SAP Ariba at Deutsche Bahn

What is the SAP Business Network?

The SAP Business Network (formerly "Ariba Network") plays a crucial role in the world of digital commerce. It enables information to be exchanged digitally and business relationships between customers and suppliers to be mapped and processed. Designed as a cloud application, the platform can be used without installing anything locally – all you need is an Internet browser.

Deutsche Bahn uses the SAP Business Network to process orders for indirect supplies, low-value assets, and direct materials.

Summary of SAP Business Network Features and how to use it

The SAP Business Network offers suppliers the following benefits

Collaborating with us via the SAP Business Network offers numerous advantages for all parties involved. Here are some examples of how you, too, can benefit from it. There may be additional synergies on an individual level, which we would be happy to discuss with you directly.

This is how easy it is to use the SAP Business Network

There are essentially two options or account types that a supplier can use to connect to and use the SAP Business Network. In both cases, the information is exchanged identically via the SAP Business Network. Please also note the additional information on the account types.

Account types for connecting to the SAP Business Network

Publishing catalogs describing your products and services
Order processing directly via the SAP Business Network
Online help center
Free of charge

Publishing catalogs describing your products and services
Ability to process orders directly via the SAP Business Network
Integration via EDIFACT or cXML available
Supply Chain Collaboration available
Help center, phone, chat, and online form
Billed based on what you use

What do I need to do to connect?

To successfully connect, you must already have a master agreement in place with DB AG. Throughout the onboarding process to the SAP Business Network, we provide customized support to our suplliers and collaborate with them to develop a suitable solution.

DB’s main buying channels via the SAP Business Network

Most goods can be offered effectively in the form of a user-friendly catalog. This method of presenting and procuring products and services is a common feature of online shopping.

Technical details:

Excel and BMEcat formats are used for static catalogs
cXML punch-out catalogs are supported
Classification: eClass 8.1
Guidelines for creating catalogs are provided by DB (see Downloads)

Even items which are not listed in a catalog can be procured effectively and securely via the SAP Business Network.

An overview of the quote request process:

Employees enter their request in standardized forms and send them to suppliers
Suppliers receive the request via the SAP Business Network and submit their quote
Employees select the appropriate quote
A purchase order is created based on the quote and sent to the supplier via the SAP Business Network

Supply Chain Collaboration standardizes the procurement of direct materials that are not ordered through catalogs. This process promotes the exchange of data rather than documents, which thereby enhancing digital collaboration.

Technical details:

Standardized data exchange through business rules, providing greater transparency and consistency
End-to-end process management for direct material procurement
Extension and integration of backend systems, reducing manual effort for purchase order updates
Network intelligence, data, and insights to help reduce supply chain risk

Further information and help

Here you can find guidelines for supplier integration and catalog creation.

To learn more about the SAP Business Network and digital purchasing workflows click on the links below:

If you are already registered with on the SAP Business Network, you can access additional information through your personal profile settings by clicking on the question mark.

If you experience any catalog issues after your go-live, please contact SAP directly with your questions via the Help section in your SAP Business Network account.

Simplify your purchasing workflows