TO keep the port informed at every stage of the procurement process, Westport has added Procurehere to its Internet technology base.

A third-party e-platform, Procurehere will allow Westport staff to track and monitor the progress of the procurement at any one given time, from sourcing to actual purchasing.

"The system provides transparency to all parties concerned, making the process infallible. "In 2002, Klang Multi Terminal (KMT) handled 110 projects through Procurehere and we saved RM4.9mil

"In 2003, the total number of projects handled was 93, but we saved RM7.2mil. "The total transaction handled to date since 2002 is RM259mil," said Westport head of technical services Ahmad Damanhury.

With Procurehere, Westport will get an electronic business-to-business (B2B) platform for efficient and reliable procurement. The system offers users two auction tools, namely the reverse auction and forward auction.

The two auction platforms act as the medium for real-time online negotiation based on market forces and competition. The platforms advocate transparency and limit direct negotiations while achieving cost and time reduction strategically derived from reverse auctions and profits for sale of assets, excess stocks from forward auctions.

From the macro point of view, the Procurehere system and services offers benefits that would lower the digital gap and improve access. The system management also captures suppliers' information and transaction history that provide valuable commercial data for improved and informed decision-making.

Procurehere also allows the buying organisation to purchase products or services from online catalogues prepared by suppliers. This process has been described as being almost as effective as picking it off-the-shelf.

"We have had many multi-million ringgit projects successfully bided online and many of the works, which have met the projects and Westport objectives, have been completed to satisfaction. "Some of these projects have taken place in Container Yard 3, the Outer Extension to LB3 at the liquid bulk terminal and the wharf maintenance dredging and tractor yard.

"The latest large-scale project is the newly completed Berth 4 at the liquid bulk terminal which had saved the company nearly RM4.7mil," said Ahmad. To date, he said, Procurehere had continued to fit into Westport's IT-savvy vision.