AISWA Buyer Connect

AISWA Buyer Connect – Frequently Asked Questions 
 

1) What can I do on the platform?

AISWA Buyer Connect makes it easy to manage your school’s purchasing needs in one central place. You can post requests for goods or services without sending multiple emails, and browse a directory of providers in the organisation section. You can also request quotes, send and receive messages, and keep all communications neatly organised so nothing gets lost.

2) Who can use the platform?

The platform is designed for anyone in your school who needs to purchase items, request quotes, or oversee a budget. This includes Principals, Business and Finance Managers, Support Staff, Administrators, ICT teams, Facilities and Grounds staff, Senior Leaders, Middle Leaders, and anyone responsible for a budget area. Principals and Business/Finance Managers can act as Platform Administrators, but all relevant staff can use AISWA Buyer Connect to make procurement faster and easier.

3)  How does the Marketplace feature work?

The Marketplace is a buy-sell-swap space for schools to trade or exchange unwanted furniture and equipment. It’s designed to promote reuse, reduce waste, and help schools make the most of their resources.

4) Can documents and media be uploaded? 

Yes. You can upload tender documents, specifications, and product images directly into the relevant sections of the platform. This ensures that all the necessary information is stored securely in one place and is easy to share with suppliers and colleagues.

5) What governance reports are available? 

You can generate a Quote Report at any time, which is ideal for finance teams, board committees, and auditors. The report includes the date the quote request was made, the companies that tendered, the name of the successful tender, and the reason for their selection. It also stores all related messages and documents, ensuring complete transparency and compliance. 

6) How do I get started?

Getting started is easy, but if you’re new to the AISWA Member Portal, it’s important to know your way around first. We recommend following these steps:

•    Set up your AISWA user profile – this gives you access to the Member Portal.
• Log into the portal and navigate to Buyer Connect – this is where all the features live.
• Access our support materials – these guides will walk you through using Buyer Connect with ease. 

7) Can I arrange Equipment Finance at the same time as I create a Request For Quote (RFQ) for the equipment? 

Yes! If you tick “Finance Required” on the RFQ form, an Equipment Finance Company will be automatically alerted. Each finance company will then get in touch to offer you a competitive rate, and all legal documents will be signed off outside the platform. 

8) If I am a small school, how do I ensure that I can get the same leverage as a large school? 

Registered providers are expected to offer all schools fair and equitable pricing for their goods and services. You can also use the Marketplace to let other small schools know you’re preparing an RFQ and invite them to join in. If needed, the FP Software team can arrange a bulk RFQ so that each school still receives their own goods and invoice while benefiting from group purchasing power. 

9) Can I recommend other providers to register on AISWA Buyer Connect? 

Absolutely! The platform works best when it includes a wide range of reputable registered providers who can offer similar goods and services. This helps create more choice, improves competition, and ensures schools have even more opportunities to save time and money. 

10). How does the AISWA Buyer Connect platform help with my budget process? 

You can post RFQs for most goods and services on the platform, making it easy to gather pricing information. By setting the delivery date for the next year, you can lock in an agreed price in advance, helping you plan and finalise your budget with confidence. 

Short How-to-Videos

For information about the strategy and benefits of joining, contact:
Tom Wagner
Director, Strategic Communications and Business Development, AISWA
twagner@ais.wa.edu.au

For platform walkthroughs, registration help, or other technical support, contact:
Michael Burgess
Director, FP Software
michael@fp.software