SAP Ariba will team up with cloud-based application provider ConnXus to help larger businesses connect with smaller and more diverse suppliers for their buying.
ConnXus provides solutions designed to help companies achieve their goals of responsible and sustainable sourcing. For example, the ConnXus Database allows companies to easily search for a certified, diverse supplier by location, certifying agency, diversity classification and more.
“In 2016 alone, over $10 million in RFP, RFI and RFQ events were distributed on the ConnXus platform by Fortune2000 companies, reaching over 1.7 million diverse supplier certifications and company profiles,” said Daryl Hammett, COO/co-owner, ConnXus.
In an effort to increase the amount of diverse spend, SAP Ariba and ConnXus intend to connect the ConnXus Database to offerings such as SAP Ariba Discovery.
Buyers using Ariba Discovery will be able to post RFP, RFQ and RFI opportunities on the ConnXus platform and vice versa via a new API.
“Together, we can open up RFP, RFQ and RFI events to a wider pool of minority-, woman-, LGBT- and veteran-owned businesses and enable global supply chains to become more responsible, sustainable and inclusive,” said Rod Robinson, CEO, ConnXus.
M&R Distribution Services is a small, minority-owned firm connected to the Ariba Network, and Quentin McCorvey, Snr, president and chief operating officer said the company hopes to take advantage of these new capabilities.
“There is often a stigma associated with awarding large contracts to small, minority-owned firms. I am not looking for a handout, I am looking for a handshake – an opportunity to earn the business of a customer. SAP Ariba provides me with a platform from which I can do this and I look forward to the expansion of their capabilities with ConnXus.”
The announcement was made at SAP Ariba Live at Las Vegas this week.
