It is hard not to notice the speed at which technology is racing towards global domination. Some argue whether it is a good thing or a bad thing. However, the truth is that it is here and it is time for business owners to make a choice about digital transformation before they get left behind. One great way to get help with the transformation is to hire an SAP Ariba consultant to guide the process.
Technology in Business
It may be safe to say that when businesses began using the telegraph to communicate in the 1800s they were dawing on the new era of technology. Radios, telephones, calculators, and so on were all steps that the corporate world took towards becoming dependent on the electronics that they use to do work today.
Since the beginning of this technological evolution, the world of electronics has been continually evolving and making its way into every aspect of the common lives of people. Moreover, technology is beginning to dominate the business world and is coming to a point where it is necessary to have it in order to stay in business.
Since all of the major players in the business world are transforming the way that they operate into a digital format it will be pretty much impossible for businesses that refuse to transform to be able to operate.
- Communication
- Banks
- Government
Communication and money are two crucial elements for businesses to continue to operate. Without them, there is no business. Since these two factors are turning more towards using technology to conduct everyday business, there may not be any other option than for companies to shift the way they do things.
The Digital Transformation
Back when the SAP Ariba company first started its journey the founders had a mission to help businesses develop a streamlined procurement strategy that cut out all of the excess paperwork and hefty files that were necessary to facilitate a good procurement strategy.
Being able to convert tons of heavy, bulky files into tiny digital files that fit onto a hard drive was a big deal. The difference between a room full of filing cabinets and a large drive full of files is enough to save a company a lot of room and a lot of money.
At one point many of the older establishments such as courthouses and government buildings began to take pictures of their old files and save them to a disk. They called this microfilming. Between the early stages of digital transformation and the way that things are done now, there has been much change.
Implementing a digital transformation means taking all of the physical elements that can possibly be converted into digital assets and changing them into the formats that they fit into.
Where long ago we would simply take pictures of the files, or whatever, now we can simply scan paperwork into digital files, record audio files, type information into databases…the list goes on.
The Need for Digital Transformation
Of course, there are possible ways for companies to refuse to transform to a digital format…but why? When it comes to the procurement process of a business there is no reason to risk losing thousands of dollars every cycle or wasting time and energy.
It only makes sense that if all of the major players are connecting their resources to the internet it is wise to tap into what is available. When you transform your local business into a worldwide company simply by connecting to the internet you are connecting to an entire world of opportunity.
The way things are going today, the companies that refuse to connect are denying themselves access to a global market with an endless supply of potential customers and clients.
From Source to Pay
In addition to the endless potential for growth by connecting to the world, a business can take advantage of the connection to reach out to various sources of products and services throughout a vast market that is available through certain avenues on the internet.
The SAP Ariba platform was created so that businesses could connect with resources around the world and be able to harness the potential that they have into a centralized solution that the company can use at any given moment.
Imagine the difference between a limited list of potential sources that may or may not have what you need when you need it and a plethora of perfectly matched options to choose from at your fingertips.
Between finding your perfect sources, connecting with those sources and generating contracts that save money, and going through the entire source-to-pay process without ever having to leave the desk you can save a ton of resources and funds.
Where the Consultant Comes In
For some companies, hiring a consultant is the last resort. It is difficult to trust an outsider with the financial inner workings of a business. However, a consultant can show a company how to get the most out of their investment and get back every penny that they spent paying for the consultant in the first place.
A qualified consultant will understand:
- The SAP Ariba platform
- Technological integration
- Global connectivity
- Procurement
- Spend management
The consultant will understand the key elements of the way that businesses work and how to integrate the workings of the company with the flow of their new technology investment. Where the business owner and the rest of the decision-makers for the company are highly qualified and skilled in what they know, the consultant can bring education and understanding about the technology to the people in the company that need it.
As the application goes through the implementation process your consultant will be able to help you create a unique foundation for the platform to stand on that is custom fit to the needs of the company.
The Power of Technology
During the initial installation and deployment of the SAP Ariba platform, there may be a time when things will seem overwhelming and difficult. However, this is the time to be excited. This is the beginning of a new way to do business.
With the aid of smart technology, there is no more room for guesswork or wishful thinking. The software can take information that is available across multiple platforms and bring it into a nice, dynamic report that shows everything you could want to know within seconds.
You will be able to see where flawed spending caused problems in the past and correct every issue with a viable solution.
The company will be able to identify and reach high-quality sources anywhere in the world and put them to good use.
By using information that is available within the seemingly endless network the software can predict safe ways to spend money and show where there are large risks. This information can be used to maximize returns on spending and minimize the costs going outward.
Conclusion
Implementing the SAP Ariba suite is one of the best decisions a company could ever make if they want to get the most out of their spending. Hiring a skilled and qualified consultant to lead the way to success is a for-sure way to reach seemingly impossible goals and keep the company on track.
