Component distributor streamlines purchasing

Farnell has announced the introduction of a corporate purchasing card, taking away the burdens of excess administration often associated with paper-based ordering procedures

Farnell has announced the introduction of a corporate purchasing card.

Available now, it gives customers greater cost control and purchasing flexibility, taking away the burdens of excess administration often associated with paper-based ordering procedures.

Like many similar companies, Farnell was searching for a method to help its customers reduce costs, increase purchasing control and streamline order management processes.

Farnell found the solution by joining forces with AllStar Purchasing, part of Arval PHH Business Solutions, to provide a bespoke card-based method for customers to purchase all their component requirements.

Customers apply for the purchasing card, nominate approved users and set up pre-agreed credit limits.

Those users are then free to purchase directly from Farnell, significantly reducing paperwork and other administrative headaches.

They make their purchases the normal way, either by phone, fax, e-mail or via the web, but pay with the Farnell Corporate Purchasing Card.

Each transaction is authorised automatically so that any breach of credit limits is immediately flagged.

At the end of every month, a single consolidated invoice takes the place of the numerous invoices the customer would otherwise have received.

That single invoice covers every purchase made, in line item detail, allowing the customer to check what is being purchased and by whom.

The purchasing information can also be accessed directly over the Internet at the password-protected website, www.allstaronline.co.uk.

Data is posted 24 hours after transaction entry and Farnell customers can obtain from the website a wide variety of management reports.

These reports are tailored to the customers' own individual requirements, with all the administration carried out by AllStar Purchasing.

Commenting on this latest addition to Farnell's suite of value-added services, Tim Welch, General Manager, Farnell UK, said: "Farnell is a customer focused and driven company and, as such, is constantly looking for ways to simplify the purchasing experience for its customers.

The corporate purchasing card delivers significant advantages for customers by providing a simple company wide purchasing process which is restricted to one supplier, controlling spending through tracked credit limits." Commenting on the partnership Louise Dickinson, Director of Arval PHH Business Solutions, said: "Already credited with an impressive reputation for its services and customer-orientated approach, Farnell needed a partner with the same high standards and flexibility.

With AllStar Purchasing behind the Farnell Corporate Purchasing Card, Farnell's customers can feel confident that it has chosen the best partner for the scheme.".

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