FAQs

The NEXT> Platform works on the various platforms and browsers in the versions recommended in the following points.

CPU: 2000 Mhz or above

RAM: minimum recommended – 2 GB

JavaScript: Version 6 or above. Required for certificate authentication, uploading and signing documents

• To verify the Java version installed on your computer: http://java.com/en/download/installed.jsp
• To install Java:  http://java.com/en/download/index.jsp
• The Java component is not compatible with versions of Mozilla Firefox above 49.0.2, Microsoft Edge and also with the Google Chrome browser. However, it is possible to overcome this situation using the “IE Tab” plugin, compatible with Google Chrome. To do this, go to ietab.net/options and, after configuration, add community.vortal.biz in the field “Auto URLs”

Operating System and Browser: see below the recommended operating systems and browsers for correct use

NEXT> Platform

Firefox: only the less current versions of this browser (<51) support java applets, necessary to sign documents on the NEXT> platform.

Google Chrome: only the less current versions of this browser (<79) support java applets, necessary to sign documents on the NEXT platform>.

In the most current versions (79>) it is possible to overcome this situation using the “IE Tab” plugin, compatible with Google Chrome. To do this, go to ietab.net/options and after configuration add community.vortal.biz in the field “Auto URLs”

Internet Explorer: when using IE11 you must ensure the following configuration

• In the browser tools, select “Internet Options”;
• In the “General” section, click in “Settings”;
• Select “Every time I visit the webpage”.

Note: The E-Auction module is not compatible with the version 9 of Internet Explorer.

Safari: the less current versions of this browser (<11) support java applets, necessary to sign documents on the NEXT> platform.

nextVISION Platform

We recommend using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browsers in their latest versions.

When the platform is fully available, the new document signing framework “Digital Signature Service” will not require applets to run, avoiding any constraint.

Note: Cookies and JavaScript should be enabled. The pop-up blocker should be disabled. Please note that you may have more than one pop-up blocker.

To use any Internet Explorer browser, you must remove Vortal websites from Compatibility View. Here's how (the example considers Internet Explorer 11):

1. In the browser, select "Tools" and then "Compatibility View Settings"

2. Click on "Delete"

But what is meant by eProcurement? There are various definitions, which often hinge on the difference between eProcurement (post-award) and eTendering (pre-award). In the private sector, eProcurement is often used to mean the technology that supports the post contract award purchase to pay or transactional cycle. eTendering is then used to describe the technology used around the pre-contract award phase, the category management or strategic sourcing cycle - so supplier selection, tendering, and contract management.

In discussion of technology in the EU context, most of the interest in public procurement has been around automating and systemizing the sourcing process - but somewhat confusingly, it is generally termed eProcurement. The transactional element of procurement (P2P), which tends to be post-contract award focused, such as requisitioning, ordering and invoicing, is often handled through ERP systems and is therefore of less interest at EU Commission level.

We could say that you can save even more thanks to our experience. However we’ve wanted to be conservative at this point. We have referred this percentages because they appear in the Green Paper on the modernisation of EU public procurement policy published by the European Commission:

http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/consultations/docs/2011/public_procurement/synthesis_document_en.pdf

For all governments, but most significantly those where eProcurement is not well established already, there are a number of options in terms of ensuring that eProcurement is introduced as required. Similar options face individual contracting authorities, at least where the national government has not imposed a standard solution.

The key decisions are:

• whether to allow an open market in eProcurement systems i.e. let each contracting authority determine itself which solution it will use to fulfill the Directive, or whether to impose central (national or regional) solutions;
• whether to choose an on-premise or software as a service (SaaS) solution; and
• whether to build a bespoke eProcurement system, or buy a proprietary off the shelf solution available on the market already.

 i. What do you have to consider before choosing an implementation model and why VORTAL model is usually the best choice?

This decision contains a number of very important issues that need to be considered:

• Delivery risk: VORTAL has been operating since 2000. Our platform already exist and it’s ready to use. We have implement it in more than 2.000 public entities.  
• Cost: our model, SaaS, allows that the costs of our platform is shared between all our customers. Our clients pay for the services we provide, not developments, hardware, maintenance, etc. charged.
• Functionality: by definition, any internally developed solution is unproven, with inevitable doubts about its capability and functionality. This is a high-risk option compared to using a proven solution like the VORTAL one. 
• Lead times: in terms of development and implementation, they are almost certainly much longer for the custom development, with little guarantee of hitting any initially quoted timescales. In the case of the VORTAL platform the system will only need some adaptations and customisations. 
• Future proofing: VORTAL picks up on new EU regulations and other new requirements, with an automatic upgrade path with costs defrayed across multiple users. An in-house developed system has unknown and almost limitless potential costs for upgrades and changes.
• Flexibility and expertise: internal solutions are likely to be inflexible in terms of staff– there is no pool of experts already available with experience of using the solution. The platform of VORTAL has been improved across the last 14 years according to our experience and the needs of our more than 2.000 buying entities.
• Integration issues: VORTAL eProcurement system can be integrated with ERP, e-invoicing or other systems. 

VORTAL electronic public procurement platform will allow you to simplify and make more efficient you procurement process. Thanks to VORTAL you will be able to manage all the process, from the creation of the procedure to the digital signature of the contract, electronically. Thanks to VORTAL you will:

• Reduce by more than 10% your procurement costs.
• Draw proposals from a larger, more competitive pool - without increasing the time and money you spend on procurement.
• Discover new and cost-effective suppliers (including SMEs who might not have been able to bid in more traditional procurement processes).

VORTAL allows you to manage all your procurement process electronically:

• Creation of the tender and invitation to suppliers
• Publicise the tender (including contract noticing and documentation)
• Clarify and amend procedures if necessary
• Hold an eAuction
• Start online negotiation
• Open tender and send notifications
• Receive online proposal with receipts
• Compare bids automatically and evaluate proposals
• Award bid, create contract and send notifications
• Signature of the contract

But VORTAL is not only technology. Our platform is commercialized as Software as a Service and for use the service we provide is one of our main unique selling proposition. We offer training and multilingual support, both for buyers and suppliers, all the process along. Our community management approach make us unique. 

By using VORTAL all clients will fulfill all the requirement of the new Public Procurement Directives approved by the EU. Apart from that our platform is easy customize to any national or regional law.

VORTAL has built an eProcurement suite that is easy to customize to any legal framework. This implementation is quick and our customers, doesn’t matter the country, can start using our solution very quickly. 

eProcurement for the public sector requires specific functionality. For example, focus on clear process and tracking of when bids are submitted, documentation of supplier questions, security issues, and formal evaluation processes are all key factors that do not necessarily have quite the same criticality for the private sector. And whilst many requirements are defined by the EU regulations, there are national or even regional differences too. Because of this, VORTAL has developed a specialism in the public sector market.

• A SaaS approach will be generally than the other options.
• A SaaS approach will be faster to implement, with lower costs associated with that phase compared to an on-premise installation.
• Updates and new innovations will generally be quicker and easier to implement. We can make just one change to the system to improve performance or perhaps to meet a new regulatory requirement; that is then applied to all clients using that system. 
• Availability – whilst every provider is different, the availability of VORTAL SaaS systems is generally higher than with other models. 

VORTALconnect is our tool designed to allow complete communication between multiple systems of varying standards. Versatile and flexible, it has been designed to be compatible with a wide range of international frameworks including PEPPOL. Our complete integration service will seamlessly adapt the VORTAL system to your business - including your ERP and financial management systems.

At VORTAL we realize that customer service means more than providing top-class technology. It means supporting our products with the very best in client care. If it’s urgent for you, it’s urgent for us – which is why we work around the clock to ensure that your questions or doubts are given the priority attention they deserve. You’ll have access to our dedicated team of specialists from day one, and they’ll be by your side at every stage.

VORTAL will automatically inform the suppliers on its network (more than 60.000 and growing). We work hard to guarantee that you receive the best offers from the most qualified suppliers. Our community management team will bring new suppliers to your procedures. 

Our experience say that it’s one of the crucial points. The implementation of the Public eProcurement will modify the way how people work, and this is always hard. Our implementation methodology, built based on our experience, helped us and the decision makers to overpass this situation.

VORTALconnect is our tool designed to allow complete communication between multiple systems of varying standards. Versatile and flexible, it has been designed to be compatible with a wide range of international frameworks including PEPPOL. Our complete integration service will seamlessly adapt the VORTAL system to your business - including your ERP and financial management systems.

As a buyer you will have a dedicated consultant available for you. All your suppliers will have access to our call centre, already prepared to support suppliers in many languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and German. We will implement any other language if any of our customers need it. 

Thanks to our platform you will be able to invite your current suppliers to your requests. Apart from that you can also open your request to the category, what means that any supplier with that category will receive the business opportunity and will have the opportunity to respond. 

VORTAL has a community management team that has the mission to find new suppliers and qualified them. Apart from that our platform has a reputation system that will let you choose the best supplier according to other buyer’s experiences. 

Introducing your suppliers in the network will give them the possibility to access more business opportunities. They will have access to the request from more than 2.000 buying entities. 

VORTAL is one of the world's largest and most successful eMarketplace operators, with a proven eProcurement and eSourcing platform that connects thousands of public and private sector buyers with an international community of qualified suppliers. 

The combination of an eSourcing Suite and an eCommerce Suite makes VORTAL a unique provider with a dual-value proposition. We take care both of buyers and suppliers, giving them the right tools to manage their purchases and sales

Yes. We have customers for almost every business sector: government, health care, financial industry, hospitality, construction, telecommunication, media, energy, etc. 

The only thing you need is to categorize well your company and activity. Automatically you will start receiving business opportunities from the buyers that use the platform for their daily procurement activity.

VORTAL is one of the world's largest and most successful eMarketplace operators, with a proven eProcurement and eSourcing platform that connects thousands of public and private sector buyers with an international community of qualified suppliers. 

The combination of an eSourcing Suite and an eCommerce Suite makes VORTAL a unique provider with a dual-value proposition. We take care both of buyers and suppliers, giving them the right tools to manage their purchases and sales. 

• Define a security policy.
• Define the scope of the ISMS.
• Conduct a risk assessment.
• Manage identified risks.
• Select control objectives and controls to be implemented.
• Prepare a statement of applicability.

We have identified 6 types of partners but we are opened to create more “categories” if you think we can work together. See all the categories here.

Everything can be discussed… Contact us here and let’s talk about it.