Benchmarking

Purchasing Services utilizes benchmarking initiatives to evaluate the effectiveness of its purchasing strategies, purchasing processes, and internal operations. Purchasing Services also routinely evaluates business strategies and initiatives of other colleges and universities as well as private sector companies. The results of these initiatives help shape future purchasing strategies and business objectives.

Formal benchmarking initiatives involving Purchasing Services include:

• Aberdeen Group "Best Practices in eProcurement"
  A research study conducted by the Aberdeen Group to examine the processes, systems, and strategies of industry leading eProcurement solutions.
• CAPS Research
  A non-profit and independent research organization co-sponsored by the Arizona State University School of Business and Institute for Supply Management.
• Ivy League Purchasing Group
  Purchasing representatives from the Ivy League institutions and a number of peer institutions.
• Innovator's Circle
  Ten leading higher education institutions launched the Innovator's Circle, an initiative to aggregate and report on trends in their eProcurement programs.

Purchasing Services also routinely engages in benchmarking initiatives with private sector organizations in areas such as eProcurement, strategic sourcing, and supplier diversity.

Companies that have been involved in these benchmarking initiatives include:

• GlaxoSmithKline
• Rohm & Haas
• State Farm Insurance
• Sunoco
• Bristol Myers Squibb
• United States Air Force

All questions regarding this initiative are to be directed to Ralph Maier in Purchasing Services.