Supplier portal - SAP Ariba

Brisbane City Council has partnered with SAP Ariba to help streamline how we work with our suppliers. Council will use the SAP Ariba platform to manage supplier registrations and information and upcoming business opportunities.

What is SAP Ariba and why is Council transitioning?

SAP Ariba is a cloud-based platform, allowing Council to collaborate and transact electronically, delivering greater efficiencies to our procurement processes. It will enable us to streamline and better manage supplier registrations, tender requests, contracts, and supplier performance management, making it easier to do business with us. Read our FAQs on this topic.

Benefits for suppliers using SAP Ariba

SAP Ariba procurement processes will be automated, with greater visibility, making the process more efficient. This will result in time savings for suppliers and provide an additional layer of security for your data.

Once you have your SAP Ariba account, you will experience:

an easier way to update essential business information such as contact and bank details and any certificates or licences you may need when doing business with Council
a digital self-service portal that allows you to manage all Council business in one location, saving you time
the opportunity to participate in sourcing events and bid for contracts through a streamlined tender process that provides easy access, viewing and submission of documentation
real-time notifications, including automatic alerts, to be included in relevant tenders based on your chosen United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC).

What does this mean for suppliers?

Once Council transitions to SAP Ariba, you will need a SAP Business Network account to take part in upcoming business opportunities to supply goods and services to Council.

There are no fees associated with transacting with Council through the Standard SAP Business Network account. The Standard SAP Business Network account facilitates quick and paperless uploading of business details, supporting contract documentation, and instant updates to avoid missing tender notifications.

If you already have a SAP Business Network account, you do not have to create a new profile.

How to register and create your SAP Business Network account

Council will begin the transition to SAP Ariba this financial year.

To ensure a smooth transition, we will email suppliers during the rollout to explain how to register and the steps needed to create a SAP Business Network account.

Please check Council’s website regularly, as we will be continually updating the support information to ensure a seamless transition.

Frequently asked questions

What is SAP Ariba and the SAP Business Network and why are we transitioning?

What is the SAP Business Network?

The SAP Business Network is a cloud-based procurement platform for both buyers and suppliers. Through the SAP Business Network, businesses of all sizes can connect to their trading partners anywhere, at any time and from any application or device to buy, sell and manage their sales and procurement activities more efficiently. SAP Ariba is part of the SAP Business Network.

Why is Council transitioning to SAP Ariba?

Currently, our procurement processes rely on the use of different systems, older technology, and many manual processes.

SAP Ariba will deliver a modern, streamlined, and efficient way of managing procurement in Council, improving end-to-end procurement processes.

Once Council transitions to SAP Ariba, you will need to have a SAP Business Network account to supply goods and services to Council.

When will the transition to SAP Ariba happen?

The new supplier registration and tendering portal is a SAP Ariba product and will be available this financial year. Council’s corporate website will be updated with information as we get closer to our planned go-live date providing direction on how to register and the steps needed to create a SAP Business Network account.

Can we trade with Council if we do not want to move to/use SAP Ariba?

Once Council transitions to SAP Ariba, suppliers will need a SAP Business Network account to take part in the supply of goods and services to Council.

Council will be using SAP Ariba to alert interested suppliers of upcoming tenders. To be eligible to receive information and submit a tender bid, suppliers will be required to use SAP Ariba.

There is no cost to the supplier to have a SAP Standard Business Network account.

Will this impact my contract and payment?

The terms and conditions of your contract and payment of invoices with Council will remain the same.

I am about to sell/close/liquidate my business

Until Council transitions to SAP Ariba, suppliers will need to follow the current process. Email Vendor Master Data to update changes to your business details.

I'm about to change my details. What do I need to do?

Until Council transitions to SAP Ariba, suppliers will need to follow the current process to make changes to their supplier account details. Email Vendor Master Data to update changes to your business details.

How will Council support suppliers to move to the new portal?

A dedicated Vendor Engagement Team (VET) has been established to support suppliers’ move to SAP Ariba. The transition to SAP Ariba will commence this financial year. During the transition VET may contact you via email. Any communication emails will be sent to the nominated contact email address currently held in our records.

I currently have a tender in progress. What will happen with that?

If you have commenced your tender through the current portal, nothing will change.

How secure is SAP Ariba?

Encryption is an important part of SAP Ariba’s data protection strategy. End-to-end encryption uses both encryption-at-rest and encryption-in-transit to keep your data safe and secure.

What infrastructure and browser versions are certified for SAP Ariba?

A regular internet connection, email and web browser are the only requirements. All common browsers are supported.

Microsoft Edge 32-bit
Chrome 54+ 64-bit
Mozilla Firefox 49+ 64-bit
Safari 9+ 64-bit
Mozilla Firefox 17+
Safari 5
Mobile Safari on iPad (iOS 6 or above)
Microsoft Edge Chromium 79+ 32-bit and 64-bit

Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 (and older) is not supported.

Go to SAP Ariba and click Supported browsers and plugins at the bottom left of the page to access a list of currently supported browsers.

Where can I find more information?

If you have questions that have not been answered by the 'frequently asked questions' email Vendor Engagement team for more information.

Will there be any training for suppliers?

Council will be developing Quick Reference Guides to assist you to onboard and develop your SAP Ariba profile.

SAP Business Network account registration

How do I register to become a supplier to Council and how do I register for a SAP Business Network account?

The new supplier registration and tendering portal is a SAP Ariba product and will be available this financial year.

You will be notified via the email contact you have registered with Council when SAP Ariba is ready for your details.

Are there fees associated with a SAP Business Network account?

Suppliers will only need a Standard SAP Business Network account to transact with Council. There are no fees to collaborate with Council through your Standard SAP Business Network account.

What is the difference between a Standard SAP Business Network account and an Enterprise SAP Business Network account?

There are two types of SAP Business Network accounts: Standard and Enterprise.

Standard accounts are free, easy-to-use accounts that allow suppliers to exchange an unlimited number of basic documents.

Enterprise accounts offer suppliers greater functionality and support but are subject to fees depending on transaction volume. We encourage you to understand the fees associated with an Enterprise Account.

For more information about accounts and fees, visit SAP Ariba Help.

For more information

For more information and support contact our Vendor Engagement Team.

Last updated: 14 February 2024