What is Mercell?

Mercell is a leading procurement management platform, widely used in the public and private sectors to streamline purchasing and procurement processes. The platform supports contracting authorities and suppliers in various sectors to collaborate more efficiently, ensure compliance, and increase transparency. Mercell offers numerous features for managing bids, contracts and communications, which helps organizations simplify processes and set them up more accurately.

In this article, we will discuss in detail what Mercell is, its key functionalities, and how organizations can make the best use of it to achieve their procurement goals.

What is Mercell and why is it important for procurement?

Mercell is a procurement platform that serves several European markets and focuses on simplifying procurement and tendering processes. By using Mercell, both contracting authorities and suppliers can digitally manage the process of requests for proposals, selection and contract management. The platform ensures that procurement is transparent and compliant, ensuring a fair and efficient process for all parties involved.

Mercell is especially important for contracting authorities dealing with complex regulations, such as the Procurement Act. The platform helps organizations manage risk, provides valuable data for optimization and promotes collaboration with suppliers through a digital workspace.

Key functionalities of Mercell

Mercell offers a range of functionalities specifically designed to support each step in the procurement process. Below we discuss the most relevant features:

1. Quotations and selections.

Mercell allows contracting authorities to easily create and publish calls for tender. The platform uses standardized templates that can be customized to meet the organization's specific requirements. This ensures that suppliers receive the same information and meet the same requirements, which facilitates evaluation.

2. Transparent review and award

Mercell provides a comprehensive evaluation module where evaluators can add their ratings and scores for each bid. This module allows criteria such as award criteria and selection criteria to be used so that all offers are evaluated objectively and consistently.

3. Integrated communication and document management

A unique feature of Mercell is its integrated communication system, which simplifies communication between contracting authorities and suppliers. All messages, questions and documents are securely stored and easily accessible, ensuring that every party involved has access to the information they need.

4. Contract management and compliance

Managing contracts can be challenging in the procurement world, but Mercell makes this process more efficient with contract management and compliance features. The platform provides an overview of all current contracts, with notifications for renewal or termination. These features help organizations comply with all regulations and provide an additional layer of transparency.

5. Integration of data and analytics.

Mercell collects data throughout the procurement process, from the initial request for proposal to the final evaluation. This data can be used to improve procurement processes, reduce costs and make forward-looking decisions. With analytics and reporting, the platform provides insights that are invaluable for strategic optimization.

Mercell benefits for suppliers

Mercell also offers significant advantages for suppliers. Suppliers can submit their bids in a structured manner and benefit from the transparency provided by the platform. Here are some ways suppliers can take full advantage of Mercell:

1. Quick access to new tenders: Mercell notifies suppliers of new tenders relevant to their field. This allows them to respond quickly to new opportunities.
2. Understanding detailed selection criteria: Understanding the selection and award criteria allows suppliers to optimize their bids and meet the specific requirements of the contracting authority.
3. Efficient document management: Suppliers can store all their documents and bids centrally within Mercell, contributing to structured and error-free enrollment.
4. Use of feedback and evaluations: Suppliers can consult evaluations from previous procurements to learn and increase their chances of success in future procurements.

Mercell for contracting authorities: tips for effective use

Contracting authorities can use Mercell to optimize their processes and ensure compliance. Here are some tips for effective use of Mercell:

1. Use templates and checklists: Use the available templates and checklists to maintain consistency in documentation and assessment.
2. Define clear criteria: It is essential to clearly define and transparently communicate selection and award criteria. This makes the selection process more objective and the evaluation more structured.
3. Implement structured contract management: Contract management within Mercell ensures that all contracts are closely monitored and helps identify renewals and terminations.
4. Use data analytics: Use data analytics to identify trends and areas for improvement. These insights can help further optimize the procurement process and develop strategic policies.

Examples of Mercell use in practice

Mercell is used by a variety of organizations, from municipalities and healthcare facilities to educational institutions. Some real-world examples of Mercell use:

1. Municipalities and governments: Municipalities use Mercell for infrastructure projects, such as road maintenance and construction projects. The ability to set detailed award criteria helps evaluate bids objectively.
2. Healthcare facilities: Healthcare facilities use Mercell to procure medical equipment and cleaning services. The integrated compliance features allow them to meet required regulations.
3. Educational institutions: For schools and universities, Mercell provides an efficient way to manage procurement processes and select suppliers for services and materials.

Why Mercell is a valuable procurement platform

Mercell offers significant benefits to both contracting authorities and suppliers, making procurement processes more streamlined and transparent. For contracting authorities, Mercell helps ensure consistency and compliance, while suppliers have access to the information and tools they need to bid successfully. With features such as document management, contract management and data analytics, users can manage the entire process and optimize performance.