Exploring SAP Ariba Contract Management

SAP Ariba Contracts allows you to manage the entire contract Lifecycle in a centralized location.

• Contract Request: Initiates the contract process by creating and sending a request to a Contract Manager to create a Contract Workspace.
• Prepare a Workspace and Author a Main Agreement: In this step a Contract Manager creates a Contract Workspace in SAP Ariba and begins drafting/authoring the Main Agreement and other contract documents in preparation for Review and Negotiation.
• Review and Negotiate: In this step, Contract Documents go through an internal review process and then are sent out to a supplier for further redlines and negotiation.
• Approve and Finalize: In this step, Contract Documents go through final approvals and signatures are obtained. The workspace is then published and the contract executed.
• Amend and Manage: Finally, a Contract may be Amended and then further managed through Dashboard tools, Access Controls and Reporting.

• Methods
  • Application authentication
  • Corporate authentication
  • Corporate authentication with Single Sign-On
• For Application Authentication:
  • Username/password
  • Secret question
  • Reset password
  • Recover username
• Help
• Privacy statement

Your company security and authentication rules govern which of the following three possible login authentication methods apply:

• Application authentication: Users have SAP Ariba product usernames and passwords that they enter on the login page. The usernames and passwords are maintained by the administrator within the SAP Ariba product.
• Corporate authentication: A remote authentication mechanism where users log in to the SAP Ariba product using a username and password that matches the corporate username and password.
• Corporate authentication with Single Sign-On: A remote authentication mechanism where users log into their corporate network, which automatically logs them in to their SAP Ariba product when needed. Single Sign-On with Corporate Authentication provides benefits to your organization, but requires your network administrators to enable communication between your user authentication system and the Ariba Procurement Solution.

The dashboard is made up of a few specific areas. At the top of the screen, you can access different dashboard tabs. These tabs allow you to access module-specific dashboard content as well as custom dashboards. To the right of those tabs are the Recent, Manage, and Create menus.

Below the tabs is a search box which allows you to search for different types of content including projects, documents, suppliers or customers and other content.

In the main area of the dashboard, you’ll see a variety of content items. These are customizable, so the options you see may vary across users.

Tiles sit at the top of your dashboard and display pertinent information. This may include items which require action, small reports, an overview of your events, expiring contracts, and more.

The tiles are configurable. Click the dropdown arrow on any tile and select Manage All Tiles to add or remove tiles from your dashboard. Dashboards can display a maximum of five tiles at a time.

You can configure your dashboard by clicking the wrench icon near the top-right of the screen. This will open a dropdown menu with options to:

• Add Content: This will open a new popup dialogue with content items which can be added to your dashboard.
• Edit Properties: This will allow you to change settings for your currently active dashboard tab.
• Delete Tab: This will delete the currently active dashboard tab.
• Add New Tab: Add a new dashboard tab.
• Compare Your Tabs to Default Settings: Display the differences between your dashboard and the administrator-created default dashboard.
• Revert Tab Set to Default Settings: Replace your dashboard with the administrator-created default dashboard.

In the User Preferences menu, you will be presented with options including Logout, Change Password and Secret Question, Delegate Authority, Change your profile, Change email notification preferences, and more.

Delegating Authority gives a selected user your permissions for a specific period of time, such as when you are out of the office or on vacation.

• The person you delegate can work on your tasks, such as review and approval tasks.
• The system will time and date stamp any actions taken on your behalf.
• You are still able to log-in during the delegation period.