CrimsonLogic and IDA International to market Government eBusiness procurement platform

Public sector organisations utilising the platform can achieve greater transparency and fairer competition.

Leading eGovernment solutions provider, CrimsonLogic, announced on Tuesday that it has entered into a partnership with IDA International to distribute and operate e-procurement systems incorporating the Government eBusiness procurement (GeBIZ) platform for the global markets. Both companies will jointly market the new GeBIZ platform globally - IDA International, a subsidiary of the Info-communications Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), will be applying its professional and consulting skills to assist governments to achieve their e-business vision while CrimsonLogic will be responsible for implementing the requisite technology and solutions.

The new commercialised GeBIZ platform will serve as a one-stop e-business solution tool that will facilitate trading between organisations and their local and overseas suppliers, for both government and non-government businesses, according to a CrimsonLogic report.

With the new e-procurement GeBIZ platform adhering to World Trade Organisation government procurement policies, public sector organisations utilising the platform can achieve greater transparency and fairer competition, ensuring that items purchased are value-for-money.

For non-government agencies and businesses that want to adopt the government’s procurement best practices, the new GeBIZ platform will operate on a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform, enabling businesses to pay according to specified preferences.

According to the United Nations E-Government Survey 2010, which reviewed countries globally, 98 percent of countries have government websites. This presents a huge potential for the adoption of an electronic government procurement (e-GP) system. An e-GP system will bring about cost savings from reduced transaction costs. These cost savings are a consequence of more efficient procurement processes, easier access to markets, increased competition and reduced supplier costs. In addition, users can transact on the platform anytime at their convenience, with the e-GP system available 24/7.

Commenting on the partnership and the global market for the e-GP platform, Mr Leong Peng Kiong, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), CrimsonLogic said, “In most countries, the government and the agencies it controls, are together the biggest purchasers of goods and services of all kinds - ranging from basic commodities to info-technology services. They need a solution that ensures fair and transparent transactions for all parties involved. The new GeBIZ platform is built to address the needs of this fast growing market.”

“Partnering with IDA International to market this platform globally is a logical step that will enable the partnership to leverage on the synergies and expertise of both organisations. We are excited by the opportunities and are confident that our existing and potential customers worldwide will be delighted with the cost savings and transparency the platform will bring to them,” he further added.

The use of e-GP as a key component of eGovernment catalyses the country’s development process by stimulating the economy, modernising the public sector, and improving government performance while leveling the playing field for both small and large-scale suppliers of goods and services. Bringing together governments and private industries in a virtual environment, the e-GP systems brings about a win-win situation in providing improved transparency and a huge potential of efficiency gains for both governments and suppliers. Moreover, the transparency and efficiency in spending taxpayers’ money can contribute to enhancing the image of governments amongst the public in general.

According to Mr Tan Lark Yang, Director, IDA International, “We are pleased to have CrimsonLogic as our implementation partner for this commercial version of GeBiz. We believe that this partnership will provide public agencies around the world with a complete and proven solution for public procurement. Whether as a standalone or integrated with CrimsonLogic’s solutions, the new solution will be a compelling offering for governments and non-government agencies. It will enable them to leverage on technology for better e-governance and efficiencies through electronic procurement.”