7 December 2020
As of today, NegometrixPortal has become part of Negometrix4. As a result, NegometrixPortal users will log in via Negometrix4.
Because of this, from now on, the release notes will include updates about the software previously only available in NegometrixPortal as well: Contract management, Supplier Relationship Management, Performance Surveys and Intake Management.
Both Negometrix4 and NegometrixPortal have a Tender Management module. Both modules will be included in this Release Notes and labeled separately.
Tender management (version Negometrix4)
Assign questions to colleagues in Question & Answer
In Question & Ansewer, you can now assign received questions to colleagues. Colleagues will then be able to propose an answer and share this with the buyer. As a buyer, you can draft the final answer based on these proposed answers.
The tab 'Draft' has been renamed to 'Ready'. As soon als a buyer drafts an answer and sets the answer as ready, it will be visible in this tab.
You can assign questions to multiple colleagues and monitor the progress of their proposed answers.
Undo the publication of an answer to a question in Question & Answer
In cases you want to change an answer to a question that already has been published, you can undo its publication. A company administrator will be able to perform this action. If you want to be able to do this as a buyer, your account manager can activate this for you.
Start the submission of offers based on a specific action
Instead of only scheduling the submission of offers, you can now activate this phase by performing a specific action:
- sending out the invites to suppliers
- publishing the tender
- starting the mini-competition
By doing so, you start the submission of offers and suppliers can immediately start filling out their offer. The schedule will be updated automatically.
Smaller items
- In the case where suppliers are allowed to submit multiple offers they will no be asked to label sequential offers to make it easier to tell them apart
- If suppliers add multiple colleagues to a tender to work together on the offer, receiving notifications will be activated by default for the whole team. Before, this was only for the main contact person.
Tender management (version previously NegometrixPortal)
New type of report 'All requests
A new type of report, 'All requests', has been added in which all types of requests are shown, including requests of the type 'Request for quotation'. Previously, it was not possible to show both the request for quotations and other requests in one report. The existing 'Request' report has been renamed to 'Request for Proposal'. This reflects the content of the report better than the old naming.
Creation of request for proposal request based on purchase request
With this release, the possibility has been added to turn a purchase request n the Intake management module into a request for proposal. Until now, it was only possible to create a tender on the basis of a purchase request. For this purpose, the 'Create request' button is now visible in the overview of purchase requests (if the purchase request meets the correct criteria). This adjustment is only relevant for users in the private sector.
Archive file directly accessible via link
When a user creates an archive file for a project/tender, the user receives a message in his screen when the archive file is ready. The message now contains a link that allows the user to navigate directly to the page where the file can be downloaded. Previously the user had to navigate to the location of the file himself.
Harmonisation module name
The naming of the modules that focus on tendering or the execution of RFPs/requests are harmonised between the different platforms. The name of the module 'Sourcing & Tendering' has changed to 'Tender management'. This is also applicable for suppliers. Where previously the name Requests was used, this has been changed to Tenders.
Performance survey
Adding users via tab email is no longer possible
For the sake of clarity when adding users to the survey team, the 'Via e-mail' tab has been removed. This tab allowed users to be added to the team of a survey. However, an additional action was required to obtain the correct authorisation. Now that user authorizations are handled via Negometrix4 , it is easier to provide the user with the correct authorizations and then add them to the team via the 'Address Book'. For this reason, the 'Via e-mail' tab is no longer visible.
Template copy function
To facilitate the management of survey templates, it is now possible to copy a survey template. In case of mouse-over on the template, the 'Copy' button appears which starts the copy action. The entire content of the survey is then copied if the copy action is confirmed.
Intake management
Adding users via tab email is no longer possible
For the sake of clarity, the 'Via e-mail' tab has been removed when adding users as administrators of a purchasing research template. Via this tab, users could be added to a purchase survey template. However, an additional action was required to obtain the correct authorisation. Now that user authorisations run via Negometrix4 , it is easier to provide the user with the correct authorisations and then add them to a template via the 'Address Book'.
Supplier relationship management
Improved communication inquiry process
Various improvements have been made with regard to the communication around inquiries. First of all, it is now possible, via the 'Invite' button, to invite a supplier again while retaining the supplier's answers. In addition, all communication for both the supplier and the vendor manager can now be found in the 'Communication/External' menu. This applies to both the invitation and any messages aimed at approving or rejecting an inquiry. Finally, both 'Invited' and 'Rejected' status are displayed if a supplier is invited again for an inquiry after the initial rejection.
Reject/approve qualification templates
With this release it has become possible to create templates for messages aimed at approving or rejecting received qualifications. This increases both efficiency and uniformity within the qualification process.
Contract management
Adding users via tab email is no longer possible
For the sake of clarity when adding users to the working group of a contract file, the 'Via e-mail' tab has been removed. Via this tab, users could be added to a contract dossier. However, an additional action was required to obtain the correct authorisation. Now that user authorisations run via Negometrix4 , it is easier to provide the user with the correct authorisations and then add these to the contract dossier via the 'Address Book'.
Generic for NegometrixPortal modules
Create/manage user changes
As a result of bringing NegometrixPortal and Negometrix4 together, the creation and management of user authorizations has changed significantly. These changes are only relevant for the administrator(s)/admin(s) of your organisation. A separate instruction is shared with the administrators explaining the most important changes. If you, as administrator, have not received this instruction, please contact our service desk.
Improvement layout excel export
The export to excel has been improved so that special punctuation marks are shown correctly in the export.
Authorisation key added to webhook
With this release it is possible to add an 'authorisation key' to a webhook which enables verification of the webhook event prior to execution.
Improved performance
In several places, the speed of functions has greatly improved. Particularly with long lists and screens with a lot of content, a considerable improvement is noticeable.
Broadening the use of API
From now on it is also possible to update contracts and suppliers within the Negometrix4 platform from external applications. For this purpose, the API framework has been extended with 'PUT methods' for these two types of resources. If your organisation wishes to use the API functionality or this extension, please contact your account manager. The API must be activated as a new module within your domain before it can be used.