Architect Builds Digital Procurement Platform

While design, planning, and construction in Bangladesh's construction and interior design sectors are technology-driven, the procurement of building materials largely remains reliant on traditional methods. The process of calling multiple suppliers for required products, getting quotations via WhatsApp, price negotiation, collecting product samples, and constant communication with suppliers makes the entire procurement process time-consuming and complex.

Young architect Nuzhat Shama observed this reality firsthand. From her professional experience in architectural firms and interior design, she understood that increasing the use of technology in construction procurement management could save time, effort, and money. Driven by this realization, she left her job to become an entrepreneur.

However, her venture is not a conventional architectural consultancy. To simplify the process of purchasing construction materials for architects, builders, contractors, developers, interior designers, and even individuals interested in building their own homes, she created a digital procurement platform called 'ProQ'.

According to sources, ProQ's website is www.proq.com.bd. Final preparations are currently underway, and Nuzhat Shama has indicated that it will be officially launched very soon. After the launch, architects, interior designers, or general buyers will be able to access detailed product information and download 3D models directly from the website, eliminating the need to visit showrooms.

Exploring the website reveals that buyers can create a procurement request, providing details such as the product name, quantity, specifications, and project-related information. Subsequently, relevant sellers will submit their quotations. Buyers can then review multiple offers in one place to make an informed decision. This system will not only allow for price negotiation but also digitally record every step of the discussion. In procurement, obtaining products at the right price is crucial, but ensuring that products are delivered as per the agreement after ordering is equally important. ProQ is also prioritizing this aspect. 

The platform features a Buyer Protection Policy for eligible transactions, meaning funds are disbursed through a defined process rather than immediately upon order completion. If delivered goods don't match specifications or have specific issues, buyers can raise complaints, which will then be resolved.

Nuzhat Shama graduated with a Bachelor's in Architecture from BRAC University in 2022, earning recognition on the VC and Dean's Lists for her excellent results. She then worked briefly as a research assistant at the university's Centre for Inclusive Architecture and Urbanism before joining RanksCon Developments, where she was involved in architectural design and interior design for various projects.

Her professional experience highlighted the complexities of procuring construction materials. The process of contacting multiple suppliers for necessary materials, collecting quotations, verifying prices, negotiating, examining samples, and finally ensuring the correct product and quantity often consumed more time than the design work itself. This lost time could have been dedicated to making designs more creative, aesthetic, and refined.

Problems frequently arose with phone and WhatsApp-dependent communication, including lost information, changes in quotations, misunderstandings about product specifications, or receiving products that didn't meet expectations. Nuzhat realized the entire procurement process needed to be moved to a reliable digital platform. This need led to the creation of Pro-Q. The platform's core concept is to eliminate the need for buyers to call individual suppliers for construction material quotes. Instead, a variety of products will be displayed on a single website, with sellers organizing their listings through individual profiles.  

According to the entrepreneur, Pro-Q aims to do more than just solve customer problems. Many manufacturers and distributors in the country have quality products, but their business reach is limited due to personal connections, acquaintances, and specific geographical markets. It often takes years to build relationships with new customers. Through Pro-Q, these sellers will have the opportunity to reach a wider range of customers. Several established companies have already joined Pro-Q, and efforts are underway to connect various construction and interior sector businesses with the platform.

Notably, Nuzhat Shama, being an architect herself, didn't view the procurement problem from a distance like other entrepreneurs. Instead, she leveraged her own experience as a user. She identified various issues through market research and discussions with potential users, subsequently developing the platform based on these insights.

She particularly emphasizes product quality, supply consistency, finding reliable sellers, and ensuring timely delivery of promised goods. Therefore, Nuzhat prioritizes building credibility over rapid growth. A system for vetting sellers before they join the platform has also been implemented. This initiative is not just the story of an architect becoming an entrepreneur; it's an endeavor to identify a real-world problem from professional experience and create a technological solution for it.
//DBTech/TDN/SME/MIS//