April 2004 - OneOffice system to automate procurement process, creating paperless office and
driving better value from suppliers.

Strategix, a European software house dedicated to the development and rapid deployment of supply chain software, today announced that Nexus, the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive, has begun implementing an e-procurement system using Strategix OneOffice software. Aimed at improving the efficiency of Nexus' supply chain and ultimately the transport services offered to the citizens of Tyne and Wear, the new system replaces an inefficient and labour-intensive paper-based system.

Nexus provides, procures and promotes public transport and works closely with the Passenger Transport Authority and district councils on transport policy. Strategix has already completed the first phase of the project, having replaced Nexus' legacy financial software systems with OneOffice financial management systems in a period of just 6 weeks. Full implementation is scheduled for September 2004, with a roll out to some 200 additional users.

A key objective of the new solution is to automate the process of putting contracts out to tender, allowing the Nexus purchasing department to spend more time obtaining the best value from external suppliers. The system will handle requisitioning of all Nexus’ externally sourced supplies, including spare parts, construction materials, office supplies and consumables, needed to support a public transport infrastructure that includes train, bus and ferry services.

Staff throughout Nexus will be able to requisition required items directly through OneOffice, supported by a simple dashboard-based view of other requisitions and budget availability. Workflow will ensure that managers and budget holders can approve or query all requests, before the central purchasing department sources goods, either from internal stock or through an automated competitive tendering process that will involve various levels of electronic collaboration with external suppliers.

"As an organisation that is largely funded by public money it is our responsibility to be able to deliver services in a cost-effective manner, minimising the amount of resource consumed by administration, and delivering best value to our stakeholders," comments Keith Nisbet, Group Accountant, Nexus. "Improving the efficiency of our procurement process by partnering with Strategix is a fundamental element of our strategy, both in conducting the maintenance of infrastructure needed to sustain the higher standards we are aiming for and in supporting the introduction of new light rail and tram services in the future. The cost savings and efficiencies we aim to achieve through this e-procurement initiative will allow us to focus on improving the quality of public transport, so that it can continue to offer a more viable alternative to the use of cars."

Commenting on the contract, Peter Lusty, chief executive of Strategix said: "Nexus needs to be able to meet government objectives to increase the usage of public transport and consequently has a 15 year plan to improve and extend the services on offer to the citizens of Tyne and Wear. It recognises that IT efficiency is a key part of this and that an improved procurement process will make best use of the resources available. Strategix understands Nexus' requirements and the stringent criteria such public sector solutions demand, and is delighted that OneOffice has been selected as the cornerstone for Nexus’ e-procurement systems."

About Nexus
Nexus is the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive, the executive arm of the elected Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority, which determines public transport policy across the region’s five local authority areas. Nexus owns and operates the Tyne and Wear Metro system and the cross-Tyne Shields Ferry, in addition to a range of specialist bus services, such as demand-responsive U Call service and Care Services for mobility of impaired passengers.

Nexus’ aim is to create the conditions in which people will increasingly choose to use public transport. Innovation and forward planning are key to the success of that aim, as is technology and its use to streamline business practices and provide value added benefits to passengers.

About OneOffice
OneOffice is a new generation of supply chain software that combines operations, finance, customer and event management in one innovative system. This seamless approach maintains a 360° real-time view of an organisation, providing information as important events occur. Human intervention is automatically sought at critical junctures or if conditions unexpectedly change. This enables businesses to respond quickly and make informed decisions.

OneOffice has a component-based design, enabling businesses to select a solution that is right for them using a single package. The OneOffice product suite includes:

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) to manage promotions and improve customer satisfaction
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) to streamline back office operations
• Supply Chain Event Management (SCEM) to detect and respond to critical events inside and outside the business
• Supply Chain Management (SCM) to reduce costs and improve customer service by automating processes with suppliers

The benefits of the OneOffice approach are many, including:
• Enhanced business efficiency, with software designed to meet the unique requirements of service and distribution businesses
• Outstanding service levels, by ensuring that every business interaction is valuable for both parties
• Improved responsiveness and SLAs, by monitoring activities in real time and detecting opportunities and problems as they happen
• Feedback on business events and KPIs, using dashboards to deliver summarised information in real time
• Seamless front and back office, by creating a streamlined, low touch operation which - when conditions change - actively seeks human intervention
• Using one database and one intuitive user interface to avoid the significant cost and risk of integrating different vendors' software products into a hybrid system.

About Strategix
Strategix is a leading European software house, dedicated to the development and rapid deployment of supply chain software.

We focus on the wholesale and retail distribution, logistics and service sectors where our software maximizes supply chain efficiency and accelerates customer service. Our systems are designed for reliability, availability and performance. Our customers enjoy a rapid return on their investment and genuine competitive advantage.

Focused on key growth sectors which range from high technology to household and building products, Strategix numbers businesses such as Fired Earth, Fuller Smith & Turner, Jewson, London Underground, MacLean Electrical, Midwich, Routeco, Virgin Mobile and Wolseley among its customers.