Telkom has introduced an electronic tender management system, which it said will herald big changes in its procurement processes.
All tender processes will be moved onto an electronic portal.
“To streamline our business, we have to find better ways of working. Moving away from cumbersome paper-based processes towards increased business automation will help improve our efficiency, particularly in the procurement environment,” said Jacqui O’Sullian, Telkom’s managing executive for group communication.
The development of the e-portal will affect all new tender submissions and should result in a better experience for suppliers, Telkom said.
“The new electronic tender portal will be more convenient for both suppliers and our Telkom people and we are encouraging all suppliers to self-register online,” said O’Sullivan.
The online system will allow for Telkom to publish all tenders electronically so the existing tender office in Pretoria has been closed. Suppliers will be required to submit bids electronically and Telkom will no longer accept paper bids, she said.
“The new system will ensure a more efficient end-to-end sourcing process that will lower costs for all those involved and will result in improved response times from Telkom. Turnaround time for tenders will be reduced from between three and nine months currently to approximately two months.”
Telkom said the benefits of the new system include decreased overall turnaround times for evaluation and notification of tender outcomes and one single and electronic platform with access to tender opportunities. Interested parties will be able to submit bids online, eliminating the need to print and submit cumbersome paper copies. — © 2015 NewsCentral Media