SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Donavan Robinson used to spend most of his time chasing orders and invoices. But thanks to Ariba, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARBA), the leading provider of collaborative business commerce solutions, and its Quadrem Network, they’re now coming to him. So he can focus on developing his business. As General Manager of Planet Waves/Robbies Electrical, his family’s South Africa-based electrical construction business, Robinson joined the Quadrem Network five months ago at the request of a key trading partner. He’s now using the cloud-based platform to more efficiently manage critical commerce transactions - from sending quotes and invoices to receiving orders and payments - so that he can better serve this customer and line up new ones.
“In the past, it might take me three weeks to track down an order with a customer,” Robinson said. “Now that I am connected to Quadrem, I can get things and respond to them immediately. And I don’t have to sit down and phone people. I can go visit clients and electronically see where things stand.”
Ariba’s Quadrem Network is used by buyers and suppliers across industries in more than 40 countries on six continents and allows trading partners to electronically connect and manage procurement activities – from RFQ reception and response, order confirmation and invoice submission - more efficiently and effectively than ever before. Together, Quadrem and Ariba form the world’s largest global supply network, with over 500,000 companies transacting more than $180 billion in commerce on an annual basis.
“In uniting our knowhow, solutions and people, Quadrem and Ariba deliver unparalleled network scale and reach that enables buyers and sellers around the world to improve supply chain performance and tap new business opportunities,” said Deon Mocke, Regional Vice President, Quadrem Africa. “Through the combined entities, companies have access to a truly global platform they can leverage to drive better commerce and enhance the results that they deliver.”
In addition to orders, Robinson plans to begin using the Quadrem Network to manage one of the biggest challenges he faces in doing business – invoicing.
“We deal with a lot of big companies, and invoices have to be signed and approved by many people,” he said. “Even if we send invoices via email, they have to print it, manually route it and then send it on for authorization. Only then do things get paid.”
And this, Robinson says, can take upwards of 30 days. He hopes to speed this by processing things through the Quadrem Network. “My goal is to be fully automated so that we can track where the money is and if things aren’t getting paid, see what’s going on and push things along.”
Robinson would ultimately like to expand his business. And he sees the Quadrem Network as a prime vehicle through which he can do this. “Quadrem in South Africa is connected to a lot of corporations and they can make introductions for us,” Robinson said. “If I go to a company and they are using Quadrem, I can say I am on the network and they can easily access me from their side and in this way, we can grow our business, and ultimately, our revenue.”
To hear more from Robinson on his use of Ariba’s Quadrem Network, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEhMfp0ErZM.
For more information on Ariba and its Quadrem Network and the value they can deliver, visit www.ariba.com.
About Planet Waves/Robbies Electrical
Planet Waves, trading as Robbies Electrical, is a full-service firm that specializes in all electrical construction, planned shutdowns, replacing of Major LT D/B boards, MV (installation of cables, transformers and switches) and set-up of functions. With locations in the North West Province, Planet Waves/Robbies Electrical employs approximately 60 people and serves private companies and large corporations across a range of industries. For more information on the company, please visit: www.robbieselectrical.co.za.
About Ariba, Inc.
Ariba, Inc. is the leading provider of collaborative business commerce solutions. Ariba combines industry-leading technology with the world's largest web-based trading community to help companies discover, connect and collaborate with a global network of partners – all in a cloud-based environment. Using the Ariba® Commerce Cloud, businesses of all sizes can buy, sell and manage cash more efficiently and effectively. Over 500,000 companies around the globe use the Ariba Commerce Cloud to simplify inter-enterprise commerce and enhance results. Why not join them? To get on the path to Better Commerce visit: www.ariba.com/commercecloud/.
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Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995: Information and announcements in this release involve Ariba's expectations, beliefs, hopes, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future and are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements included in this release are based upon information available to Ariba as of the date of the release, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results could differ materially from our current expectations. Factors that could cause or contribute to Ariba's operating and financial results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: the impact of the credit crises on Ariba’s results of operations and financial condition; delays in development or shipment of new versions of Ariba's products and services; lack of market acceptance of Ariba's existing or future products or services; inability to continue to develop competitive new products and services on a timely basis; introduction of new products or services by major competitors; the impact of any acquisitions, including difficulties with the integration process or the realization of benefits of a transaction; the impact of our disposition, including the potential disruption of our ongoing business; the ability to attract and retain qualified employees; long and unpredictable sales cycles and the deferrals of anticipated orders; declining economic conditions, including the impact of a recession; inability to control costs; changes in the company's pricing or compensation policies; significant fluctuations in our stock price; the outcome of and costs associated with pending or potential future regulatory or legal proceedings; the impact of our acquisitions and dispositions, including the disruption or loss of customer, business partner, supplier or employee relationships; and the level of costs and expenses incurred by Ariba as a result of such transactions. Factors and risks associated with its business, including a number of the factors and risks described above, are discussed in Ariba's Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 5, 2011.