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Financial Management Newsletter #50

December 2007

Happy Holidays!

This issue of the Newsletter will be focused entirely on providing an update on the progress of our transition of the Stores operation.


Stores Transition Nearly Complete!

As you know from previous communications, including this newsletter, the University has been in the process of decentralizing its central stores operations since May, with a goal of finalizing the transition by the end of December. Below is an update on the various business lines previously provided by University Stores.

Background:

Since the beginning of this transition, the objective of this initiative was to develop a business model for meeting your needs that was fiscally sound. Key customers of the Stores operation were involved in our transition activities and their input has been critical to the progress made and outcomes developed. Much effort has been devoted to this initiative in recent months, validating that the previous Stores model was not able to meet the changing needs of the institution.

In addition to campus customers, our efforts have included on-going discussions with Human Resources, including Labor Relations, and with leadership from both the WFSE and SEIU Unions. We remain committed to assisting campus customers during this transition and want to emphasize the well-being of Stores employees has been foremost in our minds. We appreciate the efforts of the Unions, HR and Labor Relations in working with us to identify options and solutions for our affected colleagues.

Key Business Line Updates:

Compressed Gas

With the input of many campus customers and a corresponding competitive process, we've transitioned the compressed gas services from Airgas and other providers to Praxair, who will provide direct distribution to campus customers. Most Stores customers have met with Praxair representatives to discuss specific needs and have begun receiving product directly from them. If you have not had a tailored session, please contact the Praxair service representative, Jennifer, at (Jenniferclaggett@praxair.com) or by phone (253-620-1651) as soon as possible to set up your account.

If you haven't done so already, we encourage all administrators who purchase gas to contact our Praxair representatives to plan the transition for your department as soon as possible.

For additional contact and ordering information, please see: http://www.washington.edu/admin/purchstores/stores/

eProcurement

The vast majority of the items previously available through Stores are now available WITHOUT A MARK-UP! on the eProcurement website at http://www.washington.edu/admin/stores/eprocurement/index.html. More catalogs are expected in the near future so stay tuned for more choices.

Due to eProcurement systems changes, a few changes will occur on the budget posting process and document mailing process. Please see http://www.washington.edu/admin/stores/eprocurement/reconcilliation.pdf for more information.

Ethyl Alcohol

Starting in January, customers will be ordering ethyl alcohol directly from the Washington State Liquor Control Board, as required by state statute. Ordering forms, instructions and procedures will be posted on the Purchasing website shortly and Purchasing staff will be available to assist with any questions. In consultation with the State, we are exploring longer term solutions with eProcurement that would provide purchase directly to alcohol vendors.

Purchasing Alternatives

A complete listing of new alternatives for previously supplied products is available at http://www.washington.edu/admin/purchstores/stores/

Please contact Mary Jane Mackay at 616-8363, or mjmackay@u.washington.edu with any questions on the transition.


Ann Anderson, Associate Vice President / Controller, Financial Management Group (andera@u.washington.edu or 543-4993)

V'Ella Warren, Senior Vice President, Finance and Facilities (vwarren@u.washington.edu or 543-8765)