Operations Team News and Guidance

Operations Team Guidance and Updates 

The CPS Operations Team helpdesk is operational from 9am until 4.30pm weekdays

Please reach out to us on 02890 475010 for advice and guidance on all your ordering needs. 

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Requirement of Official Purchase Orders (June 2026)

Schools/end-users are reminded that most orders to suppliers require an official purchase order as generated on iProcurement. Exceptions to this can be found in the iProcurement Frequently Asked Questions. 

Orders should not be requested directly with suppliers via telephone or email. 

Suppliers must only deliver upon receipt of an official EA Purchase Order. 

To avoid delays in supplier payments, please ensure all required purchase order information is completed accurately. This includes delivery instructions, school closure notifications and up-to-date contact details, particularly during the summer months and school holiday periods.

The CPS Operations Team will continue to support the creation of purchase orders generated from non-catalogue requisitions. These requests will be progressed in date order.

Helpdesk call volumes remain high. We will continue to answer as many calls as possible and appreciate your patience while we respond to enquiries.

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The Commercial Procurement Services (CPS) Operations Team are hosting a series of informal Ordering Drop-In Sessions.

These sessions are designed to support all iProcurement users with their ordering needs (sourcing, contract advice, ordering protocols) – including schools and corporate staff. These sessions are a great opportunity to:

  • Chat about ordering procedures and best practices.
  • Get help with ordering queries directly in iProcurement.
  • Ask questions and troubleshoot issues with our team.

Session Details:

All sessions will take place via Microsoft Teams – just click the link to join.

Whether you’re new to ordering or just need a refresher, we’re here to make the process easier and more efficient for you. Just register and simply drop in at a time that suits you!

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Operations Team's FAQ’s provide guidance and assist with common queries. 

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Order Cancellations 

Use the email address to submit a cancellation request for orders generated on iProcurement: ordercancellations@eani.org.uk.

Guidance for Purchase Order Cancellations outlines the order cancellation process for EA Schools and EA Corporate customers. 

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Guidance for New Supplier Creation/Amendments to Existing Suppliers on iProcurement

Please find attached guidance on new supplier creation requests and requests to amend an existing supplier, on the iProcurement system. 

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iProcurement System

iProcurement is available to access externally. Please ensure that all open Orders are also checked to ensure any goods that have been received are receipted.

There are a number of guidance notes available on the EA website regarding the new Integrated Finance System.  

Please go to the link Here to view and download copies of these guidance notes. 

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Contract Schedules

EACPS would recommend that you access the most recent schedules prior to raising a requisition, via the iProcurement system to ensure that the items you require are still available. 

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Delivery of Goods to Schools and other EA locations from Great Britain

For the attention of requisitioners and budget holders – as you are aware new rules came into effect on 1 January 2021 in relation to the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Please review the information on ordering goods from Great Britain prior to placing orders with non-contract suppliers in Great Britain.