Bentley > Case Studies > Cornell University's Digital Transformation with Bentley Procurement Software

Cornell University's Digital Transformation with Bentley Procurement Software

Technology Category

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Database Management & Storage
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) - Cloud Databases

Applicable Industries

Cement

Applicable Functions

Procurement

Use Cases

Smart Campus
Time Sensitive Networking

Services

System Integration

About The Customer

Cornell University is among the country’s oldest and most elite universities. Founded in 1865, this Ivy League school consistently ranks in the top 15 nationally for its academic reputation. It has approximately 21,904 students, 1,648 professors, and has produced 54 Nobel laureates. The university has been a leader among its peers by implementing e-procurement bidding systems in 2004 and 2011. However, these systems were not user-friendly and required too many steps for common tasks, leading to the need for a more efficient software solution.

The Challenge

Cornell University, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States, was facing challenges with its e-procurement bidding systems. The software products they had implemented in 2004 and 2011, while an improvement over manual processes, were not user-friendly and required too many steps for common tasks. This led to difficulties for vendors in submitting bids, often necessitating assistance from procurement staff. The university was in need of a more efficient software that could accommodate its unique business needs. They were looking for a system that was easy for suppliers to use, supported the sealed bidding process, and provided other functions such as supplier prequalification and approval.

The Solution

After a thorough evaluation of e-procurement options, Cornell University chose Bentley procurement software as the best fit for its needs. The software was tested by staff members and selected vendors, who found it user-friendly and efficient. Key features of the new system, such as online bid submissions, allowed the university to reduce administrative time in the procurement process. The software's supplier management portal, accessible via a university website link, provided online supplier registration, posting of solicitations, and allowed online bid submission, eliminating paper and postal costs from the sourcing process. The software also allowed Cornell to build its own database of highly qualified suppliers, ensuring up-to-date, accurate vendor information. The Bentley procurement software platform also provided oversight into the sourcing process, logging transactions, enforcing deadlines, and sealing bids to prevent premature disclosure of information.

Operational Impact

The implementation of Bentley procurement software has transformed Cornell University's procurement process. The software's user-friendly interface and efficient functionality have reduced administrative time and made the process easier for vendors. The ability to receive vendor pricing and answers to questions in forms tailored for each solicitation has streamlined the evaluation process. The software's supplier management portal has eliminated paper and postal costs from the sourcing process. The ability to build their own database of highly qualified suppliers has ensured up-to-date, accurate vendor information. The software's oversight capabilities have ensured that major procurements are competed according to industry best practices.

Quantitative Benefit

The new software eliminated manual data entry steps, allowing eight agents to complete close to 90 solicitations per year.
The Q&A process and messaging templates save time and ensure accuracy.
The new system is easy for vendors to understand, leading to fewer support requests to the procurement team.