Cooperative Purchasing Insights | OMNIA Partners

Part 3: Simplifying ESG Strategies for a Sustainable Transformation

May 10, 2023 / by Konica Minolta posted in K-12 Education, Business Products & Solutions, Local & State Government, Higher Education, Information Technology

Welcome to the third and final installment of our ESG series. The trilogy culminates with the topic (G) or Governance, painting the complete picture of the difficult undertaking organizations face on their path to create, launch, and manage a successful ESG program.

In our previous installments we outlined the areas that companies should be focusing on pertaining to the Environmental (E) and Social (S) elements of the newsworthy acronym. Each letter brings with it unique challenges that can impact everything from workplace culture and operational efficiencies to investor relations. Fortunately, solutions exist to ensure that data is accurately reported, and processes are well defined and consistent, while upholding privacy. In concert, this all leads to a brighter outcome for all.

7 Ways Procurement Teams Can Impact Workplace Safety All Year Long

May 2, 2023 / by Lawson Products posted in Facilities & Infrastructure, First Aid & Safety Solutions, Safety Supplies, Local & State Government, MRO

June is National Safety Month and it's a special time for organizations to raise awareness of the importance of safety in the workplace and their communities. According to the National Safety Council, a worker in the U.S. is injured on the job every seven seconds. Of course, providing safe environments for workers and the public is all of our jobs all year long, but procurement teams can significantly influence safety-related issues and initiatives. In this blog, Lawson Products and OMNIA Partners offer 7 proactive tips procurement officials can take to keep employees safe year-round.

How Can Public Sector Manage Their Storage Needs?

March 30, 2023 / by SHI posted in K-12 Education, Local & State Government, Higher Education, Information Technology

If you work at an education institution or a state or local government, then modern data storage poses a particular challenge to your organization. While it is challenging to identify all of the ways that data is utilized, it is critical to be mindful of how it is used, stored, and accessed. While understanding and managing your data may seem daunting, you can overcome the challenges ahead with proper knowledge and resources, from SHI and OMNIA Partners, who can help you through the whole process.

7 Tips for Wastewater Maintenance Amidst Labor Shortages and External Factors

March 1, 2023 / by Lawson Products posted in Facilities & Infrastructure, Local & State Government, MRO

Keeping wastewater treatment plants up and running, and delivering clean water to communities, while keeping pollutants out of the environment is a 24-hour-a-day, 365-days-a-year job. Aging infrastructure, climate challenges and labor shortages make it especially challenging for municipal water treatment plants to ensure the integrity and maintain the reliability of their facilities. Lawson Products, available through OMNIA Partners, shares 7 preventative maintenance tips that municipalities can benefit from to make sure treatment plants are operating smoothly and efficiently.

Streamline Your Furniture Buying Process Through a Cooperative

February 24, 2023 / by OMNIA Partners posted in Furniture & Workspace Solutions, Procurement, K-12 Education, Local & State Government, Higher Education, Furniture & Installation

Every space needs furniture to be functional. Without desks, your students can’t learn comfortably. Without cubicles, your employees can’t have their own workspace. Without dorm furniture, your university students can’t live on campus. Workspace solutions and interiors are the foundation of the functionality of agencies, schools, and universities.

State & Local Government Technology Outlook

February 1, 2023 / by DLT posted in Local & State Government, Information Technology

The National Association of State Chief Information Officers conducted a survey, which assessed state CIOs’ thoughts on a wide array of topics that affect their roles as public sector technology and business leaders in today’s modern world. CIOs identified digital government services and the citizen experience, legacy modernization, broadband expansion and adoption, and expansion of remote and hybrid work options as their highest-priority to implement. Cybersecurity also ranked as the top concern for state governments, which was captured in the 2022 Deloitte-NASCIO Cybersecurity Study.

Part 2: Simplifying ESG Strategies for a Sustainable Transformation

January 6, 2023 / by Konica Minolta posted in K-12 Education, Business Products & Solutions, Local & State Government, Higher Education, Information Technology

Human beings are social creatures by nature. We work in teams. We collaborate with peers. We rely on others to help us when working together towards a common goal. So, it should be no surprise that organizations are now focusing on the social aspects of their internal environment as new ESG policies and programs are being created.

Simplifying ESG Strategies for a Sustainable Transformation

December 8, 2022 / by Konica Minolta posted in K-12 Education, Business Products & Solutions, Local & State Government, Higher Education, Information Technology

Operational efficiencies are always at the forefront for agencies to improve their profitability and to take advantage of new technologies to make their business process accelerate.

But, more and more, investors, customers and regulators have their eye on how businesses are addressing their internal processes under the lens of Environmental/Social/Governance concerns. No action, no performance reporting – sends a poor signal to the community and sets an agency up for financial risk as they are evaluated by their ESG scores.

Extinguish Risks of Ransomware Attacks from Spreading Like Wildfire

November 30, 2022 / by Ricoh posted in K-12 Education, Business Products & Solutions, Local & State Government, Higher Education, Information Technology

Ransomware and an office fire are a lot alike. And protecting against a ransomware attack is a lot like fire-proofing your office. In this blog, you will learn about potential gaps in your system's ransomware safeguards, and how Ricoh can help participants of OMNIA Partners fill these gaps and enhance their network security through RansomCare services.

Email Security: More Complicated Than You Think

October 1, 2022 / by SHI posted in Local & State Government, Information Technology

Protecting your public agency from malicious threats can be a daunting task, especially as cyberattacks grow more sophisticated. With most vital communication during the pandemic conducted via email, the need for more advanced email security solutions has become more urgent.

The pandemic led to an influx of opportunistic cybercriminals as well as new vulnerabilities caused by an unprecedented hybrid workforce. In the height of it all, Google found malware and phishing emails directly related to COVID-19, and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) was forced to warn the public of phishing attacks. While cybercriminals continue to be on the rise, SHI, through the OMNIA Partners program, provides agencies with a portfolio of cybersecurity solutions to protect your organization before a threat!

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