When a major customer decided to start processing all of its invoices electronically using purchasing cards, Arizona Uniform & Apparel was staring at approximately $15,000 a year in additional fees, plus the costs of integrating electronic data interchange (EDI) software with its internal financial system. And it would still have to track payments manually. The provider of industrial uniforms and corporate apparel was convinced there had to be a better way. And it found one in Ariba, an SAP Company.
Like many companies, Arizona Uniform & Apparel tapped into the Ariba Network, and began connecting to its customer, and collaborating around invoicing and payments at no cost. Then the company upped the ante and joined the Supplier Membership Program to take advantage of integration services that enabled it to connect its accounting system—Intuit QuickBooks—to the network. And everything changed.
“Ariba was the most cost-effective way to connect with our customer, saving us at least 3 percent on gross billings, which is far more than we could have expected from any of the other solutions we were considering,” said Ann Cantu, president, Arizona Uniform & Apparel.
Using the Ariba Integration Connector, powered by Dell Boomi, Arizona Uniform & Apparel was able to completely integrate its QuickBooks system with the Ariba Network and create a fully automated invoice process through which it can:
- Receive instant confirmation of invoice receipt.
- Track invoice status in real time.
- Speed customer approvals.
- Eliminate manual follow-up processes.
- Get paid faster.
The company was able to get the solution in place in less than two weeks with almost no internal information technology (IT) resources.
“Integration can be a complex and costly process, but it doesn’t have to be,” said Joe Fox, vice president of marketing and strategy, Ariba. “Ariba’s connection solutions eliminate many of the barriers to integration, such as the need for additional hardware, installed software or lengthy managed service engagements, making it easy for companies like Arizona Uniform & Apparel to connect to the Ariba Network where they can fully automate their customer transactions and collaborations directly from their preferred enterprise resource planning (ERP) and accounting systems.”
An out-of-the-box solution delivered as a service, the Ariba Integration Connector, powered by Dell Boomi, provides a fast and easy way for companies to connect to the Ariba Network, regardless of the backend systems they use. The connector currently supports integration with Intuit QuickBooks Premier and Enterprise for the United States, United Kingdom and Canada 2009-2013; Sage Peachtree/Sage 50 Complete, Premium, Quantum and Accountant 2009-2013; and Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains 2007-2012 Editions.
Arizona Uniform supplies quality uniforms and corporate apparel to business, healthcare, government, schools and the hospitality industry. The company helps companies develop customized programs to meet any style and budget, with an in-house embroidery facility that guarantees quick turnaround of customized garments. Screen printing, emblems and alterations are part of the customization program.