Ariba played a key role in transforming the organization's purchasing processes, especially in strengthening governance, transparency, and the reliability of information. The solution is mainly used for indirect purchases, supporting all negotiations with suppliers, always in a structured manner and adhering to compliance policies and requirements. Before contracting Ariba, the processes were more decentralized and less viable. With the platform, it was possible to standardize workflows, centralize negotiations, and increase control over purchasing decisions. The overall experience is very positive, with clear gains in organization, traceability, and process maturity.

SAP Ariba has been rolled out across the company over the last couple of years, and almost without exception day to day users have complained of difficulty using the system, even though almost all are fully in support of the rationale for a central purchasing tool such as this. Of course, it has yielded cost saving benefits that have made it ultimately worthwhile, but the taste in the mouth left by the transition, largely down to the tool itself, do not make this a tool I would recommend at this time.