Learning Resources

Welcome to the purchasing learning resources page. Below are some helpful resources to make purchasing for the university easier and more efficient.

Winter Night

Helpful Resources	Description
Banner 9 Keyboard Shortcuts	This document shows key strokes that help with navigating banner more quickly.
Banner Screens	This page shows helpful banner screens for navigating purchasing.
Definition of Goods and Services	This form helps to describe the difference between goods and services.
Frequent Requisition Questions	This page has frequent questions and answers about requisitions.
FY22 Year End Town Hall Session Recording	This video explains the important dates relating to the fiscal year end.
Process Flow Summary Page	This page helps to describe the purchasing requirements in a simple one-page form.
Purchasing Townhall 2021	This is the video from our Purchasing Townhall in 2021. This video goes through steps in the purchasing process, and it includes some helpful tips.
Requisition Training Video	This video will walk you through the steps of writing a requisition.
Requisition Training	Review of Purchasing functions and policy implications.

Cost Savings

Budgets are tight, but we are here to help! Here are some strategies that can help you save your department money:

Compare prices with 3 suppliers even when not required by policy.
Purchase in bulk to take advantage of volume pricing.
Use your Amazon Business Prime account for free shipping on amazon fulfilled orders and special discounts.
Take advantage of Request for Proposals (RFP) and Request for Quotes (RFQ).
Use Group Purchasing Organizations.

Group Purchasing Organizations (GPO) help organizations combine spend to negotiate competitive pricing.

Group Purchasing Organization	Contract Categories
E&I	Athletics & Recreation, Construction, Facilities, Food Services, Interiors, Office Equipment & Supplies, Sciences/Research, Services, Technology, Travel and Transportation Services.
HPS	Consulting, Dietary, Housekeeping, Laboratory, Maintenance, Medical/Surgical, Office, Pharmacy, Staffing, Therapy Services.
MiDeal	Banking and Insurance, Clothing, Communications, Cybersecurity Services & Software, Equipment Contracts, Facilities, Fuel, Healthcare, Vision, Dental and Pharmacy Benefits, IT Products and Services, Laboratory Supplies, Marketing and Advertising, Medical Supplies – Services, Office, Printing, Public Safety, Software, Vehicles/Tires/Parts.
Midwestern Higher Education Compact	Academic, Student Health, Property Insurance, Technology.
Omnia Partners	Business & Education Solutions, Facilities, Food, Furniture, Information Technology, Parks & Recreation, Public Safety, Fleet, Medical.
Sourcewell	Administrative Services, Construction Contracting, Construction Equipment, Facilities (MRO), Fleet & Related, Food, Grounds & Ag, Health & Sciences, Insurance Solutions, Office & Technology, Parks, Recreation & Athletics, Public Safety, Public Works, Roads & Airports.