To: Campus Unit Financial Leads
From: Janet Rupert, Director of Accounts Payable and Travel Services
Background. Accounts Payable, together with the ConnectCarolina team, is setting up a new Supplier Portal that will allow the key contact for a supplier to manage their banking information and addresses themselves. The new online option that allows suppliers to view and update their information will increase security of their banking information and reduce the need for suppliers to email, fax or mail changes to UNC employees.
Timing and Scope. Phase 1 will start March 9. During Phase 1, Accounts Payable will invite selected suppliers to the portal and will manage their onboarding process. The pilot group will be made up of 50 to 100 suppliers who are classified as “Outside Party” (not independent contractors or people who are otherwise affiliated with the University) and will be chosen by Accounts Payable staff.
Action Steps. We anticipate a minimum impact to you during Phase 1. As someone with access to add or update information about campus suppliers, you will see a new flag when reviewing a supplier on the Review Supplier page that identifies a supplier that is part of the pilot phase. Keep in mind, you will not be able to see the Supplier Portal in ConnectCarolina. You will not need to take any action with these suppliers, but if you receive questions from a supplier in the pilot program, you may refer them to supplierportal@unc.edu or have them call 919-843-5049.
During this pilot, if you need to add a new vendor or make changes to an existing vendor who isn’t a part of the pilot, you’ll continue to use the Campus Supplier page as you do today.
Training. For more information about the new portal and how the pilot will work, we will hold an online webinar at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 6, 2020, at the following link: https://unc.zoom.us/j/533873223. Stay tuned for more updates.
Next Steps. We anticipate that Phase 2 will begin later this year, after the Year-End close, when we will expand enrollment to this new service. More information will be provided at that time.