A UK tech firm whose automation platform underpins billions of pounds worth of global trade has mobilised to help the NHS supply chain battle Covid-19.
Transalis is applying its expertise in electronic data interchange (EDI) and logistics software to aid companies urgently supplying hospitals and health centres with essential products and support services.
From this month they can have free access to Transalis’ UK government and European Union-accredited PEPPOL procurement platform to speed up invoicing and payment processes.
Many different companies are finding themselves in the NHS supply chain for the first time, supplying vital life-saving services
The move was announced by Transalis co-founders and joint managing directors, Aniello Sabatino and Paul Simpson.
Sabatino said: “Many different companies are finding themselves in the NHS supply chain for the first time, supplying vital life-saving services.
“The expanding national ‘war effort’ includes manufacturers in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries who are suddenly ramping up production of scrubs, gloves, face masks and other personal protection equipment.
“Big industry names such as Dyson, Rolls-Royce and Airbus are also switching production to make ventilators.
“And gin distillers are turning waste heads into hand sanitiser, fashion houses are making surgical masks, and the Royal Mint is producing medical visors and ‘sneeze screens’ to protect frontline healthcare staff.
“In the construction sector, there are builders, civil engineers, architects and facilities management firms involved in the Government’s procurement of space for new critical care beds such as NHS Nightingale at the ExCel centre in London.”
PEPPOL, standing for Pan European Public Procurement Online, represents the highest level of international public procurement standards for companies working to support government healthcare.
It is a framework of technical specifications designed to make disparate tech systems interoperable.
Transalis is fully certified to meet the PEPPOL AS4 standard covering all aspects of electronic procurement and supply chain management, including the exchange of purchase orders, despatch advice and invoice messaging.
Red tape and unnecessary time spent on invoice processing and payment is the last thing you want when you are simply trying to help in this uniquely-challenging situation
And, because it is a European government procurement standard, the certification means Transalis’ platform can be used to exchange documents with governments and healthcare providers across the EU.
Under its move to open-up access to the web portal, Transalis will provide users with a connection formatted to PEPPOL standards and permit them to send up to 500 invoices annually.
Transalis team members will also be on hand to provide training and email service support.
Simpson said: “Companies new to supplying the NHS may not understand the required public-sector procurement standards straight away.
“Red tape and unnecessary time spent on invoice processing and payment is the last thing you want when you are simply trying to help in this uniquely-challenging situation.
“As one of the few UK businesses accredited to PEPPOL standards, we felt it was time to put the health of the nation ahead of company profits.
By offering a free PEPPOL connection, we are doing our bit to help ensure there are no hold-ups for suppliers joining the fight against COVID-19
“By offering a free PEPPOL connection, we are doing our bit to help ensure there are no hold-ups for suppliers joining the fight against COVID-19.
“We can help them with quicker payment arrangements and maintaining a healthy cash flow.“It’s all about peace of mind, knowing the documentation processes and admin are all taken care of while they focus on the critical work they need to do.”
