The Challenge

Companies that procure via the Ariba Supplier Network (ASN) have more than 300,000 Suppliers to choose from. Price is only one factor in their choice - another important one is how quickly and efficiently a supplier can process and deliver their orders.

The fastest and least-risk way for suppliers to achieve that is to link to the ASN electronically, so it is no surprise that Ariba buyers are increasingly demanding that their suppliers do that.

If you already trade via the ASN, you may need to satisfy that demand to protect existing revenue. If you are a registered supplier but not yet trading, electronic integration may be the key to securing revenue from Ariba buyers.

If you have an existing E-commerce system and IT team, the obvious choice is to link that to the ASN. However, your team may lack the required IT resources, skills, experience or time to achieve this. Your existing system may also not offer integration methods, so a successful project could take months – putting business at risk.

The Solution

Ariba has identified and addressed this challenge by setting up the Ariba Supplier Solutions Provider (ASSP) program. This identifies and accredits companies that have proven ability to integrate with the ASN.

Marketingunity is the first (and currently the only) accredited ASSP in EMEA. We have proven Ariba integration skills, having established successful links with the Ariba Supplier Network, which are in daily use by a number of major worldwide corporations.

Marketingunity offers a range of integration solutions and services, which combine to form a total solution to each Supplier's requirements.

The Ariba Adaptor

The Ariba Adaptor is a ‘Shopping Cart’ applications which is Ariba PunchOut Level 1 and 2 enabled 'out of the box'.

For suppliers that no existing online ordering capability, the Ariba Adaptor provides one that can begin taking business from the ASN right after installation. No IT skills or development effort is needed - Suppliers simply have to load their products into an Adaptor Catalogue.

Suppliers that already have an existing system can implement the Ariba Adaptor alongside it, and use it as for selected products and customers. That means they can avoid the delay of linking their own system to the ASN, together with the potential lost business.

Of course, integration of the Ariba Adaptor and existing system may still be desirable, which is where marketingunity's integration skills and experience can help. By utilising our skills, Suppliers avoid the need to run their own integration project, with all the attendant costs, delays and risks.

Of course, taking orders is only one function that needs to be automated if the goal is 'end-to-end' streamling of business transactions.

Another is E-invoicing, which is increasingly seen as important to all parties. Our integration skills can help there too, by integrating Suppliers financial systems with Ariba, to speed invoice processing, minimise risk of error, and delays in securing payment.

The Benefits

Whichever marketingunity solution is selected, Suppliers can expect the benefits to include:- 

• Fastest-possible time to Ariba ‘go-live’, thereby securing revenue faster.
• Rapid, risk-free and cost-effective processing of business transactions with minimal manual overheads.
• Sophisticated ‘Ariba-approved’ Level II PunchOut capability ‘out of the box’.
• Business continuity whilst any required bespoke Integration takes place.