Using Supplier Enablement

Buyers enable their suppliers on SAP Business Network in order to exchange business documents with them. Through SAP Business Network, a buyer's organization or an assigned third-party service provider can enable supplier efficiently in a self-serviced manner.

A basic enablement process is as follows:

1. Suppliers relevant to a particular buyer are identified.
2. Supplier registers an account on the Network (note this may be prompted by the buyer)
3. A trading relationship is established (may be requested by the buyer or supplier)
4. Transactions begin between the buyer and supplier

SAP Business Network supports multiple supplier enablement methods that allow buyers to initiate trading relationships with suppliers and create new SAP Business Network accounts on their behalf.

From a supplier enablement perspective, there are three types of suppliers:

1. Registered Suppliers: Suppliers that already have an account on SAP Business Network.
2. Unregistered Suppliers: Suppliers that buyers invite to register on SAP Business Network through a trading relationship request letter.
3. Private Suppliers: Suppliers to which buyers send a purchase order or other document, which creates a temporary account. Or, a supplier that sends an invoice to a buyer by using their customer code.

The table to the right provides an overview of the methods available for enabling trading relationships with registered suppliers, unregistered suppliers, and private suppliers.