‘Link-up Engage’ will make it quicker and easier to enter company information, as well as search and find data. In addition, the pre-qualification questionnaires and product codes have been cut-down to reduce time. The new system will also feature an expanded notification and alert system and a financial data section prompted by Equifax.
Annette Gevaert, Director of Rail and Transport for Achilles, said: “We have seen Government and Network Rail make great strides towards generating efficiencies in the rail sector. This is Achilles’ way of helping 3.500 suppliers and 115 buying organisations reduce time and effort spent on procurement activities.
“Both buyers and suppliers will benefit from the new global Achilles platform. Navigation will be more intuitive, with a clearer and friendlier user interface, and the global, cross-scheme platform will allow suppliers to expand their product offering to other industries and regions. In turn, buyers will be able to broaden their search for the right supplier.”
Further key aspects of Link-up Engage:
- Suppliers will have one central record for all Achilles communities, with common data shared across the platform
- Sections of questionnaire that still need to be completed, revised or updated, will be easier to see
- Reminders for date critical information such as insurances will go out before and after expiration
- Equifax prompts will simplify input of financial data
- Buyers will see a supplier’s full Equifax report
- Tiered pricing, with a lower threshold of entry for suppliers at £365 + VAT
- 80% of suppliers in the community will see a price reduction