Supplier Merge Campaign: improving data quality in Quantum

At the start of 2025, the GSSC, UNDP Country Offices and Regional Bureaux identified an opportunity to further strengthen supplier data quality within UNDP’s Enterprise Resource Planning platform, Quantum. Over time, some duplicate supplier records—carried over from UNDP’s legacy ERP platform, ATLAS—had accumulated, affecting the efficiency of invoice processing and procurement activities. 

To address this, the GSSC launched the Supplier Merge Campaign—a coordinated, system‑wide initiative engaging Quantum agencies and Country Offices to consolidate supplier records, enhance data accuracy, and support smoother, more efficient procurement processes. 

Running from March to June 2025, the campaign achieved a remarkable scale. It targeted 135 countries, with 132 providing data, and resulted in more than 5,238 supplier merge transactions completed across UNDP, UNFPA, UN Women, and other Quantum agencies. Support was offered in English, French, Spanish, and Arabic to ensure clarity and inclusivity for all participants. 

“The campaign helped the Turkmenistan Country Office staff involved in supplier updates better understand the importance of identifying duplicate suppliers and how the supplier merge process works in Quantum. Regular follow-ups with the GSSC team and monthly coordination meetings helped us track progress and coordinate with UNFPA colleagues,” said Aygul Atabayeva, Procurement Associate, UNDP Turkmenistan. 

GSSC focal points in Kuala Lumpur, Amman, Dakar, and Panama played a pivotal role throughout the process. They hosted webinars, provided one-on-one support, shared step-by-step guides, and made recorded training sessions available. This proactive engagement reduced confusion, strengthened participation, and kept momentum high.  

“The supplier merging exercise required extensive collaboration between the GSSC and Country Offices, including detailed reviews, identification of duplicates across agencies, and close coordination to determine the correct active records. Despite the complexity of the work, the campaign team showed strong commitment and professionalism by engaging proactively with UNDP Country Offices and partner agencies, maintaining clear and consistent communication, and providing hands-on, real-time support. This approach ensured a smooth process and successfully achieved the campaign’s data quality objectives,” said Rami Othman, GSSC Client Services Manager.  

The impact of the campaign goes beyond a cleaner database. Removing duplicate supplier records directly improves day-to-day operations. It reduces errors when creating invoices and purchase orders, speeds up processing, simplifies supplier selection, and lowers the risk of selecting the wrong vendor.  

“The UNDP Supplier Merge initiative helped streamline collaboration and communication among UN agencies using Quantum, making the overall process smoother and more efficient. It became much easier to identify active suppliers, reduce duplicate records, and ensure data accuracy. As a result, daily operations improved, risks were reduced, and teams felt more confident that supplier information is reliable and up to date for their day-to-day work.” Said Rami Dababneh, ICT and Administrative Associate, UNFPA Jordan.    

This effort does not stop here. Supplier merging will now become an annual practice. Country Offices are trained to identify duplicates, request merges correctly, and coordinate with other agencies. Continued engagement from Headquarters and the Office of Procurement will reinforce future phases. 

The Supplier Merge Campaign delivered tangible results and strengthened system-wide efficiency. It stands as a clear example of the collective effort in driving operational excellence and laying the foundation for continuous improvement.