System will reduce time searching for new software and hardware

Marks & Spencer has adopted an IT procurement portal to help it with technology purchases.

The portal, theitindex.co.uk, will help the retail chain reduce the time it spends finding the right product to fit its business needs.

The company says the system will cut the number of calls to software and hardware suppliers when it is trying to find the best price and quality of products when it makes IT purchases.

Tony Griffiths, Marks & Spencer's IT procurement manager, says using the portal will help drive the retailer's efforts to adopt innovative methods of working.

'This portal appears to offer us a highly evolved IT procuremenet tool providing information on almost any IT product,' he said.

'That makes it an efficient use of our time and resources.'