SAP ARIBA Implementation

SAP is a cloud-based procurement solution, which enables to connect buyers and sellers under one single network frame. It helps in making the overall business operation simple in a way that it improves vendor management system of the organization by reducing the cost of procurement. SAP Ariba is hence a supply chain procurement service that helps in doing the business at the global level with so much ease.

We all know how important for the business is to control the chain and cooperate with their suppliers effectively. With SAP Ariba, the businesses can form a healthy supply chain where the businesses have a supplier with visibility at every part of the procurement process, thus helping every business to grow and developed. It digitalizes the overall procurement process.

With SAP Ariba, your business gains the ability to grow faster. SAP Ariba is the largest B2B network which connects your business with millions of traders and supplier all over the globe. It helps in giving your business the real-time information, which helps in the overall operation of business to be more efficient and effective—thus leading to better collaboration between business and supplier. SAP Ariba enables with different tools, resources and benefits which help in your business to grow at a faster pace.

There are various benefits related to the using of SAP Ariba and are explained as follow:

• SAP Ariba makes the procurement process as well as sourcing process simple through easy synchronization to SAP SRM and other ERP software. Its cloud software solution includes financials, purchase order and payments as well.
• As it makes the whole process of supply chain process digitalize, it results in a better and more enhanced experience for its user, buyers and supplier. It helps in a better experience for its user.
• The initial capital requirement cost for the setting up the solution is not very high as with the cloud-based solution of SAP Ariba. It can be assessed from a number of different locations.
• With SAP Ariba, the setup of important procurement process is not very complicated and difficult. It helps in easy setup. There is no need for heavy expenditure on software and hardware.
• The transferring of master data is very easy in case of SAP Ariba. Organization structure, suppliers and GL data can be easily transferred to SAP Ariba through the process of integration.
• SAP Ariba also enables easy transfer of transactional data as well.
• SAP Ariba also have access to the Ariba networks, which helps in connecting all the stakeholders and system in a simple way which enables to reduce cost and risk.
• Also, the SAP Ariba users can have better negotiation deals as they have access to the company’s spending habits with expertise solutions provided by SAP Ariba.
• SAP Ariba aids in the creation of a single framework for both buyers and suppliers.
• Moreover, the SAP Ariba process is standardized, which does not require much training on the part of the users.

These are some of the key benefits provided by SAP Ariba to its user. Before going further with SAP Ariba, one must understand the SAP Ariba implementation process. The SAP implementation follows four main phases that provide the required support to the overall life cycle of SAP Solutions. It is the series of steps which ensure timely delivery, quality products to make sure that SAP Ariba Solutions provides the benefits to its users that are expected of them.

The SAP Ariba consist of four phases of the implementation process, i.e. prepare, explore, realize and deploy. These are explained as follow:

1. Prepare: The first and foremost step in the implementation methodology of SAP Ariba is the Prepare Phase. The main aim under this is to make sure of the goals, objectives, value metrics and scope of the project. The project team has to be identified in this phase. The project plan, its framework, different issues and risk, various roles and responsibilities are discussed, stated and concluded with the client. After this, the project is then undertaken with the entire project stakeholder. The following information is provided related to the project to all the Ariba functional resources:

• Goals and Strategy of the business
• Project methodology
• Roles, solution implementation framework, responsibilities, etc.

2. Explore Phase: The main aim of this phase to confirm the requirement and prepare the required technical structure. The workshop starts with the demonstrations, followed by an initial session and then breakout sessions. The areas to undertaken in breakout session include sourcing request blueprinting, sourcing project blueprinting, sourcing events blueprint, master data and reporting. One must include subject expert during breakout session so that you have complete knowledge and effective design could be formed.

3. Realize Phase: This is the testing phase of the process. Under this, configuration and incremental test take place in an integrated environment. This phase begins after complying with the business requirement documents. The SAP Ariba starts to perform functional configurations that are based on documents requirements. The SAP Ariba perform a number of tasks under this, including creating sourcing templates, loading master data, integrating with other solutions.

4. Deploy Phase: This Deploy phase starts when you complete the required UAT, i.e. User Acceptance Testing that is formed during the previous phase. The aim of this phase is to go live and transition the customer to SAP Ariba support. In this, the one deploys the new SAP Ariba Sourcing solution.

Hence, we can conclude that the implementation of SAP Ariba involves a lot of task, but it is an investment which gives a very high return to your business. It simplifies as well as streamline the supply chain management as it collaborates the buyers and sellers under one framework. It digitalizes the supply chain management, which thus helps in reducing the time and cost involved in the procurement process. This shows how beneficial for one business to implement SAP Ariba Solutions so that it grows quicker and faster and continue to provide valuable service to its client.