When a payment card is being developed, the debate is always the same : it is difficult for the cardholders’ network to expand for lack of an adequate acceptance network, and it is difficult for the acceptance network to develop since there are few cardholders. Over years, however, specialists in electronic banking have noted that the acceptance network had to be emphasized.

The suppliers’ membership to the purchasing card is widely based on the explanation approach that the company or the public entity will undertake. It appears however that this action is inadequate for a quick development. In this emerging market context, where the card is still not very well known by the market sector and therefore not used in trading relationships , purchasing agents, financial institutions and service providers should concentrate their efforts on more collective actions of explanation, support and referencing.

The purpose of the APECA suppliers’ club, created in April 2007, is to undertake these actions and to offer suppliers – purchasing card affiliated or wishing to become so – a special place to share ideas.

Coordinators:

Eric Duverger, E-business sales manager  - Manutan
Evelyne Crochet, Administration and Strategic Accounts Process manager - Radiospares.

The purposes of the Club:

• to share our experience,
• to get information about the market, the branches of industry,
• to have the possibility to get involved as a dynamic actor,
• to take part in the expansion of the purchasing card ,
• to define the best practices,
• to facilitate the work of the APECA committees,
• to meet in a friendly atmosphere.

The following main future actions have been defined by the participating suppliers :

● to reduce the costs related to financial institutions,

● to assist the buyers who decide to start up a purchasing card project,

● to assist suppliers for the acceptance of the purchasing card,

● to lobby the institutions

● to create a suppliers’ charter.

The next meeting of the Club will take place on  June 2009.

If you are a supplier who would like to join this Club, please contact Solange Ligeret, General Secretary.