Ariba’s PR firm contacted me, indicating they wanted to schedule an interview with me and a senior executive from the company. The interview would discuss Ariba’s latest contract win in the Healthcare sector. For those who may not be aware, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey will be, and I quote, “leveraging Ariba’s on-demand Procure-to-Pay offering to drive savings, efficiencies, and competitive advantage.”
Back to today’s post, the user-centric agent-based intake capability I envisioned with the original Ariba plan in 2007 would be a Metaprise, now called orchestration, serving as the primary operating system. Unfortunately, like many solution providers, Ariba led with technology using an equation-based model. Even more interesting is that SAP, which acquired Ariba, was making the same mistake. However, one of SAP’s earlier approaches was to team up with Microsoft on the Mendocino project, which became DUET. For those who may not be aware of the Mendocino project, there was some serious talk of Microsoft buying SAP. That is a story for another day.
Between 1999, when I developed the industry’s first agent-based self-learning algorithm platform within a nascent AI framework to support the Department of National Defence’s IT infrastructure, and 2024, the technology-driven equation-based development and implementation model continued to dominate the industry. Does anyone remember Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA)?
However, in 2024, I began to see the reemergence of the Metaprise and the gradual shift to using the agent-based solution development and implementationmodel.The 1999 graphic below highlights the 2024 beginning of the form this new shift is taking:
The 1999 image on the left is my original design. Funding from the Government of Canada’s Scientific Research and Experimental Development program (SR&ED) resulted in a fully operational solution that delivered exceptional results: Are you chasing solutions or solving problems? (Part 1 of 3)
The 2024 image on the right reflects the ConvergentIS platform. While it is still evolving towards achieving the 1999 model results, it is more advanced than the SAP Ariba solution. As a side note, the only reason why SAP Ariba has not reached this point is because they have always been heavily invested in making the technology-led equation-based development and implementation model work. The generational 80% failure rate of procurement transformation initiatives speaks to why smaller, more innovative providers like CovergentIS are positioned to potentially emerge as the vital hubs or operating systems for procurement technology.
Considering the above, the following high-level comparison between ConvergentIS and SAP Ariba demonstrates how the agent-based model will be the dominant force that drives procurement and supply chain automation in 2025 and beyond.
(COMPARISON SOURCE: ChatGPT)
ConvergentIS and SAP Ariba are both providers of procurement and supply chain management solutions, but they cater to slightly different needs and markets. Here’s a comparison of the two based on functionality, use cases, and customer base:
1. Overview
ConvergentIS A smaller, innovative provider specializing in SAP-integrated solutions. ConvergentIS focuses on streamlining procurement processes, usability, and user adoption by building solutions on top of SAP ERP systems.
Key Products: Guided buying, procurement portals, vendor onboarding, and SAP add-ons.
Target Audience: Organizations using SAP looking for customized, user-friendly solutions.
SAP Ariba A global leader in procurement software, offering a comprehensive platform for spend management, supplier management, and procurement automation.
Target Audience: Large enterprises requiring a robust, standalone procurement platform or integration with SAP ERP.
2. Feature Comparison
Feature
ConvergentIS
SAP Ariba
Integration
Seamlessly integrates with SAP ERP systems, designed to enhance SAP functionality.
Natively integrates with SAP but also works as a standalone platform.
Ease of Use
Emphasis on intuitive user interfaces and guided workflows.
More complex and feature-rich; may require more training for users.
Deployment Time
Faster deployment due to streamlined, focused solutions.
Longer deployment times due to complexity and customization needs.
Customization
Highly customizable to specific SAP landscapes and business needs.
Offers customization but can be complex and costly.
Supplier Network
Focuses on enhancing supplier collaboration via SAP-integrated tools.
Extensive global supplier network via the Ariba Network (millions of suppliers).
Cost
Generally lower cost, especially for SAP customers seeking enhancements.
Higher cost, often suited for enterprises with large procurement budgets.
3. Use Cases
ConvergentIS:
Mid-sized businesses or SAP customers looking for user-friendly procurement add-ons.
Companies needing faster implementations without overhauling their existing SAP systems.
Organizations prioritizing simplicity and guided workflows to improve adoption.
SAP Ariba:
Large enterprises with complex global supply chains.
Companies requiring a comprehensive spend management solution.
Organizations looking to leverage the extensive Ariba supplier network for sourcing and collaboration.
4. Strengths
ConvergentIS:
Streamlined and cost-effective SAP enhancements.
Faster deployment and lower learning curve.
Excellent for improving usability and user adoption within SAP landscapes.
SAP Ariba:
Industry-leading supplier network and sourcing tools.
Comprehensive procurement capabilities covering the entire source-to-pay process.
Global scalability and advanced analytics.
5. Challenges
ConvergentIS:
Limited scope outside of SAP environments.
Smaller supplier network compared to SAP Ariba.
Best suited for companies already using SAP ERP.
SAP Ariba:
Higher implementation costs and longer deployment times.
Steeper learning curve for new users.
May be overkill for smaller or less complex organizations.
6. When to Choose Each
Choose ConvergentIS if:
You’re an SAP user looking to enhance procurement processes with a cost-effective solution.
Ease of use, quick deployment, and guided workflows are key priorities.
Your procurement needs are relatively straightforward.
Choose SAP Ariba if:
You need a comprehensive procurement platform with advanced features and scalability.
You’re managing a large supply chain and require access to a global supplier network.
You’re an enterprise with complex procurement workflows and a higher budget.
Conclusion
ConvergentIS is a strong choice for SAP users seeking to optimize their existing systems, whereas SAP Ariba is better suited for large enterprises needing a comprehensive and scalable procurement platform. The decision depends on company size, budget, and specific procurement needs.
Procurement Insights
ConvergentIS And SAP Ariba: The Start Of The Metaprise (Intake/Orchestration) Shift
Posted on January 9, 2025
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EDITOR’S NOTE: In 2007, I wrote what is still one of the most popular posts on this blog: “The Ariba Interviews: Re-engineering the Future of On-Demand.”
Ariba’s PR firm contacted me, indicating they wanted to schedule an interview with me and a senior executive from the company. The interview would discuss Ariba’s latest contract win in the Healthcare sector. For those who may not be aware, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey will be, and I quote, “leveraging Ariba’s on-demand Procure-to-Pay offering to drive savings, efficiencies, and competitive advantage.”
If you want to read everything I have written about Ariba over the past 18 years, you can access the Procurement Insights archive through the following link: https://procureinsights.com/?s=ariba. You may want to note posts such as Busch and Hansen’s Shared Views on Ariba Dummies Book is Bad News for the Much Maligned Vendor.
Back to today’s post, the user-centric agent-based intake capability I envisioned with the original Ariba plan in 2007 would be a Metaprise, now called orchestration, serving as the primary operating system. Unfortunately, like many solution providers, Ariba led with technology using an equation-based model. Even more interesting is that SAP, which acquired Ariba, was making the same mistake. However, one of SAP’s earlier approaches was to team up with Microsoft on the Mendocino project, which became DUET. For those who may not be aware of the Mendocino project, there was some serious talk of Microsoft buying SAP. That is a story for another day.
Between 1999, when I developed the industry’s first agent-based self-learning algorithm platform within a nascent AI framework to support the Department of National Defence’s IT infrastructure, and 2024, the technology-driven equation-based development and implementation model continued to dominate the industry. Does anyone remember Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA)?
However, in 2024, I began to see the reemergence of the Metaprise and the gradual shift to using the agent-based solution development and implementation model. The 1999 graphic below highlights the 2024 beginning of the form this new shift is taking:
The 1999 image on the left is my original design. Funding from the Government of Canada’s Scientific Research and Experimental Development program (SR&ED) resulted in a fully operational solution that delivered exceptional results: Are you chasing solutions or solving problems? (Part 1 of 3)
The 2024 image on the right reflects the ConvergentIS platform. While it is still evolving towards achieving the 1999 model results, it is more advanced than the SAP Ariba solution. As a side note, the only reason why SAP Ariba has not reached this point is because they have always been heavily invested in making the technology-led equation-based development and implementation model work. The generational 80% failure rate of procurement transformation initiatives speaks to why smaller, more innovative providers like CovergentIS are positioned to potentially emerge as the vital hubs or operating systems for procurement technology.
Considering the above, the following high-level comparison between ConvergentIS and SAP Ariba demonstrates how the agent-based model will be the dominant force that drives procurement and supply chain automation in 2025 and beyond.
(COMPARISON SOURCE: ChatGPT)
ConvergentIS and SAP Ariba are both providers of procurement and supply chain management solutions, but they cater to slightly different needs and markets. Here’s a comparison of the two based on functionality, use cases, and customer base:
1. Overview
A smaller, innovative provider specializing in SAP-integrated solutions. ConvergentIS focuses on streamlining procurement processes, usability, and user adoption by building solutions on top of SAP ERP systems.
A global leader in procurement software, offering a comprehensive platform for spend management, supplier management, and procurement automation.
2. Feature Comparison
3. Use Cases
4. Strengths
5. Challenges
6. When to Choose Each
Conclusion
ConvergentIS is a strong choice for SAP users seeking to optimize their existing systems, whereas SAP Ariba is better suited for large enterprises needing a comprehensive and scalable procurement platform. The decision depends on company size, budget, and specific procurement needs.
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