Category: SAP Modules

Preface – This post is part of the SAP Ariba series.

Introduction

For all export tasks in web-based integration, Ariba Administrator is responsible for configuring the URL for SAP Process Integration. In this article we will explore more about “Configuring SAP Ariba Procurement Solution”.

Generic URL:

SoapURL=http:///XISOAPAdapter/MessageServlet?channel=:<BusinessSystemName>:<Communication_Channel_Name>;

Example:

SoapURL=”http://<PIserver>:<port> sapnw01 : 50000/XISOAPAdapter/MessageServlet?channel=: BS_Procurement:CC_ChangePurchaseOrder_WSDL_Sender”;

Where,

• Server name : sapnw01
• Port: 50000
• Business System Name: BS_Procurement
• Communication Channel Name: CC_ChangePurchaseOrder_WSDL_Sender

Receiving Tolerances

In Ariba Procurement Solution, users can update the details of their orders. For this SAP ERP and SAP Ariba systems should receive the information in the same way. For example, both systems must have the same receiving tolerance.

Configure the following settings in system parameters to set the receiving tolerances:

• Procure.OverReceivingOperator
• Procure.OverReceivingPercentage
• Procure.OverReceivingQuantity
• Procure.OverReceivingValue
• Procure.UnderReceivingOperator
• Procure.UnderReceivingQuantity
• Procure.UnderReceivingValue
• Procure.UnderReceivingPercentage

The above parameter values are set from Service Manager; you need to submit the request with Ariba Contact and the Ariba Customer Support representative will contact you.

How to enable the generation of ERP Order by Default

When a user creates requisition for the first time, an ERP order is generated. To generate the ERP order by default, default behavior must be changed.

Steps to generate ERP Order by Default

1. Log in to the Service Manager as superuser
2. Under Site Manager navigate to Customer Sites
3. Log in as Customer Support Admin
4. Click Customization Manager
5. Click the Advanced tab and select Parameters
6. Under Search Filter search other methods and click edit
7. Move sap.server.SAPPOERP to the top and click ok and save it

Specifying the preferred ordering method

The preferred ordering method is basically the format in which the PO is sent. Users can specify the preferred ordering method for the Purchase Orders sent to suppliers.

User can choose from the below-supported formats:

• URL
• Online
• Fax
• cXML
• Print

To set the preferred ordering method, you need to submit the request with Ariba Contact and the Ariba Customer Support representative will contact you.

By default, the ordering method is set to the URL. To download the PO in *.csv format, the user needs to set the ordering method to Print.

Specifying Unique Purchase Order number

In Ariba Procurement Solution, the default purchase order number starts with EP10.

To specify the preferred unique number for the purchase order, you need to submit the request with Ariba Contact and the Ariba Customer Support representative will contact you.

Enable Cancel Order Integration

To enable cancel order integration in Ariba Procurement Solution, the value of parameter Application.Procure.UseCancelOrderIntegration should be set to YES.

To set the value of the mentioned parameter you need to submit the request with Ariba Contact and the Ariba Customer Support representative will contact you.

Enable creation of Split Orders based on Currency

In SAP ERP system, the requisition of line items having different currencies is not supported. To overcome this scenario the order should be split based on currencies.

Steps to enable split orders:

1. Log in to the Service Manager as superuser
2. Under Site Manager navigate to Customer Sites
3. Log in as Customer Support Admin
4. Click Customization Manager
5. Click Field Configuration
6. In Browse Classe, search for procurelineitem
7. Provide the value for Create Field, Label for field, Expression
8. Click Advanced tab and choose Split Order on this Field
9. Click Customizing and publish the order by clicking Publish

Specifying ad-hoc ship to addresses

In Ariba Procurement Solution, users can add ad-hoc addresses while creating the requisition or by editing the existing purchase order. Adding an ad-hoc address is enabled once the user enables the Application.Procure.AllowAdhocShipToAddress in their Ariba Procurement Solution account.

You can learn more about Configuring SAP Ariba Procurement Solution here from SAP’s official website.

Preface – This post is part of the SAP Ariba series.

Introduction

SAP Ariba Network can seamlessly connect to different SAP business suits with the help of add-ons that comes with Ariba Network integration 1.0. In this article we will explore SAP Ariba Configuration with SAP ERP.

Why integration is needed?

Integration of SAP Ariba with SAP ERP allows the users to manage the procurement process in SAP Ariba with the integration of the business records already deployed in the SAP ERP system. The integration of Ariba P2P and P2O includes the data load from the ERP system to the Ariba system. It covers data related to suppliers, organizations, and purchases.

The integration provides the full transparency of transactions of data between the system reflecting the changes and modifications in both systems.

How does the process works?

For the purchase of goods, the process starts with the creation of PR’s (Purchase Requisition) for catalog and non-catalog items, this then undergoes for approval of the related approver. Once the PR is completely approved by the designated approver, the PO (Purchase order) is created in SAP Ariba. The process flow of PR creation to PO creation takes place at Ariba platform.

Once the PO is created in the Ariba platform, the PO data is replicated to ERP system. The process comes to end with the release of the invoice.

Software pre-requisites for integration

• SAP ERP system 6.0 or higher
• SAP Ariba Downstream 13s or higher
• SAP Ariba Integration Toolkit
• SAP NetWeaver PI 7.1 or higher (optional )

Different ways of integration

There are four ways of performing SAP Ariba Configuration with SAP ERP:

• File-based integration
• Web services-based integration
• Direct connectivity
• Using middleware connectivity

File based-integration

The data is exported from the Ariba Procurement Solution in *.csv format. It is then processed by ABAP program and then replicates it to SAP ERP. After the data replication to the ERP system, the status of the transaction is fetched from ERP and then update back to SAP Ariba. SAP Ariba supports *.csv file format for import and export.

Web-Based Integration

This integration use middleware’s like SAP PI, SOA to establish integration. SAP PI is by default available and it does not require any manual configuration for setup, whereas using SOA manual configuration is needed. SOAP messages are generated based on WSDL and are forwarded using SAP PI.

Direct Connectivity Integration

In the direct connectivity process, master data (in *.csv format) is transferred from SAP ERP to SAP Ariba system in the form of SOAP messages.

Mediated Connectivity Integration

In the mediated connectivity integration process, both SAP PI and SOAP messages methods can be used (data can be passed as SOAP messages).

To use SAP PI to exchange the data, you need to specify the sender and receiver communication channel. For SAP PI/PO integration, Ariba has provided Ariba Network Adapter commonly now as add-ons which allow to send and receive data in cXml format.

Preface – This post is part of the SAP Ariba series.

Introduction

According to SAP Ariba, it SSO Architecture is a set up of trust between SAP Ariba and Corporate Identity Provider using SAML 2.0. In this article we will explore SAP Ariba SSO Architecture in detail.

Types of Authentication

SAP Ariba allows buyers and suppliers to login into Ariba Network using two methods:

• Regular User Authentication: Users can manually enter their Ariba Network usernames and passwords on the Ariba Network page.
• Single Sign-On (SSO): When users log in to their Corporate Network, it automatically logs them to Ariba Network when needed.

SSO also requires setup configurations to connect user authentication system to Ariba Network and this is done with the help of network administrators.

Benefits of SSO Architecture:

• Security Control: SSO cab be combined with multi-factor authentication ( MFA ) or users might use portable authentication devices ( like RSA Secure ID) for better security control to access Ariba Network.
• User Experience: Repeated logins are no more required with SSO. As when users login to their Corporate Network they are authenticated to Ariba Network also.
• Account Management: Ariba automatically revokes user’s access to Ariba Network in case they leave the organization.
• It combines with RBA (Risk-Based Authentication): SSO combined with RBA provides insight into user behavior. Security teams are able to monitor the unusual behavior of users, such as multiple login failures and it also gives permission to block the user account in case of security issues.

SAP Ariba SSO Architecture

Preface – This post is part of the SAP Ariba series.

Introduction

Ariba Network provides various permissions to users to access certain areas of the Ariba Network user interface. Permissions are grouped into roles and each role includes at least one permission. In this article we will explore all the Ariba Network Permissions.

Ariba Network Permissions

Below is the table describing Ariba Network permissions, its functionality and the access area in Ariba Network account:

Preface – This post is part of the SAP Ariba series.

Introduction

In Ariba Network, administrators and users play different roles. As an administrator you provide administrative support to your company for the smooth running of business. Additionally, admins responsibility includes:

• Administrator role is automatically linked to the username and login entered at the time of registration. However, the administrators can reassign the role to other users.
• Registration of new accounts, account configuration and management
• Users and roles creations
• Handling account login issues
• Serving as the primary contact for users

Users have different roles, which corresponds to their job responsibilities. Each user is responsible to update their profiles – personal user information, in Ariba system. In this article we will discuss more about SAP Ariba Network User and Role Management.

Creating Role

1. From Company Setting menu, navigate to Users to open Users pages.
2. In users page, under Manage Users Roles click Create Role
3. Provide the role details – name of role, role description
4. Provide the Permissions to role. At least one permission must be given.
5. Click Save

Modifying a Role

You can modify an existing role and in case if a user is already assigned to that role, the modifications will be reflected once they login again.

1. From Company Setting menu, navigate to Users to open Users pages.
2. In users page, under Manage Users Roles click Edit to open Edit Role Page
3. Update the required details – name of role, role description
4. Update selected Permissions
5. Click Save

Creating User

1. From Company Setting menu, navigate to Users to open Users pages.
2. In users page, under Manage Users click Create User to open Create User Page
3. Under New User Information, provide user details – username, email, first name, last name(optional), office phone no.
4. Under Role Assignment Section, provide at least one Role to user
5. To transfer administration role to user, click Make Administrator
6. Click Done

Managing User Roles and Resetting Password

1. From Company Setting menu, navigate to Users to open Users pages.
2. In users page, under Manage Users, select user which you want to modify, click Edit
3. Under Role Assignment Section, add or remove roles.
4. Under Customer Assignment Section, you can assign the user to customers.
5. Click Save

To reset user’s password, click Reset Password. A link will be sent to the user via email to reset their password.

Preface – This post is part of the SAP Ariba series.

Introduction

SAP Ariba, allows you to access and configure new account and also you can set email notifications, electronic orders and invoice routing and other account related configurations for new suppliers. In this article we will explore SAP Ariba – Account Configuration in detail.

Following steps can be followed to start with the SAP Ariba Account – Configuration

1. Visit Ariba site here
2. Provide valid credentials (Username and Password) to login

Create new account and update Company Profile

For account access and configuration, navigate to “Company Settings” tab:

• In order to update information related to Company profile, you will have to navigate to “Company Profile” tab
• Under this tab following information’s can be updated:

• Basic company profile
• Business Details
• Marketing
• Company Contacts Details
• Certification Details
• Additional Documents

Create Notifications

SAP Ariba, allows you to choose the source email address for which you want to receive notifications as well as you can choose destination email address where you want notifications to be followed up.

• To set notifications, navigate to “Notifications” tab
• Here, for each notification you can add three email addresses separated by commas (,).

Manage Electronic Order Routing

To manage electronic order, navigate to “Network Setting” option and then under this navigate to “Electronic Order Routing”.

• Below methods can be selected for the business transactions with customers:

• Email
• Fax
• Online
• cXML
• EDI

1. Email order routing

You can send the document as an attachment in email, which will further send the whole PO document in email.

2. Online Routing

You can send the PO directly to Ariba inbox without sending any copies to anywhere.

3. EDI Routing

ERP system should be configured with Ariba for sending PO via EDI.

Manage Electronic Invoice Routing

To manage electronic invoice, navigate to “Network Setting” option and then under this navigate to “Electronic Invoice Routing”.

• Below methods can be selected for routing method:

• Online
• cXML
• EDI
  • You can add tax related documents like (Tax ID, VAT ID and other related documents) through “Tax Invoicing” option.
  • And also “Invoice Archival” option can be used to set the frequency of zipped invoice archives.

Preface – This post is part of the SAP Ariba series.

Introduction

Ariba, is an American Software and IT services company, located in Palo Alto, California. It was established in 1996 and later in 2012 it was acquired by SAP SE (German Software maker) for $4.3 billion, and thus named as SAP Ariba. SAP Ariba was the first company to introduce IPO in 1999.

The key idea for the foundation of company was based on providing ease to companies for their procurement process.

What is SAP Ariba?

SAP Ariba is a cloud-based platform that connects suppliers and buyers globally by providing procurement solutions, spend management and supply chain services on a single platform. This gives the transparency in business and a better in sight over spending.

Key features of SAP Ariba

Features of Ariba:

1. SAP Ariba connects to the largest network of supplier and vendor and enhances business partnership with right partners.
2. It connects organisation with the right vendor and provides the transparency of vendor details and procurement process which gives the clear and error free business transaction.
3. SAP Ariba helps users to connect to different suppliers meeting their needs and managing supply chain.
4. SAP Ariba can be easily integrated with other SAP ERP solutions like SAP ECC and S/4 HANA.

Key benefits of SAP Ariba

Benefits of using SAP Ariba:

1. SAP Ariba connects suppliers, buyers on a single platform while enhancing user experience and providing the best and reliable solution for their purchase.
2. SAP Ariba is a cloud-based solution and hence it can be accessed from any location and requires very less capital for the setup.
3. Setup for the procurement processes – P2P (Procure-to-Pay), P2O (Procure-to-Order) is quite easy.
4. Using suitable Integration mode, master data – Organisation structure, GL, supplier data can be easily transferred to Ariba solution.
5. Easy transfer of transactional data – IR (Invoice Receipt) details, PO (Purchase Order) details, GR (Goods Receipt) details; to Ariba using optimal integration.
6. Integration toolkit is used to connect Ariba solution and ERP system.

SAP Ariba Solution

Solution area covered by SAP Ariba are:

1. Supplier management: It manages supplier information, performance, lifecycle and risks.
2. Strategic sourcing: Manages sourcing, contracts, spend analysis process (for all three direct, indirect and services)
3. Direct Spend: Connects partners, people, processes and information required for the ease flow of activities.
4. Procurement: Helps to achieve compliance, visibility and control by downsizing cost and risks, and improving efficiency.
5. Financial Supply Chain: Manages the free flow of payables, transactions, invoice management.