Essex County Council’s (ECC) approved ordering system for goods and services is IDeA:marketplace. It enables ECC to capitalise on the cost and efficiency savings deliverable through eProcurement without requiring suppliers to invest in new technology.
IDeA:marketplace is available free of charge to suppliers trading with ECC. New suppliers will be requested to join upon their registration to trade with ECC.
The system is accessed online using a unique user ID and password which allow suppliers to receive and manage purchase orders, submit electronic invoices and report on their paid status. For suppliers that are new to the marketplace system, a
supplier guide is available.
Benefits
IDeA:marketplace provides the following benefits:
- An efficient purchase-to-pay process.
- A single, scalable solution for suppliers of all sizes and capabilities.
- Increased visibility with clear audit trails for all transactions.
- Reduction in time spent on query resolution.
- Improved relationships with ECC.
- Multiple methods of electronic invoicing.
- Removal of paper invoices and associated costs.
- Reporting access on invoice history.
Electronic invoicing
The following e-invoicing methods are available for use.
Purchase Order Flip
Suppliers submit their invoices via IDeA:marketplace by logging in and converting (‘flipping’) existing purchase orders into e-invoices.
Please note: PO Flip in the supplier guide is referred to as ‘create manual e-invoice.'
Manual XML
Suppliers are able to upload a file of electronic invoices, generated from their finance system, into IDeA:marketplace. The file must be in one of three accepted XML formats.
Automated XML
Also known as Automated Invoice Presentment, a supplier’s financial system is integrated with ECC’s to allow automatic transmission of XML invoice files from one system to another.
(XML stands for Extensible Markup Language, which enables data to be provided in a specific file format.)
Payment methods
ECC makes payments to suppliers using BACS, which credits payments direct to nominated bank accounts. As quoted in ECC terms and conditions, payments against invoices will only be made where a valid ECC purchase order number is quoted. The purchase order number is supplied at the point of order.