Buyers can also add IPS to their IPS list by searching for already created IPS shared voluntarily by other buyers in the IPS library. The IPS library contains only IPSs that their creators have set to public access for all Auxionize users. Searching for publicly shared IPSs in the IPS library is identical to searching for products/services in the product catalog. The buyer can use the dropdown menu to find the products/services they are interested in or enter them in the search field. When the desired category is found, the “Select” button should be pressed. All publicly visible IPSs will be displayed in the search results, giving the buyer three options – to directly follow the IPS using the “Follow” button, to copy and make changes to it by pressing “Copy and Edit,” and simply to review it by clicking “Review.” By following the IPS, the buyer will automatically include it in their nomenclature, and all subsequent changes from its creator will be inherited after confirmation from the buyer. The other option of copying and modifying according to the buyer’s criteria will allow them to use only the current selection of products, and subsequent changes from the IPS creator will not be considered.
Selecting the “Follow” button will open the IPS created by the buyer who shared it and will display details about its configuration. The IPS will immediately be followed by you until you decide to unfollow. Once followed, options cannot be changed, as they may be involved in active auctions. When viewed in this manner, you will see the message below.
When the buyer chooses the “Copy and Modify” option, they will have the following indicated view below. Modification allows the option to add products to the copied IPS, as well as to remove products contained within it during copying.
IPSs with limited visibility during creation will not be displayed in the IPS library. Limited visibility of IPS can be set due to concerns about company confidentiality and competition considerations. Please note that you can change your visibility setting at any time after creating the IPS. You can do this by clicking on the selected IPS and simply toggling off the “Hide Creator Name” button. Public and private access are the other two settings for restricting visibility of IPSs.
After saving the change, the specific IPS will appear in the global IPS library. To search for specific IPSs, you should either click on the “IPS Library” section to access the dropdown menu with all possible main categories or simply enter the category name in the search field. It often happens that subsidiary companies follow IPSs of parent companies based on similarities in business operations, or companies in the same industry also follow their IPSs. Sellers also have access to the IPS library, where they can search for IPSs by category and place bids on them (level restrictions apply).
