NMSDC Transformation Informational Hub

The NMSDC Transformation Informational Hub will be your one-stop shop for all things NMSDC transformation. If you have questions that are not addressed below, please email us at transformationoffice@nmsdc.org and we will be happy to get those answers to you.

Certification Modernization Project Timeline

Below is our current Zoho CRM implementation project timeline with our implementation partner iDatalytics.

Please Note: The use of AdaptOne for search, certification, and reporting will be terminated as a part of this project.

Certification Migration/Implementation Schedule

Wave 1 (January)

  • Chicago MSDC.
  • Mid-States MSDC.

Wave 2 (February)

  • Eastern MSDC.
  • Northwest Mountain MSDC.
  • Ohio MSDC.
  • Puerto Rico
  • Southern California MSDC.
  • TriState MSDC.

Wave 3 (March)

  • Florida State MSDC.
  • New York & New Jersey MSDC.
  • North Central MSDC.
  • Southern Region MSDC.
  • Southwest MSDC.

Wave 4 (May)

  • Georgia MSDC.
  • Greater New England MSDC.
  • Houston MSDC.
  • Michigan MSDC.
  • Mountain Plains MSDC.

Wave 5 (June)

  • Capital Region MSDC.
  • Carolinas-Virginia MSDC.
  • Dallas-Fort Worth MSDC.
  • Pacific Southwest MSDC.
  • Western Regional MSDC.

(Schedule is subject to change based on the needs of the project.)

Latest News

Spotlight on Zoho

With over 55 apps in nearly every major business category, Zoho is one of the world’s most prolific technology companies. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, with international headquarters in Chennai, India, Zoho is privately held and profitable with more than 12,000 employees. Its CRM platform allows organizations to harness the power of omnichannel presence, segmentation, KPIs, predictive intelligence, and more to deliver personalized experiences that breed customer loyalty. For more information, please visit www.zoho.com.

Spotlight on iDatalytics

Based in Overland Park, Kansas, iDatalytics is an NMSDC-certified MBE and full-service technology solution consulting provider catering to the diverse needs of clients across the globe. It believes in offering transformational information management solutions to its clients, aptly reflected in its mission statement, “To serve as the catalyst for transforming information into insights for the connected world.” Learn more at www.idatalytics.com.

New Feature Spotlights

Below are new features we’re excited about implementing as part of the CRM modernization:

 

UNSPSC Codes

NMSDC is adding new a criteria option to the search tool and certification process. The United Nations Standard Product and Services Codes (UNSPSC) are managed by the GS1 US for the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and represent open, global, multi-sector standards for efficient, accurate classification of products and services.  This system allows for a single global classification system that can be used for

  • Company-wide visibility of spend of analysis
  • Cost-effective procurement optimization
  • A full exploration of electronic commerce capabilities

The system uses a five-level hierarchical classification code set that allows for grouping levels relevant to needs. For more information on the codes and to download a list of current codes visit https://www.unspsc.org

We have included this new code to create a more detailed description of service offerings and expand the matching opportunities. There will be more information coming to explain how MBEs will be given the option of adding this additional code to their profiles in the coming weeks.

MBE Search

This new search tool will centralize our network into one database allowing for an improved user experience, streamlined system updates, and more cost-effective platform for our network overall.

In the coming weeks, we will be sending out various communications to keep the network abreast of important dates and information regarding the deployment. The next communication to be released will provide a calendar of the planned training sessions that members will be able to sign up for in preparation of this deployment. Please keep an eye out for these training dates and be ready to sign up for the session that best fits your schedule.

Previous Transformation Informational Webinars

Below are several past webinars that we have held to provide updates to various stakeholders.

NMSDC's New MBE Search

February 2024

Certification Update Meeting for RMSDCs

January 2024

Download the Slide Deck

Transforming Access and Expanding Opportunities

October 2023

Certification Project Update

October 2023

Download the Slide Deck

Certification Project Update for Regional Councils

August 2023

Transformation Plan Huddle: Where We’ve Been, Where We’re Going

July 2023

Member Transformation Update Webinar

May 2023

NMSDC Transformation Plan Webinar

April 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are frequently asked questions that have come up over the last several months. If you have a question that is not addressed below, please email us at transformationoffice@nmsdc.org.

For a full listing of our frequently asked questions, please see our NMSDC Transformation Frequently Asked Questions PDF. If you have a question that is not addressed, please email us at transformationoffice@nmsdc.org.

How will NMSDC determine the staffing requirements and potential employment opportunities for the new certification processes?

Staffing requirements will be based on the new certification and certification renewal workload being migrated from the councils by wave. Staffing will be slightly frontloaded to allow ample time for staff members to gain experience with the processes, tools, and system. Time will also be planned for significant training, approvals/quality audits, and feedback activity.

NMSDC Human Resources will facilitate the hiring and onboarding of staff based on the implementation plan and existing hiring procedures. Additional communications regarding hiring needs and schedules are planned for the regional councils in the event any existing certification staff wish to be considered for a role in the national certification team.

For more certification information related to the transformation, please see our NMSDC Transformation Frequently Asked Questions PDF.

Will there be a standardized cost for certification and recertification under NMSDC’s new certification process across the country? If so, what will that cost be?

Final decisions regarding standardizing rates have not been made at this time, although various options will be considered over the next several months, including the potential to charge by a combination of business structure and business size. We do expect to move to one pricing model that would govern certification for the network.

For more revenue and financial information related to the transformation, please see our NMSDC Transformation Frequently Asked Questions PDF.

How will NMSDC address regional vs corporate membership in the future to maintain flexible options relevant to their budget, geography, and goals?

We will be establishing more defined guidelines so that members do not need to secure membership both on the regional and national level which will assist members with their budgetary constraints.

For more membership information related to the transformation, please see our NMSDC Transformation Frequently Asked Questions PDF.

How did NMSDC address concerns raised by regional affiliates?

When the concerns were raised as part of the work of the Certification workstream, we tried to address the concerns raised by the regional presidents and asked the regional affiliates to provide data on multiple occasions, however, we did not receive any. In an effort to keep the progress going, NMSDC conducted a separate data analysis to support the recommendation to the board.

Additionally, we held a focus group on the concerns, dedicated a special board meeting to address them, held an in-person meeting in Phoenix, 2-day strategy session in January, and we’ve held monthly touch bases. A senior vice president of network success position was also created as a liaison to the regional affiliate presidents to ensure any ongoing concerns are addressed

For more general information related to the transformation, please see our NMSDC Transformation Frequently Asked Questions PDF.