Growth continues in 2012
Investment in the NIGP Code provides for its advancement and lays a foundation for stronger public procurement processes overall. We at Periscope Holdings are excited about both the progress made over the past year and the potential expansion opportunities ahead. This article provides an overview of activities conducted in 2012, including ongoing efforts and successes associated with the NIGP Code.
The NIGP Code remains a widely adopted classification taxonomy for state and local government procurement, and serves as a mechanism for managing master data – the vendors, inventory, and catalogs that are core to our public entities. The Code’s growth and success are fully dependent on the community of public purchasing professionals who utilize it. As we move forward, our attention will increasingly turn to leveraging the Code to help subscribers execute on strategic sourcing initiatives and empower greater transparency and decision-making.
Key accomplishments for 2012
New Users (31): Boise State University; Sioux Falls, S.D.; Denver Public Schools; Olathe Unified School District, Kan.; St. Paul, Minn.; Omnitrans (Calif.); Santa Fe, N.M.; Dayton, Ohio; Baton Rouge, La.; Black Sheep Ventures; Miramar, Fla; Aiken County, S.C.; Seminole Tribe of Florida; Boulder Valley School District (Colo.); Washoe County School District (Nev.); State of Illinois; Ukiah, Calif.; Boise, Idaho; Placer County Water Agency (Calif.); Smyrna, Ga.; Lewiston, Idaho; NEON, Inc.; Multnomah County, Ore.; Frederick County Public Schools (Md.); Yonkers, N.Y.; Kennesaw State University (Ga.); Miami Lakes, Fla.; Muskegon County, Mich.; Jupiter, Fla.; Ontario County, N.Y.; and Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewer District.
New Codes: We continue to work with the code users to add to the code base. The creation of new codes helps to ensure that the NIGP Code remains responsive to the demands of public procurement. In 2012, we added 16 five-digit items, 985 seven-digit groups, and 5,802 eleven-digit details to the overall code set.
Coding and Code-Related Services: The NIGP Code services team works with code users to convert from existing (legacy) code systems and inventory masters to the current NIGP Code, or to establish a standardized spend classification system for the first time. In some cases, the code users require ongoing assistance to establish codes for new goods and services. This coding work has resulted in enhanced visibility for inventory, improved classification and identification of vendors, and transparency in reporting for code users.
In 2012, we worked with the following entities to help manage their master data:
- Baltimore County Public Schools – inventory management
- City of Austin, Department of Public Works – construction project standardization and development of a “crosswalk” to CSI codes
- Harford County Public Schools – inventory
- City of Houston, inventory and spend management – QA of SAP master file
- State of North Dakota, State Hospital – inventory conversion
- State of Tennessee – punch-out interface from e-procurement system to the NIGP Code
- State of Texas, Comptroller of Public Accounts – contracts management and inventory
- State of Texas, Department of Transportation – inventory
- State of Washington, Department of Corrections – inventory
- State of Washington, Department of Transportation – inventory
- State of Washington, Department of Social and Health Services – inventory.
Periscope Holdings will continue to be represented at key conferences, deliver conference seminars and training webinars for users of the NIGP Code to educate agencies on best practices related to the Code and master file management. We also conduct NIGP Code Boot Camps to develop implementation approaches and train endusers regarding the NIGP Code.
We look forward to continued success in 2013, and have plans for significant expansion of our NIGP Code-related activities. For more information on the NIGP Code, please visit www.nigp.com or contact us at any time.
Matt Walker is president of the NIGP Code Services at Periscope Holdings, the custodian of the NIGP Code on behalf of the NIGP. He welcomes feedback and ideas related to the Code. Contact him at [email protected].