Networks Fuel Next Wave of Business Transformation

Networks drove the first wave of business transformation. And the second is officially underway. Initially designed as a more efficient way to connect and collaborate, business networks have become a platform for innovation. And as a newly released podcast outlines, companies are embracing them to gain insights and enable new processes that drive competitive advantage.

“The power of data-driven business networks and the analytics derived from them are increasing,” said Dana Gardner, Principal Analyst, Interarbor Solutions and host of the podcast on BriefingsDirect, an IT news and trends discussion forum. “So too is the power of companies that are tapping into them as a means to deliver new services and products along with cost savings and efficiencies.”

Fueled by the connectivity and insights of business networks like the Ariba Network, organizations around the world are moving beyond transactions to deliver innovation and business outcomes.

“The consumer today really expects better, newer, and more innovative products in a rapid fashion and at a cheaper cost,” said Andrew Bartolini, Chief Research Officer of independent research firm Ardent Partners. “Companies are increasingly relying on business networks to deliver on this.”

And in the process, they are transforming their business. “The community intelligence, data and insights that live within networks provide infinitely more information that makes executives smarter and enables better business decisions,” said Rachel Spasser, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Ariba, an SAP Company. “And that is really changing the game.”

Best-in-class organizations used to be defined by their process discipline and ability to drive efficiencies and effectiveness. Today, it’s all about agility and innovation. And according to Bartolini, companies are turning to business networks to quickly enable it.

“From our research, we’re seeing that, organizations can invest in a business network and get a payback within a year,” he said.

Used by more than 1.5 million companies to transact over half a trillion in commerce on an annual basis, the Ariba Network is the world’s largest, most global business-to-business trading platform. To learn more about the network and the transformation it is enabling for companies of all sizes, across industries, visit www.ariba.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.

Any statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “predict,” “should” and “will” and similar expressions as they relate to SAP are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. SAP undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. The factors that could affect SAP's future financial results are discussed more fully in SAP's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including SAP's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates.
© 2014 SAP AG. All rights reserved.

SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP AG in Germany and other countries. Please see http://www.sap.com/corporate-en/legal/copyright/index.epx#trademark for additional trademark information and notices.

Note to editors:
To preview and download broadcast-standard stock footage and press photos digitally, please visit www.sap.com/photos. On this platform, you can find high resolution material for your media channels. To view video stories on diverse topics, visit www.sap-tv.com. From this site, you can embed videos into your own Web pages, share video via email links, and subscribe to RSS feeds from SAP TV.

Follow SAP on Twitter at @sapnews.

For customers interested in learning more about SAP products:
Global Customer Center: +49 180 534-34-24
United States Only: 1 (800) 872-1SAP (1-800-872-1727)

Contacts:

Ariba
Karen Master, 412-297-8177
kmaster@ariba.com

Data & News supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Stock quotes supplied by Barchart
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.