By : Mohamed El Kholy - Bakinam Khaled
More than 25,000 of Expo 2020 Dubai’s local and global suppliers will benefit from a real-time, unified digital procurement and payment platform, thanks to technology provided by SAP, its Innovative Enterprise Software Partner.
SAP Ariba solutions will fully digitise and automate the procure-to-pay lifecycle – providing a streamlined digital experience for Expo 2020’s suppliers, while enhancing transparency and efficiency across the event’s global supply chain. The global technology company’s cloud-based SAP Ariba procurement solutions run on its UAE public cloud data centre and connect to Ariba Network enabling buyers and suppliers to connect and transact.
Through this collaborative and mobile-friendly platform, registered suppliers can participate in sourcing events, negotiate and sign contracts, as well as submit invoices and track payments in real-time. Expo 2020 has already transacted more than AED 1 billion on the platform, highlighting its commitment to driving long-term business growth in the region and beyond, with a particular focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Mohammed AlHashmi, Chief Technology Officer, Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “Expo 2020 is a long-term investment in the future that aims to enhance opportunities for sustainable business connectivity and growth in both domestic and international economies. Our partnership with SAP is an example of what can be achieved with the invaluable support of our technology partners to host one of the most digitally advanced World Expos ever. The implementation of SAP Ariba solutions has transformed our end-to-end procure-to-pay cycle and helped set new standards of procurement automation for projects of this scale.”
Claudio Muruzabal, President of EMEA South, SAP, said: “Expo 2020 Dubai is demonstrating global best practices in digitising its procurement process with SAP Ariba solutions to help gain visibility into its spend, tighten collaboration with its suppliers, and achieve process automation, including completely paperless invoicing. Expo 2020 has already brought more than AED 1 billion in spend under management with SAP Ariba solutions.”
Expo 2020 and SAP have run a series of onboarding summits for Expo’s valued supply chain network. As Expo’s procurement needs shift from construction to interior fit-outs, facilities management and technology services, Expo 2020 and SAP will continue to provide ongoing one-on-one support, including a dedicated helpdesk, to guide suppliers throughout the evolution to digital transactions and processes.
Expo 2020 Dubai, which will open its doors to the world from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022, is the first World Expo and only the second mega-event to secure a Procurement Excellence Award from the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply.
