WeBuy is Minneapolis Public Schools’ enhanced online shopping process.
A few of the benefits include convenient shopping from online catalogs and leveraging contracts already in place with vetted vendors. This simplifies the shopping process and save you time.
You maintain local control of the shopping and approval process within your department or school, but with this paperless approach, that work is easier to accomplish. Learn more about the benefits of WeBuy.
The WeBuy team has created an entire curriculum of courses and support materials based on your role in the enhanced online purchasing process.
For more information about WeBuy, check out the Purchasing Page on the Staff Intranet.
If you have WeBuy questions and/or need support, please call the MPS Procurement Team at (612) 668-5400. If you are having technical issues accessing the WeBuy system, please submit an eTicket under the Finance category.
General Training Resources
Role-Based Training
Shoppers
Shoppers will learn how to access catalogs, use shopping carts, receive orders, and work with Approvers and Suppliers to enable the shopping process in WeBuy.
Approvers
Approvers will learn how to approve a shopping cart and be able to recognize when you have a pending approval waiting for your action.
Frequently Asked Questions
To view each answer, click on the questions below:
+ What is WeBuy?
WeBuy is the district’s project to fully implement the online shopping features within our SAP Procurement system using a module called Supplier Relationship Management (SRM). WeBuy will enable those who currently purchase goods and services in all of the district’s schools and departments to browse vendor-maintained catalogs with pre-negotiated pricing that takes advantage of our collective purchasing power. WeBuy will reduce the burden for shoppers to research sources whenever they wish to buy something, because suppliers will have already been vetted and the necessary contracts will already be in place. Shoppers will simply browse and select catalog items to load their online shopping cart before sending it electronically for approval – usually by their Principal or Manager. The process will be paperless and faster for everyone.
+ Why is MPS moving to online shopping?
Online shopping with SAP/SRM will allow the entire district to benefit from better purchasing analytics, improved transparency and compliance, and lower negotiated pricing based on our collective purchasing power.
+ What if I need something that’s not available in one of the online catalogs? Can I just buy it from my favorite vendor?
The district’s introduction of online shopping does not intend to block MPS shoppers from buying from any specific vendors - and you will still be able to buy from familiar suppliers, but a few things need to be considered as you work with vendors:
- If the vendor has an online catalog within the MPS SAP/SRM system, always use that route to purchase what you need.
- If the vendor does not have an online catalog with us yet, have them work with the MPS Procurement team to have their goods and services added to SRM as an electronic catalog if possible.
- Finally, you can still order what you need using a process called a “Free Text Shopping Cart” where you describe what you need and the Procurement Department helps you source that need. The goods and services may or may not come from the exact same supplier as before, but the Procurement team is committed to helping you get what you need as quickly as possible, at a fair price. This process will be covered in the training class.
+ I went to training a long time ago, can I get a refresher?
Yes. Most of the materials covered in the training courses, as well as reference guides, helpful articles, and ‘how to” instructions will be made available to you after training via the WeBuy page on The Source.
+ Who do I call if I get stuck using the new process?
Please call the MPS Procurement Team at (612) 668-5400 or email the Procurement team at procurement@mpls.k12.mn.us.
+ What is the future for Novatus?
Novatus is being used for Operations contracts only.