ART - The Basics of the NIGP Code 2011

The document is an article titled "The basics of the NIGP Code" written by John Walters. The article discusses the NIGP Code, which is a coding taxonomy used to classify products and services procured by state and local governments in the United States. The NIGP Code was developed in the mid-1980s and is now the standard classification taxonomy for 33 states and thousands of local entities. The article explains the structure of the NIGP Code, which includes 3-digit, 5-digit, 7-digit, and 11-digit codes, and how it is used to track spend data and automate procurement processes. The article also discusses the various ways to access the NIGP Code, including through a web search tool and printed formats. The article emphasizes the importance of making the NIGP Code "sticky" within organizations and highlights its role in vendor registration, inventory management, and strategic sourcing. The author, John Walters, is the president of NIGP Code Services at Periscope Holdings.