“U-Count,” the University’s cost-reduction initiative, has a newly launched website – ucount.uconn.edu. The site is a one-stop resource center for news and information regarding efforts to achieve cost savings when it comes to purchasing at UConn.

In keeping with a cost-reduction and efficiency effort undertaken last year in connection with the McKinsey report, faculty and staff at the Storrs, regional, and Health Center campuses developed Category Sourcing Teams to review current spending in specific category areas. The teams are exploring cost reduction and business process opportunities to increase efficiencies and save university money.

The initial ‘wave’ of six teams began in August 2011 to evaluate procurement methods related to furniture, laboratory supplies, office supplies, information technology hardware, telecommunications, and janitorial supplies.

The new site features announcements and updates in these key areas, as well as the appropriate contacts in the Office of Procurement Services so faculty and staff can stay up to date and informed.

“Our purchasing unit must become the leader in finding ways to save millions of dollars for UConn,” says Barry Feldman, UConn’s vice president and chief operating officer. “The creation of category sourcing teams and the U-Count website are among the first very important actions the University must take to realize its savings goal.”

The second wave of teams convened in January 2012 and are reviewing audio/visual equipment, dining services, travel, and facilities maintenance, repair, and operation. More teams will form in the coming months to develop standards for additional goods and services, based on current purchasing trends and business needs.