On May 3, 2018, SAP announced that it had acquired Ariba for $4.3 billion. The acquisition was intended to help SAP expand its business-to-business capabilities, build on its existing cloud offerings, and further its goal of becoming the leader in enterprise cloud applications.
With the acquisition, SAP gained access to Ariba’s network of over two million buyers and suppliers and a suite of cloud-based e-commerce solutions. It also allowed SAP to expand its presence in the procurement and supply chain management (SCM) markets.
As of October 2020, SAP Ariba buying is a standalone business unit within SAP, providing services to customers worldwide.
How does SAP Ariba work?
SAP Ariba solutions connect buyers and suppliers and provide a platform for them to communicate and collaborate. Buyers can search for suppliers and products, and suppliers can post their products and services.
The platform also provides tools for invoicing, payment, and shipping. Also, it is used by businesses of all sizes, from small to large enterprises.
Integrated with the SAP Ariba Network, SAP Ariba services procurement offers analytics and reporting capabilities, enabling organisations to gain insights into their spending and supplier performance and identify savings and efficiency improvements.