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Small-purchase card program doubles in size
The American Express small-purchase credit-card program more than doubled in size during the last fiscal year. Beginning with a pilot test in 1995, there are now 284 cards in use in 102 departments. Last year, there were 14,063 small-purchase credit-card transactions for a value of $2,047,780. This is an average of $145.61 per purchase transaction.
"Top-user" departments include biochemistry, biology, Vet Med, chemical engineering, and the Fralin Biotechnology Center. Top vendors include Fisher Scientific, Boise Cascade Office Supplies, and Bergen Brunswick Corporation. Top local vendors include Blacksburg Auto Parts, Heavener Hardware, Walmart, and Lowes.
The small-purchase credit card has been identified as a "best practice" in higher education because it streamlines the administrative process. For more information about this program, please contact the program administrator, Debra Bales, e-mail: Dbales@vt.edu, or call 1-8548.