The Purch
Embracing the Future of Procurement with The Purch: A New E-Procurement Solution for Illinois State University
At Illinois State University, our strategic plan for 2024-2029 includes a strategic direction of elevating our institutional excellence which has a goal of improving efficiencies across campus. Two of the objectives within this goal include continually updating technology to meet the needs of campus and improving business processes to create efficiencies and increase effectiveness. The Purch, ISU’s new E-Procurement solution, is a testament to this strategic vision. It represents a significant leap in modernizing our procure to pay processes, and is a strategic move towards elevating the institutional excellence of Illinois State.
Rollout
The Purch is set for university-wide rollout in the Spring of 2027.
August 2026
Project Kickoff
September 2026
Leadership notification: announced The Purch (Redbird Purchasing Portal) and key system benefits
October 2026
Training session: process improvements overview, Supplier Diversity strategy, and guidance on the purchasing request process
November 2026
Unimarket terminology and demo session; pilot group meetings begin (mid-to-late November)
December 2026
Core team testing; Information on upcoming training opportunities
January 2027
Information session with test environment demonstrations, shopping tutorials for goods and services, and go-live date set
Spring 2027
Go-live
Transition from Colleague and SharePoint to the Purch
With the implementation of the Purch, departments will transition from using Colleague for procurement and invoice activities. This change is a key step in our strategy to streamline procurement processes and enhance efficiency and transparency.
Why Switch to E-Procurement?
The Purch aligns with our mission to embrace technologies that enhance efficiency, transparency, and compliance. This transition is a vital part of modernizing our approach to procurement at Illinois State.
Impact of the Purch on the Campus Community
- Campus Experience: The introduction of the Purch will transform the procurement experience with intuitive, consistent processes, and informed decision-making.
- Compliance and Transparency: The new system brings structured workflows, insightful dashboards, and a comprehensive transaction history for enhanced compliance and transparency.
- Administrative Efficiency: The Purch will help to automate end-to-end procurement processes, reducing manual tasks, and aligning with our sustainability goals.
Key Benefits of the Purch
- Comprehensive Procure-to-Pay Solution: Enjoy an intuitive, robust end-to-end procure-to-pay, supplier management, and contract management system with mobile capabilities, automated receipt integration, streamlined approval functionalities, and compliance verification.
- Connecting Processes and Systems: A single solution for Contracts Management, Supplier Management, Procurement, and Accounts Payable needs eliminating the need for disconnected solutions in SharePoint, Colleague, and offline forms.
- Increased Efficiency: Reduce processing time and manual efforts with streamlined process and workflow automation.
- Improved Compliance: Ensure adherence to procurement policies and regulatory requirements with built-in compliance checks.
- Supplier Collaboration: Foster better relationships and communication with suppliers through a centralized platform.
- Advanced Reporting Tools: Access graphical reporting tools to analyze purchasing trends and spend data.
Our Vision for the Future
The Purch embodies our vision for a technologically advanced and efficient procurement system, marking a significant shift in how procurement is managed at Illinois State. We are dedicated to a smooth transition to the Purch, with comprehensive training sessions and detailed rollout plans to ensure preparedness across our community. Your involvement is crucial as we move towards a more streamlined, efficient procurement process, in line with Illinois State’s strategic plan for the future. Stay tuned for more updates and training information about the Purch. Your participation is key to our shared progress and innovation at Illinois State.