Order IT equipment directly via web shop

The web shop is a cooperation within the framework of the digital network of Bavarian universities and is developed by the University of Würzburg. The joint IT framework contracts of the universities are entered centrally in Würzburg as catalogues in the shop.

Previously, it was only possible to create offers as PDFs in the web shop, which then had to be processed further with an e-procurement application. Over the course of the last year, the ITS at the University of Bayreuth worked with colleagues in Würzburg to adapt the shop to the processes at the University of Bayreuth. "Since May 2023, the entire ordering process can be handled directly in the web shop," Thomas Schoberth, Head of Application Systems in IT at the University of Bayreuth, explains the innovation. "An additional e-procurement application is no longer necessary."

The new ordering process was presented in May as part of the "ITS Knowledge" training series. To ensure that staff can order smoothly via the web shop, another training date is planned for the autumn. The exact date will be announced in due time.

"The operation of the shop is clearly less smooth than the operation of Amazon and Co.", says Schoberth. This is due to the fact that the diverse processes of the universities have to be mapped and, above all, that - in contrast to the large commercial providers - the development team in Würzburg consists of only three people.

To make it easier for staff to get started, there is a compact guide on the right-hand side of the web shop's homepage. "There you first find out whether you are "authorised to order" or "not authorised to order"," explains Schoberth. "Then you receive - according to your authorisation - step-by-step instructions and tailor-made tips."