What functionality in SAP Ariba would you present to a customer to identify sources of supply for specific goods and services?

The Ariba Discovery functionality is specifically designed to connect buyers with suppliers, allowing users to identify potential sources of supply for specific goods and services. This feature acts as a marketplace where suppliers can showcase their offerings, and buyers can post their sourcing needs. By leveraging Ariba Discovery, organizations can easily find and engage with a wider network of suppliers that can meet their requirements, which streamlines the sourcing process and enhances procurement efficiency.

This focus on connecting buyers and suppliers is what differentiates Ariba Discovery from other features. For instance, while the Ariba sourcing functionality is primarily aimed at managing formal sourcing events and optimizing bidding processes, it does not inherently facilitate the initial discovery of suppliers. The procurement dashboard provides insights and analytics but does not connect buyers to suppliers directly. Lastly, supplier performance management focuses on evaluating and maintaining supplier relationships rather than sourcing new suppliers. Therefore, Ariba Discovery is uniquely suited to facilitate the identification of sources for specific goods and services.