Ariba Inc, the leading provider of collaborative business commerce solutions, has accredited marketingunity as the first Supplier Solutions Provider in EMEA. 

Marketingunity is proud to announce that it has become an Ariba Supplier Solutions Provider, to provide integration software and services to Ariba Supplier Network (ASN) users.
 
The Ariba network is by far the largest of its kind, with more than 300,000 registered suppliers, of which 75,000 of which are in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA.)

Most ASN suppliers receive and process transactions manually, but with the accelerating awareness and adoption of E-commerce, there is increasing demand from customers to receive and complete transactions electronically. Doing so has the potential to process transactions faster, more cost effectively and with less risk.

To enable supplier integration to the ASN, Ariba provides a standard ‘punchout’ interface,  but integration projects still need specialist skills and experience which suppliers do not typically have.

With accelerating demand for Ariba integrations amongst buyers, Ariba themselves cannot satisfy integration requests from the spiralling number of suppliers joining the network.
 
To date, organisations in EMEA had the choice of acquiring the necessary skills inhouse, or  hiring a specialist company with the necessary skills – but whilst the latter has significant advantages, the issue has been identifying a capable partner with the right skills and capabilities.

Recognising this, Ariba has launched the Ariba Supplier Solutions Provider service.

Ariba Live! in Amsterdam on June 7th to 9th was the first event to highlight the scheme, and staff from both Ariba and marketingunity were on hand throughout the event to discuss the details of the plan and discuss the potential benefits with Ariba Suppliers.

Dave Heflin, Senior Manager - Supplier Solutions at Ariba, commented -

"Marketingunity's status as a validated Supplier Solution Provider provides EMEA suppliers with local and enhanced capabilities to establish buyer-prefered PunchOut catalogs."

James Evason, marketingunity Chief Technology Officer, said

“We’re really excited about this new relationship, as it represents a genuine win for all parties involved. Suppliers using the ASN will be able to integrate their systems quickly and cost-effectively; both they and their customers will benefit from faster and more efficient completion of business transactions; Ariba will benefit as their network will become an even more attractive way for their buyers and suppliers to do business; and we’re delighted to have our capabilities recognised and endorsed by a company of Ariba’s status.”