Central Community College's (CCC) paper-based procurement processes created lengthy approval cycles, limited visibility into spending, and resulted in administrative burdens across multiple campuses. Faculty and staff needed a more efficient way to purchase goods and services while maintaining financial controls and compliance.
CCC implemented Ellucian Purchase, and later expanded capabilities through Central Workspace [Ellucian Experience]. The integrated solution automated workflows, centralized purchasing, and provided real-time budget and procurement visibility.
- Modernize procurement processes
- Improve financial transparency
- Reduce administrative burden
- Accelerate purchasing and approvals
- Support student success through operational efficiency
Purchasing isn't just about procurement or IT — it's about customers and customer service. It's about our staff, our students, and the vendors that rely on us to make the process smooth and efficient."
Modernizing Procurement Across Campus
At Central Community College, procurement supports everything from classroom supplies to major capital projects. However, manual processes and paper-based workflows often delayed purchases and made it difficult for users to track requests and spending.
Recognizing the need for a more modern experience, CCC partnered with Ellucian and ESM Solutions to transform procurement. By implementing Ellucian Purchase and Central Workspace, the college replaced manual processes with automated workflows, digital approvals, and real-time financial visibility.
"Faculty and staff are accustomed to a consumer-grade purchasing experience that's flexible, fast, and transparent," said Taylor. "We wanted to bring those same expectations into our internal purchasing processes."
Today, faculty and staff can access approved suppliers, track requests, view budgets, and complete purchases through a centralized experience. AI-powered quote processing further reduces manual work by automatically converting supplier quotes into purchase requisitions.
Results
The transformation has delivered measurable benefits across the institution:
- Improved user experience: Staff quickly adopted the new system, citing its ease of use and intuitive workflows compared to previous manual, paper-based processes.
- Greater visibility into purchasing activities: Employees can now track the status of transactions in real time, eliminating uncertainty and reducing the need for follow-up inquiries.
- Streamlined IT purchasing: The IT team created pre-approved lists for commonly purchased items, such as PC accessories and cables, enabling faster purchasing within established budget guidelines.
- Faster reporting and better spend visibility: Staff can access spending information directly without requesting manual reports. Monthly purchasing reports that once took two to three days to compile can now be completed in approximately 20 minutes using automated reporting tools.
- Reduced administrative burden: Automated workflows and approvals have eliminated time-consuming paperwork, manual routing, and outdated processes, allowing employees to focus on higher-value work.
- Increased operational efficiency: By modernizing procurement, CCC has saved countless staff hours while ensuring employees can quickly obtain the resources they need to support teaching, learning, and student success.
The solution has also helped CCC support major construction and workforce development projects while maintaining procurement efficiency and meeting deadlines.
Beyond operational improvements, the college has leveraged strategic purchasing programs to generate rebate revenue that is now being reinvested to expand financial assistance for the student body.
"We've intentionally directed those funds back into scholarships for our students," Taylor said. "It's making it possible for more students to actually attend classes."
Looking Ahead
With Ellucian Purchase and Central Workspace, Central Community College has transformed procurement into a strategic service that empowers employees, strengthens financial stewardship, and allows more institutional resources to be directed toward student success.