What is SAP Ariba and Why is it Used?
SAP Ariba is a cloud-based solution that helps organizations manage their procurement, sourcing, and supply chain processes more efficiently. It connects buyers and suppliers on a single platform to streamline procurement, improve collaboration, and optimize the overall sourcing process.
Key Reasons Why SAP Ariba is Used:
Streamlined Procurement: Ariba automates the procurement lifecycle, reducing manual work and errors.
Supplier Collaboration: It provides a platform where businesses can collaborate seamlessly with suppliers.
Cost Savings: By optimizing sourcing and procurement, companies can save costs through better negotiations and reduced inefficiencies.
Compliance and Transparency: Ariba ensures compliance with procurement policies and improves visibility into transactions.
Global Network: SAP Ariba connects organizations with millions of suppliers worldwide, enabling businesses to source materials and services more effectively.
Who Should Learn SAP Ariba?
If you are someone looking to build a strong career in the SAP Ariba space, this is a great opportunity to enhance your profile and career prospects. While anyone can learn SAP Ariba, there are certain professionals and scenarios where learning Ariba becomes particularly beneficial:
SAP MM and SAP Sourcing & Procurement Consultants
SAP considers the full solution for sourcing and procurement as a combination of Ariba (Sourcing) and SAP S/4HANA (Procurement).
If you are an SAP MM consultant, learning Ariba is highly recommended to diversify your profile and cover the complete solution for sourcing and procurement.
SAP itself is pushing this integration, making it mandatory for sourcing and procurement consultants to learn Ariba and vice versa for Ariba professionals to learn S/4HANA.
This trend will continue, and you will see both systems merge more in the future, making Ariba a valuable skill set for SAP MM professionals.
Sourcing Operations Professionals
If you are currently working in sourcing operations, learning SAP Ariba will significantly improve your ability to understand processes, work more efficiently, and eventually transition from operations to a consulting role.
Freshers and Entry-Level Professionals
Even if you are a fresher, knowledge of SAP Ariba can give you an edge when applying for roles, particularly in Fortune 500 companies that widely use Ariba.
Ariba knowledge can help secure positions in operations, strategic sourcing, or buying roles where preference is often given to candidates with tool knowledge.
Job Opportunities After Learning SAP Ariba
Once you have learned SAP Ariba, there are two main career paths you can explore:
Operations Roles
After learning Ariba, you can work in operations roles as a sourcing expert or strategic sourcing professional.
Many Fortune 500 companies use Ariba and give preference to candidates who already understand the tool, as it helps streamline their processes.
Ariba can serve as a differentiator in your profile compared to others with generic skill sets.
Consulting Roles
As an SAP Ariba Consultant, you will work closely with clients to:
Understand their business processes.
Recommend how these processes can be optimized using Ariba.
Configure, implement, and train clients on SAP Ariba solutions.
Consulting roles can include:
Implementation Consultant: Participate in full project lifecycles.
Support Consultant: Resolve issues, tickets, and queries post-implementation for live systems.
Whether it’s in operations or consulting, SAP Ariba knowledge provides a flexible career path with immense growth potential.
Prerequisites to Learn SAP Ariba
To start your SAP Ariba learning journey, you need some foundational knowledge and skills:
Understanding Sourcing and Procurement Processes
A basic knowledge of sourcing and procurement business processes is expected.
If you are already working in supply chain operations, you likely have this knowledge.
Freshers without prior exposure are encouraged to research and gain an understanding of sourcing and procurement processes. You can start with Google to familiarize yourself with the basics.
During training, you will also learn about various business processes, but having a foundational understanding will accelerate your learning.
Basic Computer Skills
You need to have basic skills in operating computer applications like:
Logging into systems.
Using Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel (core tools in consulting roles).
English Communication Skills
A decent level of English is required, as most communication in Fortune 500 companies happens in English.
For consultants, communication is critical since you will interact with clients, discuss processes, and present solutions.
Learning Attitude and Adaptability
Technology evolves quickly, and SAP Ariba is no exception.
To succeed as an Ariba professional, you need to:
Be open to continuous learning.
Stay updated on new features and processes.
Be adaptable, as every client and project will present new challenges.
Become an SAP Ariba Consultant
If you want to become an SAP Ariba Consultant, you need to follow the curriculum below. If you are interested in training, Enroll Now!
1. Introduction and Ariba Overview
1.1 Introduction and Ariba Overview and Landing Page Navigation
1.2 Dash Boards.
2. SAP ARIBA Sourcing
2.1 Sourcing - RFI, RFP Auction & Event Management
2.2 Sourcing - Templates - Sourcing Request
2.3 Sourcing - Templates - Sourcing Project
2.4 Creating Events with own templates
3. SAP Ariba Auction Template
3.1 Auction Event, Sourcing Review
4. SAP ARIBA Contracts
4.1 Introduction to Contract Management
4.2 Contracts - Authoring, Clause Library, Upstream Workflow
4.3 Creating Contract terms, Release and No release contracts
4.4 Template Creation
4.5 Contracts CLID
5. Sap Ariba – SLP
5.1 Introduction, Supplier Registration
5.2 Supplier Qualification, Preferred Supplier
5.3 SLP Templates
6. Sap Ariba - SPM
6.1 Supplier Evaluation
6.2 Modular Questionnaires
7. Sap Ariba Procurement
7.1 Requisition
7.2 Purchase Order
7.3 Invoice
7.4 Invoice Reconciliation
7.5 Payment
7.6 Approval Processes
7.7 Receiving
8. Administration
8.1 Administration
8.2 Core Administration
8.3 Master Data
8.4 User Manager
8.5 Data Dictionary
9. Integration
9.1 Integration methods
9.2 Integration Scenarios
10. Reports
10.1 Public Reports
10.2 Analytical Reports
10.3 Reports Scheduling
11. SAP Ariba - Integration and CIG
11.1 Introduction to CIG
12. Extras
12.1 Guided Buying Overview
12.2 Project methodologies
12.3 Interview Questions
12.4 Real time Support Scenarios
