About the University of Exeter (UoE):

UoE is a leading environmentally conscious institution, globally renowned for its environmental research. In June 2024 it once again ranked first worldwide for its commitment to addressing Clean Water and Sanitation in The Impact Rankings (which measure commitment to addressing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals), sixth in the world for Life Below Water; seventh for Responsible Consumption and Production; and third in Europe for Zero Hunger. Overall, it placed tenth globally, third in Europe, and second in the UK across all 17 SDGs - a remarkable achievement.

A key contributor to their success in some of these areas was the launch of its new integrated service, PS Connect, transforming way it offers Professional Services.

You ticked all our boxes

The UoE needed a new software that could cope with their future growth plans. The team looked at their options and shortlisted 5 software providers in order to demonstrate their technologies.

Each provider was scored on a rigid and unbiased competency framework, making sure each was scored fairly against the same set of metrics. Leah Jones - Senior IT Procurement Officer, said: “OneAdvanced came out on top in almost every area, you gave us everything we needed and more and to make sure our decision was watertight, we also spoke to other HE organisations who were already using you.”

Your sector knowledge is an added bonus

Having sector specific knowledge at your fingertips has proven to be a real asset to our customer(s) growth. Through truly understanding our customers, their sectors and their individual objectives is something we are continuing to prioritise at OneAdvanced. Leah told us: “The fact that you had a team of dedicated people who knew the sector and had already worked with other institutions like ours removed a lot of in-house pain. Martin Weal, Exeter’s dedicated Business Development Executive, was amazing. He was extremely knowledgeable and patient with us, he made the whole process really smooth.” 

A sound structure and effective planning win every time 

Here at OneAdvanced, we realise that adopting new software can be a challenge. To support you on that journey, we have specialist and ringfenced resource to work with you and take that challenge away. We set out detailed and clear objectives, realistic timelines and keep you engaged and informed at every milestone. Sarah Ascott - Assistant Director of Finance, said of our approach: “We’ve even utilised parts of your implementation framework in our own internal projects especially the soft launch which was instrumental in our success.”

You delivered bang on time, bang on budget with superior customer service

Through effective planning, continual engagement and collaboration, combined with the support, openness and trust the UoE gave the team at OneAdvanced, it allowed the University to deliver exactly what was required (and more). Sally Porter - Head of Procurement and Sarrah Ascott elaborate: “You delivered on the exact date we said we would, on budget with a superior customer service made the project the easiest project I’ve ever worked on.”

We underestimated how much we would actually save

The University forecasted an annual saving of £650,000 ahead of the go live date. Donna Fitzgerald - Director of PS Connect, said: “Following the successful implementation of Purchasing from OneAdvanced, projections were exceeded with savings of £400,000 in the second quarter post-launch, and if this trend continues, we are on track to meet our financial targets around purchasing goods and services across Professional Services and Faculties.”

Since the launch of UoE’s New Procurement Operating Model, it’s clear to see that the Procurement team’s hard work, dedication and focus is paying off, and OneAdvanced are pleased and proud that we can support by providing the technology and customer experience that enables you to over achieve on your already ambitious goals. Sarah continues: “The University now has full control, insight and governance over our contracted and we are continuing on the same trajectory.”