Mission Critical: VTEX and Loop Integration unlock a new phase for Project N95 with an online marketplace

Thanks to VTEX, we are able to more effectively supply PPE through an online marketplace amid ongoing shortages and protect more people.

Anne Miller, Executive Director, Project N95

Respirators, isolation gowns and ecommerce

Project N95 is the National Critical Equipment Clearinghouse in the U.S. for personal protective equipment (PPE) and critical medical equipment. In response to the outbreak of COVID-19, the volunteer-led organization came together with the mission of serving doctors, nurses, hospitals and healthcare systems, including nursing homes, and other care facilities, all in need of PPE. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, Project N95 distinguishes itself in the market through its rigorous vetting and rapid response to an ever-growing influx of nationwide requests. Frontline and healthcare organizations submit their critical equipment needs and suppliers seek to fulfill those needs with the products they have available. The Project N95 team conducts sourcing due diligence on all suppliers and products to accelerate informed procurement decisions, quickly and at often reduced  pricing. 

As the COVID-19 crisis continued, Project N95 sought increasingly efficient and effective ways to source and deliver PPE to the frontline, so Executive Director, Anne Miller reached out to Loop Integration (Loop). Based on their discussions, they turned to VTEX as the platform to optimize processes. The business model that fits Project N95 best is a B2B marketplace. The organization previously relied on a reverse auction process to bring transparency to the PPE market. However the reverse auction format, presented challenges in user experience and a less than optimal time between order placement and delivery.

We are thrilled to have a top tier commerce platform to deliver a better experience for the people we serve.

Ann Miller, Executive Director, Project N95

Project N95 has extensive quality standards in place for suppliers and the products they distribute. Once the vetting process occurs, the path to PPE purchase is simple. VTEX online marketplace provides a clear, buyer-friendly means of selling with a posted price format where customers can easily place orders

An online marketplace has unlocked a new phase for Project N95

VTEX Marketplace App is a seller network that facilitates the connection between online marketplaces and sellers operating in the VTEX ecosystem, creating new business opportunities and mutual growth. On top of that, it has a social side too, connecting multiple marketplaces under the same digital environment. The out-of-the-box app works as a catalog of those interested in partnerships, allowing marketplaces and sellers to sign up, search for and contact each other to establish business agreements. Operationally, there are only three steps in setting up a marketplace with VTEX: 

• onboard sellers onto the marketplace
• onboard their catalog/products
• set up order orchestration (fulfillment from third-party sellers to end-customer)

An important performance indicator for Project N95 is the capability to serve more people in a shorter period, addressing the crucial issue of a delay between bid and purchase. With a well-built storefront and proper digital support for group orders, the NGO will easily use the VTEX system to sell thousands of units every month and host the related transactions smoothly. 

We are excited to have that multi-tenant marketplace experience. VTEX gives Project N95 the opportunity to serve more people in a shorter time span.

Anne Miller, Executive Director, Project N95

The tools that VTEX puts forward provide a more standardized and efficient selling experience, which is critically needed to deliver personal protective equipment to frontline workers and vulnerable communities.  Project N95 has delivered more than 2 million units of PPE, including isolation gowns, masks, respirators, and caps. The VTEX Order Management System will enable Project N95 to process and support orders on a much larger scale.

Looking to the future, Project N95 has an ambitious vision to  expand its reach to additional vulnerable communities. Loop and VTEX will be there to encourage and actively participate in providing people with the right protection. VTEX and Loop are coming together to help Project N95 save lives.