ProcServe Working with NHS Wales to Improve Contract Compliance and Transform Procurement Practices

2nd AUGUST 2010, LONDON, UK - ProcServe, a leading provider of electronic procurement and collaborative trading solutions, today announced that the National Health Service in Wales has taken the pioneering decision to roll-out the xchangewales eTrading across the service in Wales. The first of several NHS Health Boards in Wales is now live using xchangewales eTrading. Cardiff and Vale University Local Health Board will be followed by Betsi Cadwaladr and Welsh Ambulance. The first electronic transaction was generated on 28th June 2010.

The Welsh Assembly Government, in partnership with ProcServe, is changing the way procurement is carried out in Wales. xchangewales eTrading is an online service that allows buyers to manage catalogue content and order goods and services through a wide range of approved framework and privately held electronic catalogues. The xchangewales hub solution is available to all Public Sector bodies including local and central government agencies as well as the NHS and schools across Wales.

The programme has already received widespread commitment from a number of Public Sector bodies including Caerphilly County Council, Cardiff County Council, City & County of Swansea, Vale of Glamorgan Council, Gwalia Housing Association, the Welsh Assembly Government and schools. By having the NHS Wales on board, the xchangewales eProcurement programme will reach every corner of the Welsh Public Sector and become the all-Wales system it was originally envisaged to be. Over 50% of Public Sector spend can now be captured through the xchangewales programme.

xchangewales eTrading, delivered by ProcServe and based on the Zanzibar service for UK Public Sector organisations, will benefit the Welsh NHS by releasing significant savings for reinvestment and enabling the Health Boards to collaborate and make more informed procurement decisions.

The first phase of the roll-out to NHS Wales will deliver a configured system that seamlessly integrates with the NHS's existing Oracle platform. It is now live with Cardiff and Vale University Local Health Board and they are receiving electronic Purchase Orders, Invoices and Credit Notes. This is enabling the Health Board to experience an end-to-end paperless procurement workflow. Purchase Orders will be generated electronically and NHS suppliers will be able to flip this information into an electronically generated invoice. Betsi Cadwaladr and Welsh Ambulance Service are next to go-live.

"Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is delighted to have completed the pilot successfully on behalf of NHS Wales; and their knowledge and expertise over the last 10 years will further enhance and develop the xchangewales service. NHS Wales recognises the need more than ever for ‘technology to take the strain' in delivering greater efficiencies and innovation through collaboration, best practice and more sourcing of goods and services nationally across the Public Sector in Wales," commented Larry Petterson of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

Veera Johnson, CEO of ProcServe said "By joining xchangewales, NHS Wales becomes part of a ready-made trading network connecting them to all of the government framework agreements, including access to NHS Supply Chain and Welsh Health Supplies all pre-loaded in addition to accessing locally sourced suppliers. The solution will deliver significant improvements throughout the NHS and provide real-time management information enabling the Trusts to make better procurement and sourcing decisions."

Jane Hutt, Minister for Budget & Business is heralding the programme's potential for transforming Wales saying: "This will improve services and how they are delivered across NHS Wales. This project can make a real difference and make the Public Sector more joined up across Wales." Mike Melville, xchangewales Programme Manager, concurred: "We firmly believe that the use of xchangewales eTrading will create efficiencies for both the Public Sector buyer community and their suppliers. Access to collaborative procurement arrangements and best value for money goods and services will support the delivery of benefits across the Welsh Public Sector; whilst suppliers have greater access to their customers."

Media Contact:
Cora Byrne, ProcServe
T: +44(0)20 7881 3445
E: cora.byrne@procserve.com

Notes to Editors:

About xchangewales
xchangewales is an award winning breaking programme that aims to deliver the use of electronic procurement products and services across to all Public Sector organisations in Wales, enabling them to source, tender, evaluate, order and pay for goods and services at a click of a button. The electronic tools and web-based services help to improve efficiency, increase productivity and lower the cost of doing business. For more information, please visit www.xchangewales.co.uk.

About ProcServe
ProcServe provides fast, flexible and secure electronic marketplaces and trading connectivity solutions. ProcServe's hosted, custom-branded solutions provide customers with the unique ability to leverage a software-as-a-service solution and maintain their own uniquely branded and configured marketplace. Customers enjoy a faster solution set up, lower cost of maintenance, and a secure environment. ProcServe delivers Zanzibar, OPEN and xchangewales on behalf of the UK Public Sector. For more information, please visit www.procserve.com.