Accenture To Expand Procurement Offerings Through SAP Ariba Deal

Systems integrator Accenture is expanding its proprietary procurement system through a deal with software giant SAP under which Accenture will incorporate SAP's Ariba sourcing application into Accenture's procurement solution.

Accenture, a long-time SAP partner, will leverage the Ariba technology to expand its Procurement-as-a-Service offerings for its clients, the two companies announced Wednesday.

"Procurement is a great example of Accenture's As-a-Service strategy at work, and we have made significant investments in a highly specialized procurement infrastructure – comprised of people, process, and market intelligence and analytics across the full source-to-pay spectrum – that clients can quickly plug into to accelerate impact," said Mike McDaniel, senior managing director, Accenture operations, in a statement.

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Accenture, No. 2 on the CRN Solution Provider 500 list, already partners with SAP to implement Ariba for businesses that use the software to manage their procurement spending and sourcing operations.

The new agreement takes that relationship to the next level by integrating the Ariba Sourcing Professional technology, specifically its eRFX capabilities, directly into Accenture's proprietary procurement business process outsourcing platform. Specific terms of the deal weren't disclosed

The Accenture procurement system automates and integrates workflows across the source-to-payment process while collecting and analyzing procurement data. Adding SAP's Ariba technology to the Accenture solution will provide real-time scoring for qualitative questions, Accenture said, and advanced auction capabilities.

"This move also addresses a key need among clients looking for hybrid solutions where spend is managed by a combination of client and Accenture resources," McDaniel said. "By leveraging the same core technology, these teams can work in an even more synergistic and harmonized manner."

SAP acquired Ariba in 2012 for $4.3 billion and it has become a core component of the Waldorf, Germany-based company's transition to cloud computing.

"Today's supply chains are more complex and global than ever. And in order to effectively manage their trading relationships and spend[ing], companies need a strategic sourcing environment that is connected to a powerful supplier network and built with superior tools, expertise, and information," said David Johnston, senior vice president, partner ecosystem, SAP Ariba, in a statement.

"In combining SAP Ariba's best-in-class sourcing technology and business network with Accenture's deep strategy and category expertise, we can help companies of all sizes across industries drive fast, sustainable results."