Announcing the launch of WestNet 1.0

A system, know as Grow-Net, was initially conceived by the Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) / Procurement Forum to provide a consolidated platform for corporate buyers to provide business opportunities to SMME’s – with a view to reaching their broad-based Black Economic Targets. It was unfortunate that the system’s functionality did not meet the specified requirements, and fell into disuse.

In July 2019, the Grow-Net system was handed over to the West Coast Business Development Centre (WCBDC) by the IDZ with the intention of their facilitating the development of a new system.

It is our pleasure to announce that an entirely new system – re-named WestNet – has been developed from the ground up and is now LIVE and ready for use by all stakeholders.

The new WestNet system is an enterprise and supplier development (ESD) initiative funded by the Western Cape Economic Development Partnership.

WestNet will serve as the primary “TRO and Communications (Tenders, Requests for Quotation, Opportunities)” system/platform for all stakeholders in the Saldanha Bay Municipal area.

WestNet will be facilitated by the WEST COAST BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE team.  They will provide support and assistance to all SMME’s, QSE’s and Corporates in the use of the WestNet system.

This Release 1.0 of the WestNet system has all the features specified for the old system, together with many extra enhancements.

The goals of WestNet

WestNet will serve as the preferred ESD and Communications’s platform for all stakeholders in the Saldanha Bay Municipal area – SMMEs, QSEs and Corporates.

WestNet does not replace their current procurement/supply chain processes. Participating companies and government entities will use WestNet in addition to their normal required supply chain management and, in this way, support more localised procurement.

WestNet’s main goal is to make it easy for all Corporates and QSEs to identify, select and support SMMEs through enterprise development and supplier development programmes and procurement opportunities. This, in turn, will help increase the number and value of business opportunities available to Saldanha SMMEs.

WestNet benefits

Major companies (Generics & QSE’s) in Saldanha will use WestNet to identify local SMMEs and inform them of business opportunities.

All registered SMME’s will have access to a range of local business opportunities – tenders, requests for quotation, opportunities such as training courses, and other business-related activities.

The WestNet system aims to support and benefit you, the Saldanha Bay SMME, in various ways.

With WestNet, you can:

• Register and set up your WestNet business profile in a few easy steps.  You can update your profile at any time and as many times as you like.
• Upload and maintain all your compliance documents for quoting and tenders, and even set expiry dates for documents so that you can see when to update.
• WestNet’s unique “Open for Business” feature means that if your profile includes all the required business information, plus the required compliance documents, you will be prioritised when a buyer conducts a search for suppliers within your industry.
• Your “Open for Business” status will be used by participating Corporates, QSE’S and entities such as Saldanha Bay Municipality, to find suitable local SMMEs (within industry sectors) for tenders and enterprise development;
• WestNet makes you more visible to all buyers (not only enterprise development managers). For example, your information will be visible to all other SMMEs who might want to source your goods and services.
• Add your customer references and testimonials to your profile, so that potential buyers can see details of the projects you have completed and have confidence in your abilities;
• Receive news and notices via email alerts for important business events, such as open days, training workshops, roadshows and sub-contracting opportunities for infrastructure projects;
• Access the WestNet system via any internet browser anywhere, anytime, using any business PC or Apple device. You can even use your smartphone to access your profile and see the TRO’s and other information.

 Critical Success Factors of the WestNet system

Any system anywhere in the world is only as good as it’s users. The ongoing success of the WestNet system depends upon:

• the registration on WestNet by as many SMME’s in the Saldanha Bay Municipality,  regardless of tender document compliance. WestNet is open to all SMME’s.
• corporates (Generics) and QSE’s actively and regularly using the system for all their TRO’s and to publish their business opportunities via WestNet.
• the timely and professional support and assistance by the facilitators to all levels of stakeholder.
• feedback and user requests for feature enhancements and additions to WestNet by all stakeholders.
• the ongoing funding for the hosting, support, maintenance and future development and growth of the WestNet system.

Access the WestNet system via the WCBDC website.

If yo have any queries/questions that you may have regarding the system please contact WCBDC on or call us on 022 714 1731.

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