The University of Akron, as a member of the Ohio Inter-University Council Purchasing Group (IUCPG), has bid and awarded a “premier” office supply agreement to Guy Brown Express, an Ohio Minority Business Enterprise company, and its wholesale partner OfficeDepot. This agreement complements directives by the governor’s office as well as the Board of Regents to reduce redundant costs at the universities and colleges throughout the state of Ohio. The goal of this agreement is to leverage the office supply expendituresfor all the Ohio schools so that we can receive the best program available. Furthermore, by consolidating and tracking information moving forward we will be able to gather the appropriate data necessary to continuously receive the best programs possible.

The University of Akron andGBEX LLC, along with its wholesale distributor OfficeDepot, has developed a personalized office supply program for online office supply ordering. Below are some other benefits you can expect:

  • Convenient and customized online ordering experience
  • Free next-day delivery
  • No minimum orders
  • Proactive order notifications via e-mail acknowledgments
  • Discounts up to 70 percent off of manufacturer’s list price
  • Discounts at Office Depot Max retail stores using retail connect card
  • Excellent customer service – 98%done in one call center
  • Support a relationship with a state-certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Encouraging Diversity and Equity Growth (EDGE) partner

All orders entered by 4 pm will be delivered next day to Central Stores and delivered by University personnel the same day to the departments. The campus has the option to browse the OfficeDepot Catalog online to view contract pricing and item availability. Items cannot be ordered from this site this is used to browse the catalog. Click here to access and view the catalog and use the following login information to access the catalog:

user name uoabrowser

password uoabrowse1

Each campus user’s online ordering profile is tailored to meet their specific needs:

  • the orders can be routed to an approver prior to submitting the order
  • multiple delivery addresses can be added to the profile
  • Departmental P-cards are required to order office supplieson the ESM easyPurchase website.

The ESM easyPurchase program is a spend management suite to automate our “procure-to-pay” process. The University expects to see cost savings through online ordering from contracted supplier catalogs, as well as overall process improvements by using this application. The ESM easyPurchase programworks best with Firefox, IE 910 and Chrome. If you experience difficulty accessing the ESM easyPurchase website, please make sure your pop-up blocker is turned off. If you continue to experience difficulty please contact ESM Support at .

Office Depot has provided The University of Akron with a Store Purchasing Card (SPC) that can be used in all OfficeMax and OfficeDepot stores. The SPC is tax exempt and provides access to the University's contract pricing. If an item is needed for the office asap and cannot wait for next day delivery, you may print the card and use it in conjunction with the University Credit Card at any OfficeMax/OfficeDepot retail locations.This card maybe printed and laminated free of cost at any OfficeMax/OfficeDepot location, you may access the card here.

If you need assistance with ordering office supplies please call the Department of Purchasing, at ext 7340.