Marketing

New Supplier Guide

Becoming a Buying Solutions supplier can open up a world of business opportunities for you within the public sector. By winning a contract you have already demonstrated that your products and services are fit for purpose and offer value for money.

This puts you in a privileged position when bidding for work in the public sector and, by working with the Buying Solutions team, we can help you make the most of your contract.

With this in mind, we have produced a comprehensive Buying Solutions Supplier Guide for you and your colleagues to use with the most up-to-date information on:

Working together
Who’s who at Buying Solutions
Marketing your Buying Solutions contract
Sustainable solutions
Playing your part
Online information and services
Frequently Asked Questions

You can access the Supplier Guide in the Supplier Zone at http://www.buyingsolutions.gov.uk/aboutus/Supplierzone/publications

For further information, please contact our service desk on 0345 410 2222 or email info@buyingsolutions.gsi.gov.uk

Marketing support via the Supplier Admin Suite

We understand the important role you play in raising awareness of and marketing Buying Solutions’ framework agreements and also procurement arrangements.

To assist you in your efforts, we offer a dedicated site - https://admin.buyingsolutions.gov.uk/suite/ - specifically designed to meet your needs and provide help and support when you need it. Our easily accessible Supplier Admin Suite offers a wide variety of tools to help you make the most effective use of your time.

You will need a registered user account to access this information. To request access please email Webservices@buyingsolutions.gsi.gov.uk

You will find:

Supplier Zone – dedicated to providing valuable information, advice and guidance to help you build business
Latest Brand Guidelines – information on brand essence, identity – our logo and its application, visualisation and copywriting
New Supplier Guide – information on how to make your relationship with us as successful as possible
Management Information (MI) – including helpful templates, invoices and bid invitations

You are also able to keep your account details up to date, making it easier for your customers – and us – to contact you.

With the Supplier Admin Suite as your first port-of-call, you should have all the information you require at your finger tips. On the occasions where you need further assistance, our Category Marketing Managers are on hand for all category-related marketing issues, questions, suggestions and ideas.

Each Category Marketing Manager is available to help you and your marketing teams and can also direct you to the resources and guidelines that you require and share with you our corporate and any category marketing programmes, initiatives and opportunities that you may wish to take advantage of or be involved in.

This table allows you to identify the Marketing Manager for each category with contact details provided below.

Business Area	Category	Marketing Manager	Areas Covered
ICT	Networks - Network Services - Telecoms	Richard Smith	Network Services, including Mts and GSi, Voice & Data
	IT Software	Kathryn Palmer	ICT Consultancy: Application Development, GISS, eBusiness, eTransactions, Web design, Web hosting. EDRM, ERP, and MOU’s (Oracle, Agresso, BEA, Citrix, IBM and SAP) Software Licensing, packages and MOU’s (Microsoft, Sun and Adobe) and Payroll Services.
	IT Hardware	Hannah Ampleford	Peripherals, PCs, Servers and Storage, and Bespoke Solutions
	eCommerce	Steve Hulse	eProcurement and eSourcing, Spend Analysis, eAuctions
	ePayment Solutions	Steve Hulse	Payment Solutions
Business Services	- Property Solutions - Office Solutions	Rose Hines	Estates & Property Management Services, Facilities Management, Property Management & Full Design Team Services, Buildings & Hardware, Furniture, Flooring, Health & Hygiene, Catering. MFD’s, Office Supplies, Printing Services, Recycled Paper, Postal Services, Courier Services.
	Professional Services	Samantha Sturman	Consultancy, Resourcing, Legal and Learning & Development.
	Energy	Steve Hulse	Electricity, Gas, Liquid Fuels, Team Bureau Services.
	Travel	Jo-anne Edge	Air, Rail, Ferry Bookings. Hotels and Conferences. Vehicle Hire. Fleet Management Services.

To speak to your Category Marketing Manager please call 0345 410 2222 or email:

We need your case studies!

Case studies are an excellent tool to communicate a supplier’s experience, expertise and demonstration
of best practice.

All suppliers are welcome to submit case studies involving
their framework agreement or contract with Buying Solutions
for potential use on our website and in other marketing
materials and initiatives.

Case studies should include a profile of the customer
organisation, the challenge that was facing them,
a description of the solution provided including specific
outcomes wherever possible, together with a customer quote.

Please email relevant case studies to your Category
Marketing Manager.

Events

Face-to-face contact with customers is one of the most productive ways to raise awareness and stimulate new business.

With this in mind, we have a number of Buying Solutions roadshows planned for the New Year as well as a presence at a number of conferences and exhibitions.

Roadshow listing:

Energy Roadshow	Exeter Racecourse	16 December 2009
Property and Office Roadshow	The Met, Leeds	12 January 2010
Energy Roadshow	Jolly Hotel, St Ermins, Westminster	13 January 2010
Energy Roadshow	Radisson SAS, Glasgow	03 February 2010
Property and Office Roadshow	One Whitehall Place, Royal Horseguards Hotel, London	18 February 2010
Property and Office Roadshow	Marriott, Bristol City Centre	23 February 2010

You may be interested in attending one or more of the following events where Buying Solutions has a stand.

Conference and event listing:

Learning Technologies	Olympia, London	27 January 2010
Government IT 2010	QE11 Conference Centre	28 January 2010
ICT Procurement Forum	Edinburgh	03 February 2010
ICT Procurement	Belfast	24 February 2010
LGC Awards	Grosvenor Hotel, London	24 March 2010
NW Purchasing Consortium	University of Salford, Manchester	30 March 2010

For more details click on the news and events pages at www.buyingsolutions.gov.uk

We are also planning an event for suppliers which we hope you will useful. Further information will follow in the New Year.

Your Category Marketing Manager will be able to update you as our events plan develops or you can call the customer service desk on 0345 410 2222 and ask to speak to a member of our events team.