NOVO-K LIMITED

BuyingStation - Sourcing to Contract Platform

BuyingStation is Novo-K’s efficient, user-friendly SAAS procurement solution that optimises the purchasing process and cuts costs.

It offers features such as Contract Management, Supplier Onboarding, and AI-powered Quotation and Tender creation, ensuring clarity, control, and confidence in supplier interactions, whether used alone or integrated into a larger system.

Features

• Contract Management: Organise and manage contracts in one central location.
• Supplier Onboarding: Streamlined process, bringing new suppliers onto the system.
• Project Pipeline: Easily manage and monitor upcoming and ongoing projects.
• Spend Tracking: Keep track of procurement spending with detailed analytics.
• AI-powered Quotation and Tender Building: Create competitive, efficient bids.

Benefits

• Increased Clarity: Clear insights into supplier spend and procurement processes.
• Enhanced Control: Maintain better oversight of procurement activities.
• Improved Confidence: Use robust evaluation tools for compliant supplier selection.
• Cost Efficiency: Reduced costs through streamlined procurement and contract management.
• User-Friendly Interface: Access these powerful features through easy-to-use interface.

£599.00 to £649.00 a unit a month

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Skills Framework for the Information Age rate card

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at danielle.jones@novo-k.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 14

Service ID

731055946351882

Contact

Danielle Jones
0330 139 7969
danielle.jones@novo-k.com

Service scope

• Software add-on or extension: No
• Cloud deployment model: Public cloud
• Service constraints: Our BuyingStation service combines on-site and remote support, tailored to the needs of your procurement programme. With profound expertise in procurement and the added functionality of BuyingStation, we ensure services are finely tuned for optimal effectiveness.; ; BuyingStation streamlines procurement, yet we acknowledge the need for specialised legal and cyber advisories. Intricate legal and specific accounting also areas require external expert approvals. Novo-K can connect you to a vast network of top-tier advisors for comprehensive, compliant guidance. Our integrated approach ensures all procurement activities are meticulously managed and professionally overseen.
• System requirements:
  • Operating System: Supports Windows 10/11, and macOS
  • Browser: Requires latest Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari versions.
  • Internet Connection: Stable and reliable internet connectivity required.
  • Hardware: recommended 8GB RAM, modern mutli-core processor.
  • Screen Resolution: Minimum 1024x764; higher resolution enhances user experience.
  • Mobile Compatibility: Supports recent iOS and Android versions.

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: Email or online ticketing
• Support response times: Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm, our standard SLA response is 4 working hours.
• User can manage status and priority of support tickets: No
• Phone support: Yes
• Phone support availability: 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
• Web chat support: Web chat
• Web chat support availability: 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
• Web chat support accessibility standard: None or don’t know
• How the web chat support is accessible: Web-chat is accessible through the Novo-K website.
• Web chat accessibility testing: N/A
• Onsite support: Onsite support
• Support levels: Novo-K provide both email, web, phone, and onsite support.; ; The support for BuyingStation is free of charge.; ; Technical Engineering support is available for the BuyingStation platform, and is available as both on-site, or remote support.
• Support available to third parties: No

Onboarding and offboarding

• Getting started: To help users start using BuyingStation, we offer comprehensive support through various training methods:; ; - Video Tutorials: Visual guides to navigate and use the platform effectively.; - Manuals: Detailed documentation for reference and troubleshooting.; - Web Training: Online training sessions to provide live, interactive learning experiences.; - On-site Training: Our skilled team can provide on-site demonstrations, and training for all users of the BuyingStation platform during the implementation period.; ; Our approach to the service setup and implementation is designed to ensure that users are well-equipped to utilise all features of BuyingStation efficiently, enhancing their procurement processes, and can be specifically tailored and designed in collaboration with the Buyers organisation.
• Service documentation: Yes
• Documentation formats:
  • HTML
  • PDF
• End-of-contract data extraction: At the end of a contract, users can seamlessly extract their data from BuyingStation through a straightforward, secure process. ; ; The platform supports data export in common formats such as CSV, Excel, or PDF, ensuring compatibility with various data storage and analysis tools. ; ; Additionally, we provide detailed guidelines and support to assist users in backing up or transferring their data, maintaining data integrity and compliance with all relevant data protection regulations. This ensures that users retain full control and accessibility over their information after the contract concludes.
• End-of-contract process: In the event of the end of the contract, the Novo-K team will ensure that all deliverables agreed at the commencement of the contract shall be delivered in full to the buyer. All data shall be returned in full, or deleted, as per the instruction of the buyer, unless required by law to be stored.; ; All support for transitioning from the platform are included within the contract charges, unless any additional configuration of data, or additional deliverables are required, as agreed with the customer ahead of the conclusion of the agreement.

Using the service

• Web browser interface: Yes
• Supported browsers:
  • Internet Explorer 11
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Firefox
  • Chrome
  • Safari
• Application to install: No
• Designed for use on mobile devices: Yes
• Differences between the mobile and desktop service: Our system is designed to provide a consistent user experience across both mobile and desktop interfaces, ensuring seamless functionality and accessibility on any platform.
• Service interface: No
• User support accessibility: None or don’t know
• API: No
• Customisation available: Yes
• Description of customisation: Our platform offers extensive customisation options, allowing users to tailor dashboards, incorporate branding, and adjust settings to meet their specific needs and preferences.

Scaling

• Independence of resources: The solution is hosted in an AWS public cloud. Novo-K have allocated sufficient cloud storage to ensure the service will not be impacted during peak users periods.

Analytics

• Service usage metrics: No

Resellers

• Supplier type: Not a reseller

Staff security

• Staff security clearance: Other security clearance
• Government security clearance: Up to Security Clearance (SC)

Asset protection

• Knowledge of data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Data storage and processing locations: United Kingdom
• User control over data storage and processing locations: No
• Datacentre security standards: Managed by a third party
• Penetration testing frequency: At least every 6 months
• Penetration testing approach: ‘IT Health Check’ performed by a CHECK service provider
• Protecting data at rest: Other
• Other data at rest protection approach: All data is stored within AWS. All processes and policies are as provided by AWS.
• Data sanitisation process: No
• Equipment disposal approach: A third-party destruction service

Data importing and exporting

• Data export approach: Export of data will be undertaken in a manual, file-by-file process.
• Data export formats:
  • CSV
  • Other
• Other data export formats:
  • PDF
  • Word
• Data import formats:
  • CSV
  • Other
• Other data import formats:
  • Word
  • Excel
  • PDF

Data-in-transit protection

• Data protection between buyer and supplier networks:
  • Private network or public sector network
  • Legacy SSL and TLS (under version 1.2)
• Data protection within supplier network: Legacy SSL and TLS (under version 1.2)

Availability and resilience

• Guaranteed availability: It is a standard SAAS based application, and so availability time would be as per the standard norms. ; ; As it is hosted within AWS, the standard uptime percentage is 99.99%
• Approach to resilience: As per the standard norms of the AWS hosting provision.
• Outage reporting: Email alerts

Identity and authentication

• User authentication needed: Yes
• User authentication: 2-factor authentication
• Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels: Each user has been assigned a role which restricts their access as per the user permissions.
• Access restriction testing frequency: At least every 6 months
• Management access authentication:
  • 2-factor authentication
  • Username or password

Audit information for users

• Access to user activity audit information: No audit information available
• Access to supplier activity audit information: No audit information available
• How long system logs are stored for: At least 12 months

Standards and certifications

• ISO/IEC 27001 certification: No
• ISO 28000:2007 certification: No
• CSA STAR certification: No
• PCI certification: No
• Cyber essentials: No
• Cyber essentials plus: No
• Other security certifications: No

Security governance

• Named board-level person responsible for service security: Yes
• Security governance certified: No
• Security governance approach: We are in the process of attaining the Cyber Essentials Plus Security accreditation, and so our current policies are aligned to this.
• Information security policies and processes: We are aligned to the requirements for GDPR, and so all reporting structures and policies are in line with these requirements.

Operational security

• Configuration and change management standard: Supplier-defined controls
• Configuration and change management approach: We are continuing to work with the solution development team for enhancements and bug-fixes, and will push all updates out to the live environment every month end.
• Vulnerability management type: Supplier-defined controls
• Vulnerability management approach: We continue to work with the solution development team in identifying and providing all enhancements and bug-fixes which are pushed out at every month end. Novo-K works with the known Cyber Security tools and applications which help in identifying the potential threats as an when there is any threat.
• Protective monitoring type: Supplier-defined controls
• Protective monitoring approach: We continue to work with the solution development team in identifying and providing all enhancements and bug-fixes which are pushed out at every month end. Novo-K works with the known Cyber Security tools and applications which help in identifying the potential threats as an when there is any threat
• Incident management type: Supplier-defined controls
• Incident management approach: We continue to work with the solution development team in identifying and providing all enhancements and bug-fixes which are pushed out at every month end. Novo-K works with the known Cyber Security tools and applications which help in identifying the potential threats as an when there is any threat

Secure development

• Approach to secure software development best practice: Supplier-defined process

Public sector networks

• Connection to public sector networks: No

Social Value

• Social Value:

  Social Value

  • Fighting climate change
  • Covid-19 recovery
  • Tackling economic inequality
  • Equal opportunity
  • Wellbeing

  Fighting climate change

  At Novo-K, we are driving change by putting sustainability at the heart of everything we do. We are carbon neutral and dedicated to the principles of sustainable and responsible procurement. Through our charity partners, we support important initiatives that help disadvantages communities and plant trees to fight climate change. ; ; We are members of the Ecologi initiative. Ecologi facilitates the funding of climate offset projects and tree planting around the world. Committed to net- zero, we have planted over 6000 trees in our Ecologi forest and with 92t of carbon reduction.

  Covid-19 recovery

  Novo-K is committed to playing its part in the Covid-19 pandemic recovery, and is aware of the importance of Micro and small enterprises (SMEs) in delivering this. Novo-K's policy is to contribute positively to local communities and other businesses in assisting in the recovery process, as aligned to the government's Covid-19 recovery plans.; ; Novo-K is committed towards upholding sustainability at the core of our operations. Since 2016, we have pledged to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on actively contributing to the development of three SDGs by partnering with three different charities, the Microloan Foundation, The Washing Machine Project and Ecologi. ; ; Ecologi facilitates the funding of climate offset projects and tree planting around the world. Committed to net- zero, we have planted over 6000 trees in our Ecologi forest and with 92t of carbon reduction. ; ; Microloan Foundation provides the tools and skills to enable the poorest women in Sub Saharan Africa. With every new client, we help one woman set up a business. ; ; The Washing Machine Project provides low-income communities with an accessible washing solutions. For every candidate we place, we donate one manual washing machine to support their cause. ; ; While the SDGs that we have primarily pledged are Gender Equality, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure and Climate Action, our work has consequently contributed towards the development of other SDGs including: ; - Good Health and Well-Being;; - Quality Education;; - Clean Water and Sanitation;; - Affordable and clean energy;; - Decent work and economic growth; ; - Life on Land; and; - Partnerships for the Goals; ; We have committed to continue with our support in all such SDGs and with this we are well placed in our continued support of the Covid-19 recovery.

  Tackling economic inequality

  In delivering our sustainability agenda, we have helped organisations on their journey to identify and implement their commitments. As part of this, we have also championed, the supplier diversity initiative encouraging our clients and wider procurement community to work with SMEs and diverse organisations. Following on from the insights we gained in 2022 and 2023, we are releasing our third EDI in procurement survey to understand what more can be done to support EDI in the procurement profession including closing the gender pay. ; ; In addition to this, our commitment to working with SMEs and diverse organisations has provided further contributions towards the UN SDG for decent work and economic growth, a goal which is central within all organisational ventures we undertake.

  Equal opportunity

  Novo-K was established in 2015, as an SME, with a desire to redefine procurement delivery and challenge traditional consultancies. We are MSDUK certified Ethnic Minority owned women business. As a consequence, we are committed to equality of opportunity as an employer, with policies and practices aligned to government equal opportunity policies.; ; Novo-K ensure that these policies are core in everything we do, and the aim of the company is to ensure that no employee or applicant receives less favourable treatment, facilities, or wages in recruitment or employment on grounds of age, disability, gender or gender reassignment, marriage, or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation (as aligned to the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010).; ; As per our alignment and commitment to the UNSDGs, we are champions of Gender Equality SDG, and we work with a number of charities to make wider impact on this and other fronts, also encouraging other businesses we work with to do the same.; ; This is core to our business ethic and everything that we do.

  Wellbeing

  At Novo-K, we deeply value the wellbeing of our employees and recognise it as a fundamental component of both personal satisfaction and professional success. ; ; Our comprehensive wellbeing programme is designed to support our team in every aspect of their lives. This includes access to mental health resources, flexible working arrangements that accommodate personal needs, and regular wellness activities aimed at promoting a healthy work-life balance.; ; We are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where every team member feels valued and empowered. We offer various initiatives to our employees, covering mental health, fitness, and optimisation of the work-life balance to enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of our employees. Additionally, our policies ensure that employees have the opportunity to voice their concerns and receive the support they need in a timely manner.; ; By investing in our employees' wellbeing, Novo-K aims to build a resilient and motivated workforce dedicated to excellence and innovation in all aspects of our business.

Pricing

• Price: £599.00 to £649.00 a unit a month
• Discount for educational organisations: No
• Free trial available: No

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Skills Framework for the Information Age rate card

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at danielle.jones@novo-k.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.