Q. How often will I be able to update content?
A. Daily. The interfaces to DECS from the Supplier Hub will run daily. Subject to MOD Authorisation the updates can be available to MOD users within 24 hours. Note that only changes to content should be sent – not a refresh of the entire catalogue. Changes still need to adhere to the existing MOD commercial processes.
Q. How will content changes be managed?
A. Content changes will be communicated via the MOD Trading Partner Hub or direct update, and approved in the same way by the MOD Authoriser.
Q. How will training be provided for the MOD Trading Partner Hub?
A. Requisite Technology will provide training, typically via Internet-based on-line training events (‘webinars’).
Q. Our own Internet-based catalogue has been developed with our own corporate brand and presentation. Will this be replicated if it is also hosted on DECS?
A.No. The e-Catalogue presentation within DECS and P2P will be uniform, as it will need to conform to a specification that will be used by all catalogues and content providers. Where appropriate, MOD users will be able to compare like products from different suppliers’ catalogues.
Q. The categorisation set out for DECS does not fit with the way we have organised our commercial catalogue. Can we use our own categorisation under DECS?
A.The MOD has a requirement to use the categorisation as defined by CPV '03. This is the categorisation that must be used. However, this categorisation can be imported into DECS via a number of formats including XML and text tab delimited.
Q. We have developed a website and catalogue available to our commercial customers via the Internet. Will MoD users be able to access and use our catalogue (punch out) in this way?
A. No, not MOD security policy prevents punch-out to external catalogues.
Q. What activity is going on to get the MOD using catalogues?
A. Catalogues are already used across the MOD. The focus now is to promote the use of electronic catalogues. The ICS, Medical Supplies and stationery catalogues were the first to be e-enabled and the business process and communication strategy to extend the service further is being developed. Catalogues will be an important tool to assist buyers to transition from traditional stockholding policies to reliance on industry.
Q. What connectivity channels are available to a Catalogue Supplier?
A. The standard options are available Exostar, EDI or HTTPS.
Q. When will paper invoicing/ordering officially stop?
A. No date has been set. The current paper system will continue while there are Catalogue users who do not have access to the electronic system. The aim though is to migrate to full electronic trading as soon as practicable in order to reduce overheads for both MOD and its suppliers.
Q. When will the Purchasing Card functionality be available on P2P?
A. P2P and the Government Purchasing Card are currently completely separate methods of purchasing. The GPC is used for low value, one-off purchasing where contracts are not in place. It is expected that P2P will be used for all contract purchasing.
Q. Will the DECS hosted catalogues be able to include pictures and diagrams?
A. Yes, there will be the facility to provide a picture and an attachment (in specific formats) for each SKU.
Q. How will content be created and approved?
A. There are two ways in which content may be created. The first is using the MOD Trading Partner Hub, an Internet-hosted environment provided by Requisite Technology that is available for this purpose. The MOD Trading partner Hub will ensure that the format of the catalogue content conforms to the specification required for DECS and P2P. The second is via direct transfer into DECS from the content provider. In this case the provider must present their content against the technical specification that will be provided by DECS. In either case once the content has been successfully loaded it will be reviewed and either approved or rejected by the MOD Authoriser associated with that catalogue. Content must be approved in this way before it can be accessed and used by MOD buyers.
