E&I offers a comprehensive range of eProcurement solutions, from our no-cost VERVE to standalone platforms with varying levels of functionality and integration capabilities. We make eProcurement accessible for all members while bringing increased visibility and market reach to all E&I suppliers.
VERVE is our no-cost online shopping service where members and their end users can shop for products and services available through E&I supplier contracts in a fully secure, centralized purchasing environment. Functionality includes member-specific E&I contracts, support for p-cards, purchase orders, and RFQs, as well as reporting, basic approvals, and admin rights. ERP integration is also available at low or no cost.
Why VERVE?
The way buyers shop online has changed.
VERVE is your conduit to our members, showcasing your catalogs and our contracts in a searchable platform accessible across campus. And we’ve committed to representing every E&I supplier on VERVE, regardless of your ecommerce ability.
EqualLevel: The Solution Provider for VERVE
EqualLevel is easy-to-use and adopt, with a familiar and intuitive consumer shopping experience. The solution is pre-loaded with all E&I contracts, so members can start using it right away. Punchout integration from ERP and other ePro systems is available, and EqualLevel incorporates a strategy for success regardless of ecommerce capability.
VERVE is a no-cost online marketplace for p-card users, enabling schools and universities to drive end-users to a centralized shopping experience where our contracts are available in a fully secure purchasing environment.
E&I is committed to providing an eProcurement pathway for any member who has historically been unable to afford a solution because of cost or complexity. That is why, while VERVE is intended for small and mid-size schools, it is offered to all members as no cost.
Members have the option to engage more strategically with VERVE through an Enrolled Account, which designates an Account Administrator and offers additional functionality such as requesting PO transaction types, setting up approvals, and accessing member-specific pricing, if applicable.
How it Works
Suppliers participate in VERVE based on their ecommerce capabilities (punchout or RFQ). All suppliers will have the following features in VERVE:
VERVE Content
Transaction Functionality
Benefits for you:
In addition to VERVE, E&I is also proud to offer the opportunities to partner with the following eProcurement solutions providers.
Serving as a private marketplace for business and procurement leaders and their users, EqualLevel, Sponsored by E&I connects schools and universities with our portfolio of supplier contracts in a pre-loaded, secure environment.
JAGGAER’s on-demand procurement software and Supplier Network deliver the suppliers members need in one centralized hub, enabling buyers to source products through one comprehensive system.
Unimarket’s eProcurement solution is designed for higher education, connecting a catalog-driven supplier marketplace with purchasing, invoice management, and card payment functions in one integrated platform.
VERVE is a no-cost online marketplace for education where many of E&I’s contracts are pre-loaded and available in a secure, controlled purchasing environment. VERVE is available to all E&I members as part of their E&I membership.
The EqualLevel search engine searches profiles as well as online catalogs. Providing keywords will optimize your company’s search results. Categories and subcategories of your products and services is a great place to start. You can add or remove keywords over time.
There is in-platform access to training, documentation, videos, and other resources. We also field Tier 1 questions submitted in the application by members.
Members have the ability to sign up for an “Enrolled Account,” and this is our primary goal as we talk with members. An Enrolled Account indicates that the member has chosen to take a strategic approach to using VERVE and has designated an administrator. There is an onboarding process to work directly with the member to provide:
VERVE has a Request for Quote feature. Complete the Ecommerce Capability Survey and provide EqualLevel with the point of contact and email address of the person or group to receive quote requests.
EqualLevel connects your punchout store to VERVE through EqualLevel GO. Suppliers complete the store setup and submit the punchout and order credentials in your Go Store. EqualLevel will then connect the store to VERVE once testing has been completed.
While VERVE has a single URL for login, each member institution is set up as a separate account within the environment. If the member signs up for an Enrolled Account, they will have more control over their processes.
If applicable, members can enable their specific pricing as a punchout catalog provided they have an Enrolled Account. As a result, product customization is possible for those members.
There are no third-party integrators.
Catalogs are separate from videos and brochures; any non-catalog material will be processed through E&I’s Marketing Department. Catalogs can be updated at any time within GO, which is managed by each supplier.
This is dependent on the technology you have available for your punchout. The E&I Member ID number is passed in the punchout request session, and some suppliers can provide unique pricing and experience to a user based on the email address and/or Member ID number.
Quotes and orders can be submitted ad hoc and aren’t reliant on catalog items. Please be sure to let EqualLevel know that you can accept ad hoc orders so that capability is enabled for your instance.
This is done by the supplier; however, we encourage anyone who doesn’t have the quote capability in their punchout catalog to consider the RFQ in EqualLevel. All quotes are available from your GO Store and can be responded to within your environment. You can also assign certain people to respond to quote requests submitted by different members as well as initiating a quote from the GO Store.
All members have access to the punchout. A list of members who have been uploaded into VERVE can be provided. The individual assigned by suppliers to manage the E&I contract receives a monthly update of new and deleted members.
