Top 3 myths about the supplier experience on SAP Business Network

As world’s largest business network with over 2 million transacting suppliers, SAP Business Network focuses on delivering value not only to our customers but also to their suppliers on the network.

That said, there are a number myths around the supplier experience that this blog will address:

1. Suppliers have to go through a lengthy and complicated registration process to transact with their customers on SAP Business Network

While suppliers do have to register on SAP Business Network, the registration process is straightforward. Suppliers will fill out standard information such as company name, address, and contact information for the account administrator. Once registered, suppliers can fill out their company profile with product categories, service location, certificates, and more. This is to the benefit of the supplier in that it’s a channel for marketing their company, allowing for them to be found by other buyers on the network.

Customers may also choose to onboard their suppliers through quick enablement. Quick enablement allows customers to create new SAP Business Network accounts on behalf of their suppliers. Customers can send a purchase order, payment proposal or request for quotation to suppliers via email. Suppliers can click the link in the email to start the registration process.

2. SAP Business Network is restrictive for suppliers with a number of business rules they have to follow

There are a number of business rules that customers can configure on SAP Business Network. While it may seem restrictive for suppliers, the rules are in place based on the customers’ business processes. It automates the manual validation process so that documents can be processed much faster.

If suppliers adhere to their customers’ business rules, there is less likelihood of invoices getting rejected. It reduces the manual back and forth communication between suppliers and customers’ accounts payable teams which means payments can be made faster. Suppliers need to be aware of what their customers’ business rules are, and this can be found in detail for each of their customers on the trading partner portal.

3. Suppliers have to pay to transact with their customers

This misconception has been around for a decade now. While there is a paid enterprise subscription account, majority of suppliers on SAP Business Network are on the free standard account. The standard account allows suppliers to transact an unlimited number of documents at no cost. There are some added benefits that come with the enterprise account, such as integration capabilities, document archiving and extended support. However, the standard account is sufficient for suppliers needing to manage purchase orders and invoices, monitor payment status, participate in sourcing events, collaborate on contracts and create digital catalogs.

Learn more about the supplier experience on sap.com