Collaborating with SAP Integrated Product Development for Supplier Collaboration

Explaining how Suppliers from SAP Ariba get Added as Participants in the Collaboration Space

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to describe the capabilities of SAP Integrated Product Development for secure supplier collaboration.

Work with Participants in a Collaboration

The following will help you understand how information flows between OEM (Dan) and other participants (for example Supplier) via IPD collaboration for logistics information on a component "Valve cover."

Prerequisites

a. Collaboration space created (Refer to Document collaboration for steps).

b. Needed workflow template loaded (Refer to Document collaboration for steps).

c. Files to be shared are already loaded (Refer to Document collaboration for steps).

d. Bill of material from SAP S/4HANA loaded (Refer to Development collaboration for steps).

e. Redline on "Component" created (Refer to Development collaboration for steps).

f. Workflow Added (Refer to Document collaboration for steps).

Steps

  1. Part of collaboration space setup:

    OEM has made a redline comment on the component "Valve Cover" on BOM and similar markup on the associated Visual file.

    One added redline on the BOM shared with Supplier.
    Sample redline comment is highlighted.

  2. OEM has also made markup comment on the associated Visual file of the structure.

    OEM Markup on visual file to help focus on needed Value Cover.
    OEM comments of the markup.

  3. Participants in the collaboration space.

    Once the OEM has loaded all the information needed, required participants are added. These users will ultimately participate in the collaboration process via workflow.

    This involves loading of:

    a. Suppliers who are pre-defined in the SAP Ariba system.

    b. Users who are not coming from the SAP Ariba system but otherwise defined in the SAP IPD system.

    Note

    SAP Ariba system integration is not covered in this lesson. The information is for reference only to understand that EPD allows out-of-the-box setup with SAP Ariba.
    1 - Add: Allows adding users NOT defined in Ariba. 2- Add Suppliers: Allows suppliers to participate from Ariba systems.

    Suppliers who are pre-defined in the SAP Ariba system will be shown based on search criteria and can be directly added to the collaboration space.

    Suppliers from ARIBA system can be searched based on defined options like Category group, Product & Location. Once selected they can be added to collaboration space.
    From the dropdown, select Reader.

  4. Workflow process between OEM and Supplier to drive collaboration.

    SAP IPD workflows allow easy business process mapping into collaboration, thus allowing closed-loop digital threads between different participants. Below is an example process where the OEM engineer and Supplier are working together to capture the logistic information of "Valve Cover" in an existing Evo valve guard assembly.

    Note

    SAP S/4HANA process is not covered and is here for reference only.
    A flowchart showing collaboration between OEM Engineer, External Partner, and Supplier for workflow and selection process, with numbered steps and roles illustrated.

  5. The supplier got a notification that collaboration is initiated by OEM engineer, and a task is assigned.

    Sample notification in the supplier's inbox.

    Note

    The notification can be sent to participant by e-mail as well, for example, Outlook.

  6. Via dedicated workflow tasks which have links to shared documentation plus redline and markups, Supplier can easily zoom into the "Valve cover" component and provide needed logistics information quickly.

    Sample supplier inbox is shown.

  7. After going through shared information Supplier can confirm that task and send the information on "Valve Cover" by either adding another redline/markup or on the workflow task.

    In the inbox, value cover details are highlighted.

  8. OEM receives the workflow back, and reviews/approves.

Result

Via dedicated collaboration spaces OEM captures the responses from different suppliers/external users, thus enabling the selection of the most desirable Supplier without losing the digital thread.

Reference Links

Example

Kindly refer to Business Configuration for more information on the business configuration for each capability. https://help.sap.com/docs/PLM_EPD/1bfdb8b2f0264b66a818a2a889ee8c31/27b8d3c9e83e4ae5b956deb70ce1f336.html

Summary

Let's Summarize What You've Learned:

  • SAP Integrated Product Development (IPD) enables secure collaboration by providing dedicated spaces for sharing product development information with external partners.
  • Collaboration setup involves creating spaces, loading workflows, sharing files, and applying initial redlines or markups to components.
  • Participants, including pre-defined suppliers from SAP Ariba or other IPD users, are securely added with administrator-controlled authorizations.
  • Workflows in SAP IPD drive structured collaboration, assigning tasks, facilitating information exchange, and ensuring a closed-loop digital thread between OEM and suppliers.
  • The system allows OEMs to track supplier responses, make informed decisions, and maintain a complete digital record of all interactions throughout the product development lifecycle.
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