March 2013
1 post
9 tags
Mar 25th
February 2013
1 post
4 tags
Time Flies When You're Having Fun
The fact that we are approaching another year-end already, is blowing my mind a little bit.  Has it really been a year?! And so it begins… reminder notifications, procedure prep, document review, etttt-cetera..! In some off-beat/warped kind of way, I look forward to this time of year. I can only assume it’s the anticipation of starting a big challenge and knowing there will...
Feb 20th
2 notes
January 2013
2 posts
5 tags
P0001 Tips →
We’ve posted some pretty handy tips on completing/submitting P0001 forms. Make sure you check them out here. As always, let us know if you’ve got any burning questions!
Jan 30th
4 tags
I’m having one of those “oh *&$%” kind of afternoons. Maybe you’ve had one? I’ll tell you why mine is occurring. We ran some testing in one of our PeopleSoft environments (obviously because we were feeling ambitious, it is Thursday after all), which triggered a dispatch of SEVERAL very old purchase orders. Maybe you’ve guessed this already, but...
Jan 10th
December 2012
1 post
10 tags
It's the Happiest Time of the Year!
This week is one for reflection, celebration, regular routines and cramming. It’s the last week before Queen’s Christmas break, and Christmas in itself! Attendance is slightly lower than usual, which means some of those left to man the ship might have a few extra tasks on their plate this week. Our group is 100% dedicated….. to keeping our lunch reservations this afternoon....
Dec 18th
November 2012
1 post
5 tags
Nov 27th
October 2012
5 posts
7 tags
Requisition Submission Tip!
Ever since the beginning of PS, we’ve experienced a regular (as well as sporadic) batch process failure in relation to the approval of Pending Purchase Requisitions. I use terms such as regular and sporadic because this failure has been happening ever since PS go-live but might occur anywhere from 3 times in one day to only once a week, etc. To sum, I can’t really predict it. ...
Oct 23rd
5 tags
Did you know?
Are you looking to buy small quantities of chemicals, solvents and lab supplies at competitive prices through a convenient location here at Queen’s? Look no further than Science Stores in Chernoff Hall or the DBMS Biobar/Microstore in Botterell Hall! They will hook.you.up.  
Oct 17th
Oct 12th
4 tags
We ask WHY?
Even though this week has been a short one (coming off the long Thanksgiving weekend), it has been filled with challenge and entertainment! There’s been one burning question I’ve been presented with on several occasions this week: “Why do we need to submit a Purchase Requisition (PO)?” I went on a slight rant about this topic in a previous post (Cheque Requisitions vs....
Oct 12th
4 tags
Oct 10th
2 notes
September 2012
1 post
5 tags
Requisition Email Notifications - Temporary...
I have Requisition Email Notification news. Do we want to hear the positive or the not-so positive news first? I tend to request the not-so positive news first, so the information-unloading can end on a somewhat uplifting note. Hope I’m not alone in this train of thought. Not-so positive news: Lately, PeopleSoft has been testing my patience. The email notification process has decided to take a...
Sep 12th
3 notes
July 2012
1 post
1 tag
Warning Messages - Requisition Submissions
I’m going to go out on a limb here and assume most of you have received at least one warning message when attempting to save your Requisition in PS… true? Let’s cease the confusion and wonderment, and decipher some of these warning messages here and now! Ever had this one?: “Warning: Invalid chartfields combination on line number:1, schedule number:1, distribution line...
Jul 16th
June 2012
1 post
2 tags
Jun 1st
May 2012
3 posts
We survived!
We haven’t closed every door or written the final page of this year-end’s chapter just yet, but the big hurdles are done! Congratulations are due for every team member involved - there were hour-long phone calls, SO many emails and some head-scratching meetings…. but we came out on the other side with positive results and a few high fives. Who could ask for more? Lessons were...
May 29th
“Knowledge is power, community is strength and positive attitude is everything.”
– Lance Armstrong
May 29th
What a wild time of year here in Procurement! Need some help surviving through year-end? Good news - Operating Requisition Blackout Period has ended today! If you need your access back for Req submissions (to order through Operating accounts) send me an email with the request and your User ID. We’ll get you back in business. Research users unfortunately have to wait a little bit...
May 2nd
April 2012
1 post
2 tags
Amount vs. Quantity Requisitions
Amount vs. Quantity? Sound odd? There are two ways you, as Requestors, can set your Purchase Requisitions up. Your decision should really boil down to how you expect invoicing to shake out. Yes, I said shake out. Amount Orders:                 Setting your Requisition up by AMOUNT is the best option when you are creating the order to pay for a service, or you have been quoted a set price for a...
Apr 2nd
March 2012
2 posts
3 tags
It happens every year.
Yep - it’s coming… The most anticipated time of year in Finance/Procurement’s world. From my view-point, that is. Year-End. We’ve been prepping for a few months now. How have I been gearing up for it?: Finalizing the Procurement/Budget close plan document - confirming dates, contacts, etc. Reviewing all open Purchase Orders/Requisitions, determining whether they...
Mar 21st
Adding Comments/Attachments to your Requisition
Quite often, a PO needs to be sent “out the door” with specific instructions for the vendor, or  references to a quote/email, etc. We’re in luck! PeopleSoft Purchasing allows us to add comments and upload documents to our Requisitions/Purchase Orders. Some of us are talkers, right? The words that come out of our mouths sometimes seem endless… our friends/colleagues/family members love us for it....
Mar 9th
February 2012
3 posts
SPS Facebook Page  →
One of our main goals in Procurement is to continuously improve the lines of communication with our clients (you got it —> you!). We thought to ourselves, what better way to share information, tips, fun pictures and advice than on Facebook? So we’ve done it - joined the social media realm even further.. Welcome to Strategic Procurement Services’ Facebook page! We’ll be...
Feb 28th
Had a great Requisition training session this morning! Thanks to the smart Requisitioners in attendance - I’m assuming you’re all pros now and I would highly recommend you start referring to yourself as Master Requisitioners. It only seems right. Let me know if you are interested in attending a session. Either as a refresher, or you’re new to the whole process and need to attend...
Feb 16th
PS Vendors - Searching/Adding
Ever logged into PeopleSoft, opened up a fresh Requisition screen, entered a couple fields and then found yourself searching and searching for the vendor to assign on the order… but you can’t find it!? Possible scenarios: -        Are you looking for the name of your vendor through the “Vendor ID” field? You’ll have a heck of a time finding it if this is your approach. If you know the vendor...
Feb 2nd
January 2012
3 posts
3 tags
Terminology
PeopleSoft terms can be cryptic. I kind of felt like I was learning a new language when PS came into our lives. Made me think back to highschool French class and wonder the same things I wondered then… Would it ever sink in?? Bad news? I still don’t know French that well… good news? PeopleSoft was much easier to learn. A couple terms you will want to become familiar with as Requestors: -         ...
Jan 13th
Cheque Requisitions Vs. Purchase Requisitions
This is such a common thread! I’m going to go as far as saying that this topic comes up at least twice a week in my conversations with Requestors. Why can’t I just submit a Cheque Requisition? Ever found yourself asking this very question? You are not alone! Queen’s Finance/Procurement is attempting to move away from your typical Cheque Req. situation – when I say this, I refer to those that...
Jan 3rd
“We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list...”
Jan 3rd
December 2011
3 posts
Strategic Procurement Services Website →
Perhaps you already have Procurement’s website bookmarked in your favourites, and you peruse it everyday..? If you don’t, however, give it a look. We’ve provided information on how to buy certain commodities, which forms to fill out for certain requests and most recently we’ve posted a list of Queen’s preferred vendors (VORs, for short - Vendors of Record).
Dec 13th
2 tags
P2P - A Quick Overview
It’s important for us to briefly chat about the P2P process before we delve into the nitty gritty details. Maybe you’re wondering what P2P even stands for? You’re saying… “Nicki, slow down… English please”. P2P  = Purchase to Pay. Let’s explore this process, in relation to Queen’s People Soft practices. To kick-off, Requestors (yes, you!) determine a requirement for departmental goods or...
Dec 9th
4 tags
Welcome!
Hi! Around Queen’s University campus I’m known as Nicki Mundell and my home is within Strategic Procurement Services. Responsibilities of mine reside under the roll of Procurement Systems Administrator…. extraordinaire? OK, that last bit might be more wishful thinking, than reality. I enthusiastically welcome you to my blog site, as I’m an avid believer in...
Dec 7th