The ‘Storm Events’ schools are joining bring together education establishments looking to purchase a common item. One current Storm running on the schoolquote.co.uk platform totalled 678 laptops after its first week, with three weeks left for schools to join before its half-term cut-off.
Previous Storms run on the platform by Wiltshire Council achieved discounts on IT hardware of up to 40%, with savings per school averaging nearly £200 per machine. 34 schools involved in an individual event saved £71,000 - an average of more than £2,000 per school.
The events this half term are expected to total some 10,000 laptops, PCs, netbooks and hand-held devices, and all the major manufacturers are gearing up to help their resellers claim their share of the prize.
Hugh Taylor of Schoolquote said: “The popularity of the events partly stems from the potential savings, but school staff are undoubtedly attracted by the fact that ultimately they make their own, independent buying decision based on what is best for their individual establishment. They have nothing to lose by expressing their interest, and the potential up-side is tangible.”
“Our partners have been crucial in building the power of the Storms. Local authorities, the National Association of School Business Managers and EduGeek.net, the 20,000 strong community of education IT professionals, have been particularly enthusiastic and many schools are choosing to join the events through these partner sites”
Anita Druce, School Business Manager at Stanton St Quintin School, Wiltshire, has participated in previous Storm events. She said: “It is such an easy way for us all to achieve really significant savings and at the end of the day, every penny counts.”
Jo Wakeham, also from Wiltshire, explained the budgetary impact of the approach: “I love to see other users as determined as myself to save money and enable children to have a more fulfilled education. Saving money in one area means being able to spend it in other areas that benefit our pupils.”
Wiltshire’s schools received a prestigious Supply Management Award from the Chartered Institute of Purchase and Supply for their groundbreaking work with Schoolquote - and their collaboration was also highlighted in both the July 2009 Audit Commission Report on Economy and Efficiency in schools and the DCSF’s November 2009 ‘Securing our Future’ discussion document.
Historically, Storm events have also proved very effective at engaging local businesses, with the lion’s share of orders being won by smaller firms. Mark Holland of Melksham-based office products company, Business2Exchange, said: “The buying events are a great way for local schools to obtain a direct comparison between my business and my local and national competitors.”
Schoolquote’s Buying Community platform has a long history of helping school managers to stretch their budgets. By inviting suppliers to compete for their business on the service, individual schools have saved as much as £17,500, £25,000 and £30,000 on individual purchases.
William Simmonds, NASBM Chief Executive said: “The platform has a solid track-record and has proved very popular with school support and ICT staff for its ability to get them three auditable quotes from competing suppliers. By helping to achieving transparent competition, school managers are given the peace of mind that their schools are achieving and demonstrating best value, and for far less effort.”
