Dubai: Expo 2020 Dubai, the only World Expo to secure a Procurement Excellence Award from the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, is making things even easier for participating suppliers.
The exposition has tied up with software provider and cloud company SAP to provide a payment and procurement system that is expected to benefit more than 25,000 Dubai-based suppliers.
Called SAP Ariba, the mobile-friendly platform automates the procure-to-pay lifecycle. The global-tech company’s cloud-based procurement solutions run on its UAE public cloud data center and connect to the Ariba Network, enabling buyers and suppliers to connect and transact. So far Dh1 billion worth of transactions have already been conducted on the platform.
Expo 2020 and SAP have run a series of onboarding summits for Expo’s valued supply chain network. Referencing Expo’s procurement plan, which requires a shift from construction to interior fit-outs as well as facilities management and technology services, Expo 2020 and SAP will continue to provide ongoing one-on-one support, including a helpdesk, to guide suppliers through the digital transactions and processes.
Through this collective platform registered suppliers can participate in sourcing events, negotiate, and sign contracts as well as submit invoices and track payments in real-time. “The implementation of SAP Ariba Solutions has “transformed” the end-to-end procure-to-pay cycle, setting new standards of procurement automation for large scale projects as such,” said Mohammed AlHashmi, Chief Technology Officer, Expo 2020 Dubai. “This collaboration also serves as an example of what can be accomplished with the help of technology partners to host one of the most digitally advanced World Expos ever,” said Al Hashmi.
Expo 2020 Dubai runs from October 1 to March 31.
-The writer is an intern with Gulf News
