University implements new 49er Mart projects
Financial Services is always looking for ways to improve and simplify processes. Over the last two years, a collaborative team that included representatives from Financial Services, Information Technology Services, Imaging and Workflow and others has been working hard to implement several 49er Mart initiatives designed to enhance the user experience and decrease processing time by eliminating paper processes and adding electronic workflows.
49er Mart is the e-procurement system that allows UNC Charlotte faculty and staff to purchase goods and services online. Beginning July 1, 49er Mart users were encouraged to start using the new electronic check request (eCR) form and check out the Amazon Punch-out catalog.
“Campus users have been very eager for the Amazon 49er Mart Punch-out for some time,” said Elizabeth Palian, assistant director of financial system support. “Along with Purchasing, we have participated in discussions with Amazon and Jaggaer, the 49er Mart vendor, around the needs of higher education and our campus in particular over the last several years as they developed and made the punch-out purchasing option available.”
The University has established a single, master business account with Amazon. Instead of purchasing items directly from the normal Amazon website with a purchasing card, campus users are able to buy items through 49er Mart just like using other punch-out catalogs such as Staples and Dell Technologies. The University is encouraging campus users to review the registration FAQ listed on the Amazon Business FAQ sheet and reference the first-time user registration guide prior to shopping.
The second major initiative that went live on July 1 was the eCR form replacing the Direct Pay Request (DPR) paper form. “The eCR project has been evolving over time as well, as the initiative has been to transition paper or manual form processes to electronic workflow processes wherever there were opportunities to add value for the users,” said Palian.
Employees can use the eCR form for payments to vendors who are not students or employees. To make non-payroll payments to employees and students, employees should use the Employee & Student Direct Pay Request (ESDPR) form. The original paper DPR will not be accepted beginning August 1.
A third initiative to enable a supplier portal that will allow suppliers to input their vendor information directly into 49er Mart, with no need to mail or fax forms, will launch later this year. More information and project updates will be shared on the Financial Services website.
Visit the Financial Services website for more information on the 49er Mart projects, including updates and tips, eCR instructions, Amazon Punch-out training materials, eCR and supplier portal training, upcoming forums and more.
Story: Caitlin Mauk