Information on how NWUPC Full and Associate Members can access the new Hunter Contract & Supplier Management Portal (Hunter CSM Portal) can be found at the bottom of this article, you can jump straight to it by clicking here.

The Higher Education (HE) sector has now experienced a significant enhancement in procurement resources with the launch of the new Hunter CSM Portal. Designed to streamline access to framework details and reporting tools across the UK, this portal marks a new era in the way member institutions interact with essential procurement data and supplier information. We’re thrilled to introduce this platform and give you an insight into its functionality and benefits.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the CSM portal’s core features and explain how it can transform your procurement processes. You’ll also find a short introductory video to Level 1 and 2 from APUC, the portal developers. Stay tuned for details on an upcoming webinar, which will dive deeper into the reporting and analysis tools available for ‘Level 2’ users, as designated by Heads of Procurement.

Background

For nearly two decades, Regional HE Purchasing Consortia has provided member institutions with a contract database that centralises framework agreements. The previous system, HE Contracts, has served institutions across England and Wales for the past five years.

Developed by our HE Consortia partners APUC in Scotland, the new Hunter CSM Portal brings a more unified approach to contract management and data sharing, enabling greater transparency and efficiency for institutions nationwide.

Registration

Here’s what to expect with the registration process:

• Starting in early November 2024, current HE Contracts users with active logins as of September 30th 2024, received an email from their consortia, inviting them to register on the new Hunter CSM Portal.
• Once registered, users will have immediate access to vital framework information, including key dates, relevant documents, and essential contact details.
• For those who don’t receive an email or who need a new login, initial support will be provided through us at NWUPC – you can register for log in access at the bottom of this article.

To give you an idea of the CSM’s capabilities, we have a short introductory video from APUC. Click here to watch the video: Hunter CSM Portal Introduction.

Training and User Support

As shown in the video, navigating the new portal is straightforward, and a downloadable User Guide is available on the CSM’s homepage for on-demand support. Alongside this guide, further video tutorials and additional training resources are to be provided to help users at all levels.

Advanced Reporting and Future Developments – Level 2&3

The Hunter CSM Portal doesn’t stop at providing framework and supplier data; it also introduces advanced reporting capabilities for selected users. Heads of Procurement can designate staff as ‘Level 2 or 3’ users, giving them access to a broader range of reporting tools designed to improve decision-making and strategic planning.

A short introductory video to Level 2 from APUC. Click here to watch the video: Hunter CSM Portal Level 2 Introduction.

To support these users, we will be hosting a Level 2 webinar at a date to be confirmed. These sessions will provide an in-depth look at the CSM’s reporting functionality, equipping procurement teams with the insights they need for better planning and compliance.

Going Forward

We’re excited to see how the new Hunter CSM Portal will enhance the HE sector’s procurement experience and improve access to key data for institutions across the UK. We are here to help and if you are experiencing any issues we have a few ways to help you.

Some quick questions answered:

• I would like to access the new Hunter CSM Portal but I do not have a log in? NWUPC Full and Associate Members can register below. NWUPC will register you on the system and log in information will be emailed to the address you registered with. You must register with your work email address. If you wish for Level 2 or 3 access you must speak to your Head of Procurement or equivalent as NWUPC cannot grant this.
• If you have a system issue on the new Hunter CSM Portal – you can contact the APUC Helpdesk.
• Logging in issue (after registering) on the new CSM Portal – you can contact the APUC Helpdesk.
• Questions about how to use the new CSM Portal – You can find a full user guide after logging in at the top right of the main page as well as the 2 introductory videos further up this page.