On the heels of receiving "Powered by SAP NetWeaver®" qualification, Ariba®, Inc., the leading spend management solutions provider, today announced expanded availability of the Ariba Supplier Connectivity™ Adapter for the SAP NetWeaver platform. With wider shipment of the adapter, companies using mySAP™ Business Suite applications can now seamlessly connect to the Ariba Supplier Network™ solution to reduce the cost and simplify the process of connecting, transacting, and collaborating with their suppliers around the globe. The adapter is the latest in a series of software the company has issued to enable companies using ERP and other non-Ariba procurement systems to fully leverage Ariba Supplier Network.

"Spend management continues to evolve, but supplier connectivity remains a significant challenge," said Bob Solomon, senior vice president, Growing Enterprise Business, Ariba. "At Ariba, we're focused on eliminating this barrier by allowing companies to link to the Ariba Supplier Network solution, regardless of the ERP procurement solutions they may be using. With the expanded availability of the Ariba Supplier Connectivity Adapter for SAP NetWeaver, we continue to advance this strategy."

With more than 140,000 registered suppliers in 115 countries engaging in transactions worth more than $90 billion a year, Ariba Supplier Network is one of world's largest business transaction networks. Each month, participating buyers and suppliers conduct business with each other electronically, managing the complete procure-to-pay cycle - from sourcing to orders, to invoices, and payment. More than 25 million purchase orders and invoices were carried across the network in 2005.

According to Andrew Bartels, vice president and research analyst with Forrester Research, "Any company that has implemented Oracle, PeopleSoft, or SAP eProcurement should take a look at Ariba's supplier connectivity offer - especially if they have had challenges in getting suppliers connected to their systems."