2021 Release Resources: SAP Business Network
A list of features for SAP Business Network released in 2021

	2021 Feature Overview webcasts	What's new in SAP Ariba user guide

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	Procurement Collaboration	Release	Enablement Model			Learn More	Learn More
			Automatically On 	Customer Configured 		KT 	Demo 
	Enhancements for temporary unit prices in purchase orders and order confirmations [CSC-10323] This feature enables buyers to control whether suppliers must explicitly confirm all temporary unit prices in an order confirmation. For suppliers, the feature adds markers to identify which unit prices are temporary, and a checkbox to confirm temporary unit prices.	2111
	Allow ship-notice cancellation and editing if goods receipt fully reversed [CSC-22063] - Feature For Suppliers This feature allows suppliers to cancel or edit a ship notice if its goods receipt is fully reversed and it does not have any other related goods receipts. Prior to this feature, cancelling or editing a ship notice with a goods receipt was not allowed, even if the ship notice's goods receipt was fully reversed.	2111
	Track the progress of orders and releases [CSC-25113] This feature provides buyers with a quick overview of the purchase order process, ensuring it runs in a smooth and organized manner.	2111
	Track the progress of orders and releases - global track and trace option [CSC-28201] This feature provides buyers the ability to receive tracking information in Ariba Network for ship notices, using SAP Logistics Business Network, global track and trace option.	2111		submit Case
	Tax invoicing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [NG-4908] Ariba Network now supports electronic tax invoicing solution in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This includes receiving, validating, transforming, and transmitting tax invoices between supplier and buyer organizations through Ariba Network. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia tax authority, known as the Saudi Arabian Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA), mandates legal compliance on all the commercial transactions between suppliers and buyers. Electronic invoicing in KSA is rolled-out in two phases. The first phase is effective December 4, 2021. The following guidelines must be followed by the taxpayers in the first phase: - All domestic taxpayers must generate, amend, and store electronic invoices and related documents such as, credit and debit notes. - Documents must be in structured file formats. For example, XML. - Uncontrolled access, modifying invoices and logs, and multiple invoice sequences are prohibited.	2111
	Support for automatic generation of invoices from approved service entry sheets [NP-21092] This feature enables automatic generation of invoices from approved service entry sheets in Ariba Network in the Service Procurement with Ariba Network and SAP Fieldglass (4R2) integration scenario. Invoices are generated only for those service entry sheets that are associated with purchase order line items containing planned lean-service items and have tax information.	2111
	PDF invoice conversion workbench tiles [NP-26210] - Feature For Suppliers The PDF invoice conversion functionality is available to suppliers as the PDF Invoice conversions and Pending PDF invoice conversions tiles on the Workbench.	2111
	Draft PDF invoices for review workbench tile [NP-26211] - Feature For Suppliers PDF invoice functionality for Review as Drafts is now available with a new tile in the Workbench.	2111
	Provision in Ariba Network to control the availability of CIG data center switch option [NP-28892] The SAP Ariba Cloud Integration Gateway (CIG) US data center is available (in addition to the Europe data center). Existing users (with any of the North, Central, and South American countries set under their Company Profile) have the option of switching from the Europe data center to the new US data center. Previously, this option was available to all users regardless of their roles in the organization. If a user initiated the switching of the data center without the SAP Ariba recommended configuration and testing, it could lead to undesirable consequences. Therefore, to avoid accidental or premature switching of the CIG data center, a provision is now made in Ariba Network such that the availability of the data center switching option is available only to an administrator user.	2111
	Support for creation of invoices against enhanced-limit material items [NP-28983] This feature enables supplier users to create invoices against enhanced-limit material items in purchase orders without the necessity of ship notices or goods receipts, in the Automation of Source-to-Pay with Ariba Network (42K) integration scenario. The enhanced-limit material items in Ariba Network correspond to product type group Material (1) items in SAP S/4HANA and SAP S/4HANA Cloud.	2111
	Brazil Tax ID for registration [NS-13071] This feature describes the mandatory Brazil Tax ID for registration on the SAP Business Network.	2111
	CSV upload of suppliers into discount program [PAY-5419] Buyers can upload or download, in CSV format, a list of suppliers invited to their early payment discounting program. This makes it easier to update or review suppliers invited.	2111
	Early payment offer updates after acceptance [PAY-5515] If an accepted early payment offer has not received a matching remittance by the due date then, optionally, the payment date and discount amount can be recalculated. In the case where an accepted early payment offer is late, an updated payment proposal request is created with a new payment date and payment amount.	2111
	Improved display of extrinsics on the Remittance Advice page [PAY-6201] The Remittance Advice page now displays cXML extrinsics one per line in the Additional Information section, which improves the readability of information.	2111
	Discount percent precision change [PAY-6341] The discount calculation algorithm has been changed to match that of SAP. Now, Ariba network uses a discount percent with a precision of 3 decimal places to calculate the discount amount in discount offers. Ariba Network also passes DiscountPercent, determined by the discounting capability, in the cXML PaymentProposalRequest update (cXML 1.2.051) to the ERP of buyers.	2111
	SAP Supplier Financing available for US suppliers [PAY-6939] - Feature For Suppliers SAP Supplier financing is now available for all US suppliers, regardless of their revenue.	2111
	Download current transactions [REGAN-3407] The administrator for your Ariba Network account and other users with appropriate permission can request to download your account's transaction data at any time for any period up to 90 days. If you would like to be notified by email when ZIP files are available to download, ask your administrator to set up notifications.	2111
	Activity feed widget [SA-16253] - Feature For Suppliers The new Activity feed widget displays real-time transaction activity and offers you a way to quickly navigate to those transactions.	2111
	Items to Ship in new supplier workbench [CSC-19230] The Items to Ship tile has been added to the new supplier workbench, allowing you to create online ship notices more quickly and efficiently.	2108
	User interface support for customer reference [CSC-24808] In the Ariba Network user interface, this feature adds a customer reference to the details page of an order or release.	2108
	Validation of invoice reference number in pre-approved invoices for India. [NG-4710] According to the 2019 tax regulation in India, when a supplier submits an invoice online to the Invoice Registration Portal (IRP), a unique invoice reference number (IRN) and QR code are generated for that invoice. Suppliers must provide the IRN along with other invoice details and upload the pre-approved invoice during invoice creation in Ariba Network. The IRN, invoice date, invoice number, and GSTN provided must be the same as in the uploaded pre-approved invoice.   Ariba Network now validates the IRN in pre-approved invoices during invoice creation. Ariba Network computes an IRN value within the system using parameters such as invoice number, invoice date (financial year), and supplier GSTN, and then validates it against the entered IRN. The system displays an error message if there is a mismatch in any one of these values. This prevents suppliers from updating incorrect IRN.	2108
	Support for orders containing both material and lean-service items in the 4R2 integration scenario [NP-25895] With this feature, orders containing both material and lean-service items are supported in the Service Procurement with Ariba Network and SAP Fieldglass (4R2) integration scenario. It also supports multi-line service entry sheets and associated invoices.	2108
	Enhancements to the analytics stories [NP-27288] This feature enhances the purchase order and invoice overview stories with the addition of Company Code, Purchasing Group, Purchasing Organization, System ID, and Vendor ID dimensions. Users can choose to view data related to either the number of documents or total amounts in relation to these dimensions.	2108
	SAP Supplier Financing [PAY-3711] SAP Ariba Supplier Financing leverages the digital footprints created on Ariba Network to reduce friction for MSMEs (Micro, Small and Mid-Sized Enterprises) in pursuit of financial health. It’s a self-service solution that enables small businesses who want to find suitable working capital finance by simply consenting access to their data and be provided with a list of pre-qualified offers at competitive terms from multiple online funders/lenders. The suppliers may select one or more pre-qualified offers to complete the full due diligence and on boarding formalities with the funder/lender; which will be covered under separate terms of use and financial agreements of that specific funder/lender. During the term of the financial agreement between the two parties, the solution will also automate exchange of the AN transaction data with the chosen lender/funder to simplify the lending/funding process.	2108
	Early Payment Offer Email Notification Improvements [PAY-5414] SAP Ariba now allows suppliers to choose a frequency the receive early payment notifications – either once per approved invoice or once per day at a supplier-specified time.	2108
	Early Payment Limit Improvements [PAY-5448] When Buyers increase early payment limits, previously-ineligible scheduled payments are now re-evaluated to verify eligibility. In addition, Buyers are now able to delete early payment limits.  These improvements allow Buyers to recover and reissue discount offers when limits are accidently crossed.	2108
	Enhancements to transaction data deletion and retention for Ariba Network [REGAN-1654] This feature provides the following enhancements to the transaction data deletion and retention policy for Ariba Network: - Recurring deletion and one-time deletion: In addition to being able to request recurring deletion of transaction data, users can now request a one-time deletion of data. - Download of transaction documents identified for deletion: After documents are identified for deletion, users have up to thirty days to download the ZIP files. - Additional document types can be deleted: Spot quotes and proof of services are now supported for deletion.	2108
	Revocation of user access from Ariba Network and removal of user's personal information [REGAN-1716] Ariba Network users can request the administrator to remove their personal information from the system. If approved, the user no longer can log into Ariba Network, and their personal information is no longer visible to users, including in transaction documents.	2108
	Organization Profile report [REGAN-3372] Previously, Ariba Network customers couldn't export their company profile. With this feature, Ariba Network buyers and suppliers can generate an Organization Profile report, a simple way to download their company profile information from Ariba Network in CSV format.	2108
	On-time payment rate KPI and benchmarking widgets [SA-12332] The On-time payment rate KPI and benchmarking widgets allow suppliers to compare the performance of their customers to the aggregate performance of the network by supplier region, buyer industry, and performance quartile.	2108
	Document number links in workbench tiles for Standard accounts [SA-23330] The Standard account experience has been improved to allow navigation to document details pages from all workbench tiles. On document pages, Standard account users can now perform actions based on their permissions.	2108
	Supplier Portal and Workbench [SA-9251] - Feature for Suppliers The Ariba Network supplier home page has been redesigned to be a Supplier Portal, with simplified navigation, an overview of your transactions, and insights and promotional widgets. The Supplier Portal also includes the Workbench, which is a highly customizable page that allows you to get a quick overview of transaction documents that need your attention. The Inbox and Outbox have been replaced with object-oriented menus, which logically group objects by their business process.	2105				(Supplement: Items To Confirm functionality)
	SAP Business Network Supplier Mobile App 6.4.0 [SA-17796] - Feature for Suppliers We’ve added the ability to create new accounts and manage your trading relationships: * Sign up for a new Ariba Network account directly from the mobile app * View, accept, and dismiss relationship requests from potential trading partners	2105
	SAP Business Network: Improved supplier registration [NS-10511] This feature introduces a more streamlined onboarding experience for both existing suppliers and net-new suppliers, and also introduces SAP Business Network as the name for the unified network experience for all trading partners. It includes two different workflows: when a buyer invites a supplier to establish a business relationship, and when a supplier initiates a relationship (walk up).  This makes the supplier registration process easier to navigate and understand. It includes a refreshed look and feel, a new universal registration landing page, buyer branded invitation messages, improved navigation, augmented search for existing accounts, improved communication directives, more intuitive UI, and overall enhancements to the registration workflow.	2105				(Overview) (Overview with Admin Guide and Seller Experience)
	Validate the delivery-date tolerances in ship notices [CSC-14603] This feature allows buyers to set how many days early or late a ship-notice delivery date can be from the delivery date requested in an order or release. If during ship-notice validation this feature identifies a ship-notice delivery date that is outside the allowed tolerance, it prevents submission of the ship notice. Buyers can configure these tolerances for all their suppliers or for supplier groups.	2105
	Order confirmation for enhanced-limit material and service line items [CSC-21608] With this feature, suppliers can create confirmations for enhanced-limit service and material line items in a purchase order. Suppliers can edit the service start and end dates, and update the expected value.	2105
	Tax invoicing enhancements for Hungary to comply with 3.0 XSD schema change effective April 01, 2021 [NG-1387] Ariba Network provides tax invoicing solution for Hungary. Previously, the invoicing solution was using 2.0 XSD schema for invoice reporting to the National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) system. However, effective April 1, 2021, NAV mandates the use of 3.0 XSD schema. * The invoicing solution continues to work as before and now provides an option to enter an exemption or VAT out of scope reason as required by 3.0 XSD schema. * The invoicing user interface now displays the list of exemption or VAT out of scope reason provided by NAV and the suppliers can specify the reason for zero-rate VAT during invoice creation.	2105
	Tax invoicing enhancements for the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland to comply with Brexit effective January 01, 2021 [NG-1395] In accordance with Brexit, effective January 01, 2021, the United Kingdom is no longer part of the European Union (EU). Northern Ireland remains considered as a European Union country for supply of goods to the European Union (EU), but not for supply of services.  Ariba Network now provides an enhanced invoicing solution for the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.	2105
	Support for the Services Procurement with Ariba Network and SAP Fieldglass (4R2) integration scenario with SAP S/4HANA Cloud [NP-20140] This feature provides support for the Services Procurement with Ariba Network and SAP Fieldglass (4R2) integration scenario. It includes integration between SAP S/4HANA Cloud, SAP Fieldglass, and Ariba Network for services procurement and supports the exchange of documents such as orders, service sheets, and invoices.	2105
	Procurement data analytics in Ariba Network [NP-24865] This feature introduces data analytics related to your procurement activities. Predefined stories (presentation-style documents that describe data) can be displayed in the new Analytics dashboard in the directly in the Ariba Network user interface for  buyers.	2105
	Enhancement to support integration between Central Procurement and SAP Ariba Discovery for Central RFQs [NS-14083] As part of the scope item Automation of Central Procurement Quotes with Ariba Network (5JT), this feature introduces a new extrinsic element in the existing Quote Request and Quote Message cXMLs to differentiate between Central RFQ (cRFQ) coming from SAP S/4HANA Cloud Central Procurement Hub versus local RFQ objects from Quote Automation, so that SAP Ariba Cloud Integration Gateway can route them accordingly.	2105
	Object-oriented menus for Ariba Network [NS-7561] The Ariba Network Inbox and Outbox have been replaced with object-oriented menus for all buyers and suppliers. Menu items are now grouped logically by process, improving navigation and usability.	2105
	Discounting Supplier Experience Improvements [PAY-5707] The early payment and discounting capability has been improved to help you more easily access, review, and accept offers.  You can now download and print offers as PDF and choose to receive a daily digest of early payment offers.	2105
	Multi-factor authentication for user login to Ariba Network [SI-1110] Multi-factor authentication is a two-step verification process where users are required to authenticate themselves a second time using a time-based verification code. As compared to the single step authentication process, the multi-factor authentication process provides enhanced security.  Previously, if multi-factor authentication was enabled for critical fields, users were required to perform the two-step verification process only while attempting to update the values of critical fields such as email addresses, phone numbers, remittance information and so on. With multi-factor authentication enabled for login, users are required to perform the two-step verification process to log into Ariba Network.	2102
	Email notification of purchase order changes [CSC-19203] - Feature for Suppliers This feature introduces support for suppliers to enable email notifications of changes in existing purchase orders. The supplier receives an email displaying up to three updates that were made in the purchase order and is prompted to log in to Ariba Network to see all updates.	2102
	India GST 2020 Tax Invoice Solution [NP-20207] The tax authority in India requires online submission of invoices to the Invoice Registration Portal (IRP) for a select set of suppliers. Suppliers with turnover more than INR 500 crore (INR 5 billion) must report their invoices to the IRP online.	2102
	India GST enhancements to support both 2017 and 2019 tax invoice regulatory workflows [NP-26237] The tax authority in India requires online submission of invoices to the Invoice Registration Portal (IRP) for a select set of suppliers. Suppliers with turnover more than INR 500 crore (INR 5 billion) must report their invoices to the IRP online.	2102
	Extend NAV reporting from domestic-only to domestic and cross-border transactions [NP-26333] - Feature for Suppliers Tax invoicing in Hungary provides an electronic invoicing solution that includes receiving, validating, transforming, reporting, and transmitting tax invoices to buying organizations through Ariba Network.	2102
	Outbound enhancements for Italy to comply with FPA schema change effective January 01 2021 [NP-26335] Suppliers in Italy must report all electronic invoices through the governmental electronic invoicing platform Sistema di Interscambio (SDI). This is a mandate applicable to all industries in Italy.	2102
	Transaction data deletion & retention policy management in Ariba Network [REGAN-1254] The administrator for your Ariba Network account can specify criteria for automatically deleting transaction documents  every month based on the age of the documents.	2102
	SAP Ariba Cloud Integration Gateway routing based on data center location [REGAN-1757] With the addition of a new US Data Center for SAP Ariba Cloud Integration Gateway, this feature provides customers with the flexibility to configure the SAP Ariba Cloud Integration Gateway routing in Ariba Network to a relevant data center. Existing SAP Ariba Cloud Integration Gateway customers from North, Central, and South America can now switch over from the Europe Data Center to the US Data Center, and new customers are directed by default to the appropriate data center, based on the country set under their Company Profile.	2102
	Indicating success, failure, or progress status on the Configure Cloud Integration Gateway page when users enable/disable CIG routing or switch CIG data center [REGAN-1422] This feature indicates the success, failure, or progress status when users enable/disable SAP Ariba Cloud Integration Gateway (CIG) routing or switch CIG data center on the Configure Cloud Integration Gateway page in Ariba Network based on acknowledgment received from CIG. Every time users enable/disable CIG routing or switch CIG data center in Ariba Network, the request is routed to Cloud Integration Gateway. When Ariba Network receives acknowledgment from CIG on the success, failure, or progress of the request, an appropriate indication is shown on the Configure Cloud Integration Gateway page.	2102
	Audit log enhancements for switching data centers and enabling or disabling SAP Ariba Cloud Integration Gateway routing in Ariba Network [REGAN-1424] This feature adds entries to the Ariba Network audit log when users switch data centers and enable or disable SAP Ariba Cloud Integration Gateway routing.	2102

 

 

	Supply Chain Collaboration	Release	Enablement Model			Learn More
			Automatically On 	Customer Configured 		KT 
	Support GTL Standard for HU Numbers [CSC-15583] This feature provides buyers and suppliers a industry specific handling of handling unit number format for automated packaging structure creation.	2111
	Customizations for quality notifications [CSC-19954] This feature allows buyers to apply customizations to quality notification documents. They can create or update customization projects, each containing one or more customizations. After testing the customizations in the project, buyers can publish the project to selected suppliers.	2111
	Electronic signatures for quality inspections using DocuSign [CSC-23152] This feature allows buyers administrators to require that their suppliers electronically sign quality inspection results before submitting them. Electronic signatures help guarantee the truthfulness of information displayed in documents and are often required by regulatory entities.	2111
	MRP exceptions collaboration for purchase orders with change requests [CSC-24626] To aid in handling MRP exceptions, this feature adds the ability to manage purchase-order change requests from the Ariba Network user interface. Buyers and suppliers can monitor and respond to the change requests they send or receive.	2111
	Validate incoming Manufacturing Planning Visibility planning items [CSC-25261] This feature adds validation checking when suppliers create new or update existing Manufacturing Planning Visibility planning items. Specifically, it checks the combination of the planning item’s part number and location to make sure the combination matches at least one existing planning item that was previously created by the buyer for a planning process type such as Forecast, Supplier managed inventory, or Replenishment.	2111
	Add manufacturing fields and visibility settings to planning processes [CSC-26480] This feature adds two fields, Manufacturer name and Manufacturer part ID (in cXML, ManufacturerName and ManufacturerPartID), to planning items. This feature also introduces two manufacturing visibility settings.	2111
	Quarterly time series for planning and forecast collaboration [CSC-22702] This feature adds the Quarterly time series granularity to the existing Daily, Weekly, Monthly, and Yearly time series granularities for planning and forecast collaboration. Forecast commits can be made using any of these time series granularities from both the user interface and Excel files.	2108
	Prevention of duplicate component receipts, carrier information in online component ship notices, and new search filters in Extended Collaboration tabs [CSC-24088] This feature adds functionality to exclude from a flipped component receipt any components that were already received, thus preventing duplicate receipts for a component. This feature also adds more search capabilities for stock transport orders, and adds carrier information to the details page of a component ship notice.	2108
	Multiple views for planning processes [CSC-24240] This feature allows buyers to create views, referred to as custom views, for planning processes and set conditions for them. Prior to this feature, only one view, the standard view, was available for all planning items in a planning process.	2108
	Sold-to BusinessPartner information in purchase orders and invoices [CSC-24925] When a cXML purchase order includes a BusinessPartner element with the soldTo role, this feature shows the information from that element in the purchase-order details page of the Ariba Network user interface.	2108
	Always route the copy of the approval request document to the copy supplier [CSC-25033] This feature adds further enhancements to the order confirmation deviation approval in the multi-tier order scenario. The copy of the approval request document is always routed to the copy supplier.	2108
	Supplier Portal and Workbench [SA-9251] - Feature for Suppliers The Ariba Network supplier home page has been redesigned to be a Supplier Portal, with simplified navigation, an overview of your transactions, and insights and promotional widgets. The Supplier Portal also includes the Workbench, which is a highly customizable page that allows you to get a quick overview of transaction documents that need your attention. The Inbox and Outbox have been replaced with object-oriented menus, which logically group objects by their business process.	2105				(Supplement: Items To Confirm functionality)
	SAP Business Network Supplier Mobile App 6.4.0 [SA-17796] - Feature for Suppliers We’ve added the ability to create new accounts and manage your trading relationships: * Sign up for a new Ariba Network account directly from the mobile app * View, accept, and dismiss relationship requests from potential trading partners	2105
	Quality inspection and quality notification safeguards for required completion [CSC-10368] This feature allows buyers to prevent suppliers from shipping a purchase-order schedule line that has a quality inspection without a decision that authorizes shipment. This feature also allows buyers to prevent suppliers from shipping a purchase-order line item that has a quality notification with incomplete tasks.	2105
	Enhancements to the order confirmation deviation approval process [CSC-19743] This feature introduces usability enhancements to the order confirmation deviation approval process. This includes a buyer report of approved/rejected deviations, and supplier ability to create a ship notice without order confirmation (when order confirmation is not required).	2105
	Attributes for planning items [CSC-20436] This feature allows buyer administrators to define new attributes for planning items. Attributes provide information about planning records such as the supplier or buyer, the customer part number, and so on.	2105
	Excel support and other improvements to attributes [CSC-21958] This feature adds support for attribute data in Excel download files for the Upload/Download functionality. It also improves how users view attributes.	2105
	Configuration of order confirmation deviation types [CSC-10324] With this feature, buyers can configure types of deviations for quantity, delivery date, or price. This allows certain suppliers to exceed tolerances if the buyer approves the order confirmation. This configuration can be made for supplier groups or as a default transaction rule that applies to all suppliers.	2102
	Customer-defined logical IDs to identify the permitted consumption of component inventory [CSC-15640] This feature enhances validation capabilities to ensure that only subcontracting components that are assigned to a supplier or vendor by a particular buyer are allowed to be reported for consumption.	2102
	Report component consumption based on component inventory [CSC-16745] The component inventory-based consumption report feature validates that the buyer batch number of the consumed component matches the buyer batch number that is defined in component inventory.	2102
	Expanded capabilities in planning download and  Planning data  update configuration [CSC-20429] This feature expands the amount of planning information that buyers and suppliers can retrieve using Upload/Download functionality. It also provides buyers with more ways to handle planning information.	2102
	Stock transport order collaboration [CSC-20915] This feature adds support for the stock-transport type of purchase order, which is used when stock is moved between two plants within an organization or in different organizations.	2102

 

SAP Ariba assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions and nothing in this web page should be construed to represent any commitment by SAP Ariba to include any specific new features in any version of the SAP Ariba solutions. Please contact your Customer Engagement Executive for additional details.