Cooperative Purchasing Services Ltd (CPS) continues to improve services to its members and the efficiency of its operations. Formed in 1989 by the Municipal Association of Victoria, CPS has combined the buying power of Victorian Councils resulting in better prices, terms and conditions of supply.
The transition from hard copy manuals to electronic procurement commenced in 1992. Three years ago CPS developed a CD version and introduced web capabilities. An e-commerce function has been operating for two years.
The next step, for Council members to be able to complete their procurements online and automatically have these transactions posted to their Financial Management Information System, has recently been achieved.
“Integration is the big thing,” said CPS General Manager, Ian Holden. “Whitehorse City Council, working with their financial software provider Axs One, has become the first of our members to be fully integrated.”
Although CPS is primarily Victorian based, it is working with Local Government Associations and regional groups of Councils in other States.
Ian Holden recently visited Tasmania where he made a presentation on the CPS model to a number of Councils.
“We are working with the Local Governance Association of Tasmania to develop a scheme unique to Tasmanian Council needs”, he said. “This will also enable many Tasmanian suppliers to increase their markets to Councils on the mainland.”
Total membership of CPS is 78 Councils in Victoria and nine in Tasmania.
Assistance has been provided to set up a similar resource cooperative in South Australia, with many Councils in this State using CPS contracts. CPS is also working with a group of Councils in north east New South Wales.
For further information contact Ian Holden, telephone (03) 9801 6588.
