Ariba System typically appears as the user associated with a direct order, indicating that the order was automatically generated.

Although order IDs are typically created in numerical sequence (for example, DO1, DO2, DO3), one or more numbers can be skipped (for example, DO15, DO17, DO32) due to intervening internal events. Your system administrator can run a scheduled task to list all order IDs, if necessary. Note that the IDs for orders processed using an external Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system are assigned and maintained by the ERP system.

The records and history of direct orders are maintained in Ariba Buyer, and do not involve an ERP system.

A direct order can be changed or canceled, depending on its status, and system configuration. Refer to your company's business procedures for additional information about changing or canceling orders.

You can search for and display direct orders, add comments to them, or print them.

Direct orders are purchase orders that are automatically generated in Ariba Buyer when a requisition is fully approved. Direct orders are then sent directly to relevant suppliers by fax or email.

A direct order involves these basic steps (see the process flow diagram for a detailed description of the process):

1. A user, known as the requester, creates a purchase requisition (PR) and submits it for approval. Ariba Buyer notifies designated approvers that a PR is waiting for their approval.
2. Approvers approve or deny the PR:
• If the PR is approved and it contains items from the online catalog of a supplier with whom the company has a direct order agreement, Ariba Buyer assigns the PR a direct order number and then sends the order directly to the supplier.
• If the PR is denied, the user can either edit and resubmit the PR for approval, or withdraw, edit, and then resubmit it.
3. When the user receives the items from the supplier, the user enters receipt details, based on company guidelines.