If you have made the brilliant choice to invest in this platform it is important to understand just how crucial it is to hire an SAP Ariba consultant to help you implement your investment and get the very most out of the program. You were smart enough to choose one of the most comprehensive options available on the market, so be smart enough to get help with it.
Understanding the Application
Of course, as with any other robust technical application, there will be a learning curve when it is time to implement the technology and get the process underway. There are so many functions and properties that are included with the app that it is going to seem overwhelming to a person that is unfamiliar with it all. Relax, that is what a consultant is for. In any case, the SAP Ariba team will not leave you alone to figure it all out.
Spend Management Capabilities
The companies that invest in the SAP Ariba platform are interested in saving as much money as they can in everyday spending activities. This is where the power of digital technology comes in handy.
Imagine a situation where everything that is available to you comes at you in the form of a neatly packaged bundle complete with descriptions, prices, and locations of the item. Out of all of those choices you get to pick the ones that are best for you, and they are yours.
This is an example of how powerful the application is. This platform has the ability to explore millions of options and bring the best ones directly to the person that is searching for them.
Of course, at first, the way to administer a search like this will require some knowledge about where to look, how to set search parameters, and information to provide in order to get the best results.
Here is where a consultant can play an important role in the expansion of business. Not only will a consultant have the knowledge of the software itself and how it works, but also an advanced understanding of the entire source-to-pay process from the beginning to the end.
Each step in the production of a search will be crucial in finding the best ways to save money in the spend process.
From the Source to the Payment
In terms of good business, it is always best to pay little and get large returns. The less you pay for an item, the higher of a return you can get if you strategically choose what you are purchasing.
Sourcing is a very important part of the procedure. There are many businesses out there that do not understand the magnitude of proper sourcing. There are situations where the entire success of a business will depend on the sources that it has. It is within circumstances such as this where the need for great sourcing is great.
What a consultant can do is guide a company through the entire process, from sourcing to payment, and show everybody involved the way to properly source quality sources then walk through the next stages of the process.
- Plan
- Source
- Buy
- Pay
This may seem like an oversimplified list of steps, but in reality, these are the platform on which all processes should stand.
The software can help to shorten the amount of time for each step and get the most out of every step along the way. A consultant can show the procurement team how to navigate the platform and make the most throughout the entire process.
The Planning Phase
With or without the software platform, every company that uses a source-to-pay process has to take the time to plan out the way that all of the objectives will be covered from one end of the process to the other.
The time of planning is when the company can get a good look at how much money is being spent on what, and why.
When the SAP Ariba platform has been implemented and is ready for the first planning stage, everybody that is involved will be able to see how the software works. This is when a consultant will be very valuable.
Within the software application, there is a plethora of solutions and tools that have been designed to promptly detect and provide cost-saving solutions that can have a huge impact on the amount of spending the company currently practices. Beyond the available tools, the consultant will be able to show how each tool works and in what capacity will be most beneficial for the company.
The planning phase of the source-to-pay process will transform from a daunting and meticulous chore to a streamlined and effective means to get the best and the most out of every transaction.
Some of the major solutions that the software app has to offer are:
- Intelligent spend management
- Supplier management
- Strategic sourcing
- Direct spend solutions
- Financial supply chain
These solutions can be a huge part in every major business on a daily basis. Learning how to use each feature will prove to be an amazing asset for the entire business establishment.
Management Capabilities
There is a huge difference between operating a department and managing one. With the SAP Ariba platform, the software can manage all of the major components that keep the business running smoothly and efficiently.
In order to get the most out of the spend management function, the software must be set up in a way that mirrors the needs of the business. Of course, the person in charge of the company will know the ins and outs of the needs of the company, but in order to implement the needs into the functionality of the software, it will take an expert to get the best results.
When it comes to supplier management it is imperative that all of the information and details are correct and up to date. Holding on to great suppliers is good business, but getting rid of the bad ones is even better. When it comes to optimizing spend for a company every penny counts. A consultant will be able to show companies how to set up the supplier management function in the platform in a way that gets the most out of each supplier and cuts the ones away that lose their value.
Strategic sourcing is a valuable asset that can not be ignored. In order to get the most out of every sourcing task, there must be crucial information for the software to use as a way to target the best sources for the company.
In the beginning stages of the software implementation, a consultant will be able to walk the company through the process of finding information and generating lists of prospective sources that best match the criteria that will be most beneficial.
The platform will look for characteristics such as:
- Cost of goods or services
- Reliability of the source
- Availability of the goods or services
- Opportunities for discounts
- Quality of goods and services
Your consultant will show you how to look for and secure the best of the best sources that are best for the efficiency of the spending of the company.
Conclusion
As with any other newfound implementation, there will be a lot of questions. When those questions come up a consultant will be able to answer them and provide guidance. There is no reason to try and muscle through the software alone when help is available and is willing to show you everything you need to know to maximize your investment.
