accounts payable activities. To maximize the full functionality of the system, capture UT spending data, and standardize processes between all campuses, we’re requiring that all users and approvers of goods and services use the Lawson e-requisition or requisition self-service system as of Friday, May 1.”

Ongoing training classes are offered through the Purchasing Services Department. To schedule a date and time for training, visit the department’s Web site at http://www.utoledo.edu/depts/purchasing/Lawson.html.

Key benefits to an electronic system include greater efficiency of the procurement process, reduction in the order cycle time from requisition entry to receipt of goods and services, elimination of “lost” paperwork, and support of green initiatives by reducing paper use.

University procurement cards (p-cards) should be used for daily transactions. Departments that do not utilize p-cards will use the Lawson e-requisition system. E-requisitions are required for goods and services that cost $5,000 or more.

According to Pastorek, there are two scenarios that will require the use of paper requisition forms after May 1:

• Emergent need if the Lawson system is unavailable; and

• Split distribution of purchased goods or services among two or more departments.

Electronic requisition forms are available on the purchasing services Web site listed above.

For additional information, contact Pastorek at 419.530.8707 or Patty Owsley, analyst in purchasing services, at 419.530.8701.

Click to access the login or register cheese