Accenture and SAP Expand Global Alliance to Deliver Next Generation Cloud-Based Solutions for Procurement and Finance and Accounting BPO Clients

Accenture (NYSE:ACN) and Ariba, an SAP AG (NYSE:SAP) company, are expanding their global alliance through a first-of-its-kind agreement to offer new cloud-based solutions designed to transform the delivery of procurement and finance and accounting (F&A) business services to clients. Together, the two companies will redefine business process outsourcing (BPO) and define business operations services that can help clients become a best-run business by achieving significant process efficiencies and related cost savings.

The first solution to be delivered, which provides electronic invoicing capabilities via the Ariba Network, would enable clients to realize the value of the largest global business-to-business trading network. The Ariba Network, used by more than 1.5 million companies to transact over half a trillion dollars in commerce on an annual basis, will enable clients to drive a touchless global invoicing process that helps reduce operating costs, supports complex compliance requirements and improves business commerce collaboration. As a result, clients could drive more efficient enterprise-wide commerce, while at the same time optimizing working capital.

“This agreement represents an entirely new way that Accenture and SAP are teaming together to deliver innovative, industry-specific and technology-enabled operations solutions to clients,” said Mike Salvino, group chief executive, Accenture Operations. “Together, we can help our clients streamline their procurement processes to improve financial and business performance and increase competitiveness through insight generation, greater automation and speed, enhanced transparency, and higher levels of control and quality.”

“Business networks have changed the way companies collaborate with their supply chains,” said Dr. Chakib Bouhdary, executive vice president, Industry Solution and Business Networks, SAP. “By digitizing the interactions between companies, business networks are transforming how business is done in a global economy. Accenture will be able to deliver the next generation of BPO solutions with the Ariba Network and provide greater results for clients worldwide.”

Accenture intends to combine the industry leading business process and technology expertise of Accenture Operations, including key assets and capabilities resulting from its acquisition of procurement solutions provider Procurian, along with Ariba’s market leading cloud solutions and the Ariba Network to develop next generation offerings that further automate the procure-to-pay process.

These procurement and F&A BPO offerings, as well as other future solutions, will be defined in part through the recently launched Accenture and SAP Business Solutions Group. The new business solutions group brings together the companies’ respective co-innovation, joint solution development and go-to-market teams in an effort to focus on significantly accelerating time to value for clients globally.

About Accenture

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with approximately 289,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. The company generated net revenues of US$28.6 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2013. Its home page is www.accenture.com.

About Ariba, an SAP Company

Ariba is the world’s business commerce network. Ariba combines industry-leading cloud-based applications with the world's largest web-based trading community to help companies discover and collaborate with a global network of partners. Using the Ariba® Network, businesses of all sizes can connect to their trading partners anywhere, at any time from any application or device to buy, sell and manage their cash more efficiently and effectively than ever before. Companies around the world use the Ariba Network to simplify inter-enterprise commerce and enhance the results that they deliver. Join them at: www.ariba.com

About SAP

As market leader in enterprise application software, SAP (NYSE: SAP) helps companies of all sizes and industries run better. From back office to boardroom, warehouse to storefront, desktop to mobile device – SAP empowers people and organizations to work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively to stay ahead of the competition. SAP applications and services enable more than 253,500 customers to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and grow sustainably. For more information, visit www.sap.com.

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