Ariba Inc. has made available Ariba Network 49 (AN49), the newest version of its business-to-business commerce platform. The release includes new features designed to automate the trading partner enablement process, allowing buyers and suppliers to collaborate more effectively. They can eliminate manual tracking tools such as spreadsheets and offline databases. In the process, Ariba said, they can reducing the cost of invoice and payment processing, increase visibility and control of cash flow, mitigate supply-chain risk and improve their cash management. AN49 offers a direct link from the Ariba Network to Ariba Exchange, an online community where buyers and sellers can share insights and best practices. New information portals enable buyers to capture suppliers' questions at registration, and post answers in the form of additional content and reference files that can be accessed by the entire supply base. Users of the Ariba Network include more than 400 companies in the Fortune 500, as well as more than 325,000 selling organizations in 130 countries, the vendor claimed.
