Emirates Petroleum Products Co (Eppco) yesterday began its e-procurement operations via Tejari.com when Managing Director Hussain Sultan placed the company's first online tender for five trucks at Gitex.
"Although our initial focus is on e-procuring office supplies, transportation and supplies for our Eppco StarMart and Enoc's Aqua convenience stores, we aim to electronically transact all our group purchasing activity within 18 months," said Sultan, who is also chief executive of Emirates National Oil Co.
He said that with the group's procurement running into millions of dirhams annually, online procurement will save substantial funds and time, and enable it to widen the supplier base.
"It will ultimately improve our bottom line substantially," he said.
The posting of the tender "sends a clear signal to the marketplace that e-procurement can also be used for major capital purchases," noted Lubna Al Qasimi, managing director, Tejari.
This year Enoc — of which Eppco is a subsidiary — signed up with Tejari to become the first oil and gas company to trade with the online exchange.
Enoc also sealed an enterprise agreement yesterday with Microsoft when Sultan signed the contract to standardise its networked and messaging environment on the Microsoft exchange platform.
The technology has enabled Enoc to provide connectivity to over 800 managers and workers in its offices in the UAE and abroad.
"Enoc must continue to utilise 'best of breed' technology to ensure that its infrastructure can support the continued growth and expansion by improving the company's internal efficiency which reflects on its customers' satisfaction," Sultan said.