ANZ Bank has partnered with e-commerce infrastructure developer MRO.com to create a new Internet procurement service, which the bank claims will deliver secure purchasing and lower processing costs for business.
ANZ's online marketplace links buyers and suppliers online, including suppliers such as IT procurement and support company Volante OnLine, part of the Volante Group, and Corporate Express, a supplier of office products and services.
The service provides a supplier directory with an extensive online catalogue, covering a wide spectrum of indirect supplies including stationery, industrial wares, services and IT equipment.
"The e-procurement service offers value to businesses which are actively looking to embrace e-commerce and the benefits it offers in terms of cost savings, reduced administration, increased flexibility and greater market reach," said Mike Irvine, ANZ head of business e-commerce.
This will be integrated with ANZ's secure online payments system, online reporting, and later online auctioning, payment acceleration and other services.
The marketplace will initially operate in Australia and New Zealand. Plans are also underway to link ANZ's procurement marketplace to MRO.com's extensive US supplier marketplace, which already holds more than 10 million items from the world's leading industrial suppliers, the company claims.
