Hello All, MHEC has been working to develop an online shopping platform where MHEC members can request vendor quotes, compare products, and order from multiple vendors at once. This new feature is the i-buy marketplace https://www.mhec.net/about_ibuy_marketplace/ .  There's a new half-hour webinar out that gives an overview of i-buy's features and functions that can be accessed from MHEC's Maine libraries page https://mhec.net/state/me/ or via You Tube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzAkoQ4RKbo . I wouldn't recommend it for the book vendors like B & T or Ingram that have their own high-level cart systems but for supplies and equipment, check it out. Not all MHEC vendors are on the platform yet (50 stores so far) but 150 more will be coming in the next few months.

Other points:

  *   You can use a credit card, P-card,  or P.O.
  *   Can track org spending via the platform
  *   Can authorize certain users to put through orders or just add to carts (wish lists)

If you want to discuss how i-buy can benefit your purchasing work flow, contact Ryan Kidder at [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> or 413-992-2576.
Deb

Deborah A. Clark, MLIS
Library Management Specialist
Maine State Library
(207)233-2193
E-mail: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>

"Great Libraries Build Strong Communities"