A spokesman admitted there has been a slow start to its nationwide initiative, which started in 2002, to bring together local and central government as well as NHS purchasing for improved savings.

The launch of www.eprocurementscotland.com would hopefully encourage more organisations to join, he said.

The spokesman told SM:

"E-procurement is obviously a major change in the way organisations do business and will therefore take time to adjust to."

"The procurement spend for Scotland is £5 billion. More than £1 billion could be done online if the whole public sector signed up."

The initial response had been "extremely pleasing", he added.