The state of Arizona’s new BuySpeed e-procurement system – dubbed ProcureAZ by the state – went live less than 100 days after the project was initiated with Austin-based Periscope Holdings, Inc. Phase One of the project provides the state with a single portal for vendor registration, solicitation management and contract ordering. It was successfully launched September 1, on time and within budget.
Periscope’s BuySpeed staff pre-loaded 1,500 vendor registrations into ProcureAZ prior to August 10. Since then, an additional 5,000 vendors registered using the system. On September 1, Arizona agencies began creating orders from 2,500 pre-existing state contracts that were imported into the system by Periscope. This phase is expected to dramatically improve operational efficiencies by reducing cycle times and curtailing “maverick”, or off-contract, spending allowing Arizona to better target savings through strategic supplier relationships.
“We want to thank the state of Arizona and our implementation partner, CGI, for a successful launch of the first phase of Arizona’s ProcureAZ solution,” says Brian Utley, CEO of Periscope Holdings.
“The state of Arizona recognizes the major accomplishments of Periscope and CGI with the project being on time and within budget, while delivering a quality e-procurement solution that clearly will advance procurement in the state of Arizona for years to come”, says Jean Clark, State Procurement Administrator.
The second phase, schedule to be completed in the spring of 2011, will integrate ProcureAZ with Arizona’s state financial system. Arizona end-users will be able to look up account codes and check budgets online as well as create encumbrances within the state financial system. Phase Two of ProcureAZ also includes rolling out additional BuySpeed functions already installed through Phase One.. When completed, Phase Two will further streamline Arizona’s procurement activities and reduce costs.
In May 2009, Periscope Holdings, Inc. won a competitive bid to implement the BuySpeed eProcurement system for a cost of $8.6M over 5 years. The resulting efficiencies from the implementation of BuySpeed are projected to generate significant savings to the state of up to 20% due to improved ability for strategic spend management through the system.
“In these economic times, state and local governments are under increased scrutiny as they spend taxpayer dollars,” says Periscope’s President and CEO, Brian Utley. “BuySpeed offers a solution that increases transparency, improves processes and saves money. I want to commend the state for taking on this endeavor. In these times we really need our governments to step up and implement solutions that will save taxpayers money. Jean and her staff at Arizona’s Department of Administration have always been forerunners in improving the way the state’s business is done.”