How SMART Connect Transformed a School’s Ordering Process

From 4-Hour Ordering Sessions to One-Click Efficiency: How SMART Connect Transformed a School’s Ordering Process

Running a school means juggling countless responsibilities — from managing budgets to supporting teachers and students. Ordering supplies should be the easy part. But for many schools, it’s often the opposite.

We recently spoke with one of our customers, Shannon Barden, Procurement and Contract Manager, PCLC Trust, who shared just how challenging the ordering process used to be — and how integrating IRIS with Findel has completely changed the game.

The Old Way: Hours Lost to Manual Ordering

"I usually spend four hours at the end of every couple of weeks — from 8am to 12pm — just on ordering," she told us.

Her school regularly purchases from brands under the Findel family like gls, Hope, Philip Harris, and Davies Sports, but ordering through each of these brands used to mean:

• Logging into multiple websites

• Searching resources for brands individually

• Typing out every single item on FMS manually

• Getting approval

• Finally logging back in brands website to place the order individually

This wasn’t just her time being consumed. Every staff member involved in ordering faced the same frustrations. The process was repetitive, admin-heavy, and far from efficient.

The Breakthrough: Complete integration with Findel & IRIS FMS

Everything changed when they integrated their IRIS FMS system with the Findel SMART Connect e-procurement solution.

Now, staff can simply add items straight into their basket. The order automatically routes into the IRIS FMS for approval — no more retyping or duplicating work.

"If they’ve got the budget, I just need to click a box to say approved. Then the order goes straight to Findel. No back-and-forth, no middleman. That saves me 10–15 minutes on every large order. "

The Results: Time Saved, Focus Restored

Instead of spending hours on admin, orders can now be placed in one system, approved in a click, and sent directly to Findel.

"It’s saving a lot of admin time. I’m able to focus on the other parts of my job instead of being buried in ordering."

The benefits are clear:

• True one-stop-shop – access everything your school needs from a trusted supplier

• Handle orders from all of Findel’s brands in one streamlined system

• Faster approval process

• Reduced duplication and manual entry

• Staff time freed up to focus on what really matters

A Recommendation for Schools That Are Using IRIS FMS

Her advice to other schools was simple:

"If you’re on IRIS FMS, I would highly recommend completing the integration with Findel. It’s a true one-stop-shop for all education resources."

With e-procurement, schools can save valuable hours, cut out unnecessary admin, and ensure staff energy is spent where it matters most — supporting education.

👉 Ready to simplify your school’s ordering? Complete the enquiry form below and our team will contact you to arrange set up. Alternatively, you can call us on 03451 203 210 or chat with us online using the icon.