2013-04-29
Terminology in public eProcurement

eProcurement only exists because of the respective electronic systems and platforms, but technology would be of no  value, if there is no content. Content in public eProcurement – and  eBusiness/eCommerce in general – comes largely in two guises: structured content and unstructured content. In multilingual Europe both should be presented to the user in several languages, otherwise cross-border procurement is severely hampered. Terminology and other kinds of structured content play an important role here. Many/most of the some 300 eProcurement systems in Europe are not easily accessible to foreign users. Moreover, the proliferation of user interfaces makes it difficult for companies to respond to calls for tenders run on multiple platforms. In the EU eProcurement is facing two barriers: lack of cross-border interoperability and interface complexity. The Commission launched two projects to address these issues, see here.

The Golden Book of e-Procurement Good Practice: The study analyses in depth around 30 electronic platforms used for public procurement in the EU resulting in a report covering among others good and bad practices, the needs of SMEs and cross-border suppliers when using an eProcurement platform.

The  e-Tendering expert group (e-TEG): The e-TEG developed a “blueprint” for an ideal pre-award eProcurement system, including recommendations targeted at contracting authorities, policy makers or software developers that aim at simplifying the way eProcurement is conducted, particularly for SMEs and cross-border suppliers. Infoterm was involved in this activity. 

See also the Commission's communication "A Strategy for e-Procurement" of April 2012.