eProcurement

With eGovernment it is also possible to purchase goods and services over the Internet. This is referred to as eProcurement. Businesses use it mainly for commercial purchasing. For example, governmental purchasing is beeing taken care of by the Bundesbeschaffung GmbH. This organization uses the eProcurement System and opened an eShop in January 2006. Catalogues from more than 300 suppliers are listed in a uniform system on the portal. Public authorities can order anything here from pencils to laboratory equipment and office furniture over the Internet.

The eProcurement system includes suppliers in the workflow process, which takes small and middle sized businesses into consideration. Businesses that do not have an electronic inventory system can import their product lists in simple Excel format into the eShop. They are notified by eMail when a product is ordered. The business then can confirm the order in the Web portal for suppliers.

Small businesses in particular gain valuable know-how about electronic business processes. Suppliers with electronic inventory systems can synchronize their data automatically with the eShop. This workflow process assures businesses that all orders are legitimate. Regional, small and middle-sized businesses are assisted by the regional filter. For example, a businessman from Tyrol can see in "his" eShop all products from local suppliers in his area. Postal codes are used as a filter criteria.