How SAP Business Network Enhances Supply Chain Efficiency

In 2023, more than one-fifth (21.8%) of the total distances travelled by road freight vehicles in the EU were performed by empty vehicles. This is just one snapshot of the wider global logistics picture, highlighting the large inefficiencies still left to be tackled in procurement and supply chain.

An IDC White Paper, sponsored by SAP, dives into the real-world impact of SAP Business Network, drawing insights from in-depth interviews with eight global enterprise customers. These companies, spanning everything from retail, mining, utilities, pharmaceuticals and automotive industries, shared how the platform has transformed their operations. 

With workforces ranging from 3,000 to 430,000 employees and revenues between US$2.1bn and US$180bn, their experiences offer a broad perspective on the solution’s value.

The results show a significant boost in efficiency, reduced costs and improved collaboration. Organisations reported an average three-year return on investment (ROI) of 404%, a 14-month payback period and faster go-to-market speeds—all thanks to SAP’s enhanced supply chain visibility, automation and streamlined processes.

SAP Business Network is designed to cut through complexity, offering greater supply chain visibility and intelligent insights, allowing organisations to react quickly to market shifts, fine-tune inventory management and optimise procurement.

One automotive procurement director reports: “We adopted SAP Business Network to address several issues; limited visibility, inefficiencies in manual processes and difficulties in scaling and onboarding new partners. Additionally, we’ve seen improvements in our analytics capabilities and overall scalability.”

Perhaps the biggest advantage reported by IDC’s study participants is the speed at which SAP Business Network enables process efficiency. By automating invoicing and payment processes, businesses have slashed approval times by 60% while reducing staff time for partner onboarding by 51%. This level of automation accelerates internal operations and strengthens supplier relationships.

Additionally, with 46% increased usage of electronic purchase orders (POs) and 25% more invoices processed without exception, organisations have significantly reduced paperwork and manual intervention. This translates into better cash flow management and faster, more accurate procurement cycles.

Faster, smarter supply chains 

SAP Business Network matches the speed at which modern supply chains operate, with the IDC study reporting those using the platform experience:

• 30% faster go-to-market speeds
• 27% quicker product and order deliveries
• 70% faster onboarding for new partners
• 30% faster document delivery

For businesses navigating complex global supply chains, these improvements are game-changing. 

A senior procurement manager in the retail industry shares how SAP Business Network has elevated visibility and document management: “Previously, we used EDI, which worked well but had limitations. SAP Business Network has increased our visibility and document handling capabilities. 

“It offers more communication channels, including a messaging feature, allowing us to track documents through various stages like approval, ordering and invoicing. This enhanced visibility and communication have significantly improved our processes.”

By breaking down silos between buyers and suppliers, SAP Business Network fosters stronger collaboration and transparency, enabling transaction exchange, information sharing and procurement compliance —all while keeping operations running more efficiently.

Maximising ROI and operational efficiency

Beyond speed and automation, SAP Business Network is delivering tangible financial and operational benefits. 

Companies have reported major cost savings in IT maintenance, warehouse logistics and inventory management. The platform’s ability to streamline supplier collaboration and reduce inventory holdings means businesses can operate leaner and more profitably.

SAP Business Network is more than a technological investment; it acts as a strategic enabler of growth, efficiency and agility. Organisations leveraging the platform are seeing transformational results, from stronger supplier relationships to optimised procurement and faster time-to-market.

For those looking to explore these benefits further, take the ROI assessment now and explore how SAP Business Network can transform your buying processes.

*Source: IDC White Paper, sponsored by SAP, The Business Value of SAP Business Network — for Buyer Organizations, doc #US52679524, March 2025

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