Accenture (NYSE:ACN) is expanding its collaboration with SAP Ariba to deliver next-generation Procurement business process outsourcing (BPO) services. The SAP Ariba Sourcing Professional solution will be integrated into Accenture’s proprietary procurement platform which is used by its category and procurement experts to deliver Procurement as a Service and help clients achieve better business outcomes.

Accenture has a long history implementing and enabling SAP Aribasolutions for clients who manage spend and all sourcing activity internally, while using a proprietary solution to serve Procurement BPO clients. In recent years, more companies have moved toward hybrid operating models whereby they manage select categories internally, and leverage Accenture’s capabilities in other categories, in order to enhance and accelerate their reach, agility and impact. To bring these clients a more harmonized solution and experience across all of their spend categories, Accenture will integrate Ariba® Sourcing Professional functionality into its existing source-to-pay platform and leverage the eRFX capabilities of the solution as a core part of its Sourcing platform.

This proprietary platform automates and integrates workflow across the source-to-pay process while also harvesting and providing unique market insights and analytics, gathered across clients and then infused back into the process, to improve outcomes. With Ariba Sourcing Professional, Accenture will gain robust real-time scoring of qualitative questions and advanced auction capabilities such as Index based auctions and Net Present Value (NPV) auctions.

“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. “Embedding additional SAP Ariba functionality into this infrastructure demonstrates our commitment to continuously expanding and enhancing the capabilities and services we bring to clients. 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. By leveraging the same core technology, these teams can work in an even more synergistic and harmonized manner.”

“Today’s supply chains are more complex and global than ever. And in order to effectively manage their trading relationships and spend, 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. “We are pleased to be joining forces with Accenture to enable this environment for their clients. 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.”

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries and all business functions – underpinned by the world’s largest delivery network – Accenture works at the intersection of business and technology to help clients improve their performance and create sustainable value for their stakeholders. With approximately 373,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world works and lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

About SAP Ariba

SAP Ariba is the world’s business commerce network. SAP Ariba combines industry-leading cloud-based applications with the world's largest Internet-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.

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