Sunway Group Expands Ariba Implementation for Corporate-Wide Adoption

Sunway Group Expands Ariba Implementation for Corporate-Wide Adoption of Spend Management

    Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

    SUNNYVALE, Calif. & PETALING JAYA, Malaysia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 16, 2005--

Local Conglomerate Realizes Significant Savings, Consolidates Supplier Base, and Registers More Than 430 Suppliers for Paperless Transactions
    Ariba, Inc. (Nasdaq:ARBA), the leading spend management solutions provider, announced that The Sunway Group, one of Malaysia's foremost conglomerates, has reaped substantial cost savings after implementing the Ariba(R) Buyer(TM) eProcurement system across its entire enterprise. This expanded implementation has allowed the group to streamline its enterprise-wide procurement, implement spend control and spending compliance, and gain substantial bottom-line savings.
    "Ariba Buyer has enabled us to develop a competitive edge through our procurement processes," said Alex Kong, head of procurement, Sunway Holdings Group. "We have started streamlining and standardizing the procurement of key commodities to further enhance the buying synergy throughout the organization. Since this implementation, we have achieved total group savings of RM 13 million, reduced our supplier base to 2,000 suppliers from the initial 6,000 in 2001, and registered 431 e-enabled suppliers for paperless transactions and more accurate processing of transactions. The solution also has enabled us to increase our corporate spend transparency and accountability and the efficiency of our procurement process."
    The Sunway Group started its partnership with Ariba in 2001, when it purchased Ariba Buyer, initially focusing on its purchasing and administration departments for online purchasing of desktop computers, stationeries and general printing. Late last year, the solution was enhanced to version 8.1. The company has been able to decentralize buying so users can purchase many items online, reducing both administrative and transaction time.
    "Sunway's aggressive implementation of cost savings initiatives, which have included an Ariba Spend Management system, has contributed to the group's exceptional performance, strengthening its position as one of the top conglomerates in Malaysia," said Daryl Rolley, senior vice president and general manager, International Operations, Ariba. "The Sunway Group joins a growing list of organizations in Asia turning to Ariba for comprehensive spend management solutions."

    About The Sunway Group

    Established in 1974 as a tin mining company, The Sunway Group stands as one of Malaysia's foremost, well-diversified conglomerates in a leading position in several industries. For more information, visit www.sunway.com.my.

    About Ariba, Inc.

    Ariba, Inc. is the leading provider of Spend Management solutions to help companies realize rapid and sustainable bottom line results. Successful companies around the world in every industry use Ariba Spend Management software and services. Ariba can be contacted in the U.S. at 1.650.390.1000 or at www.ariba.com.

    Copyright (C) 1996 - 2005 Ariba, Inc.

    Ariba and the Ariba logo are registered trademarks of Ariba, Inc. Ariba Spend Management, Ariba Spend Management. Find it. Get it. Keep it., Ariba. This is Spend Management, Ariba Solutions Delivery, Ariba Analysis, Ariba Buyer, Ariba Category Management, Ariba Category Procurement, Ariba Contract Compliance, Ariba Contracts, Ariba Contract Management, Ariba Contract Workbench, Ariba Data Enrichment, Ariba eForms, Ariba Sourcing, Ariba Invoice, Ariba Travel & Expense, Ariba Workforce, Ariba Supplier Network, Ariba Supplier Performance Management, Ariba PunchOut, Ariba QuickSource, PO-Flip, Ariba Settlement and Ariba Spend Management Knowledge Base are trademarks or service marks of Ariba, Inc. Ariba Proprietary and Confidential. All rights reserved. Patents pending. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

    Ariba Safe Harbor

    Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995: Information and announcements in this release involve Ariba's expectations, beliefs, hopes, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future and are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements included in this release are based upon information available to Ariba as of the date of the release, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results could differ materially from our current expectations. Factors that could cause or contribute to Ariba's operating and financial results to differ materially from its current expectations include, but are not limited to: delays in development or shipment of new versions of Ariba's products and services; lack of market acceptance of Ariba's existing or future products or services; inability to continue to develop competitive new products and services on a timely basis; introduction of new products or services by major competitors; the ability to attract and retain qualified employees; difficulties in assimilating acquired companies; long and unpredictable sales cycles and the deferrals of anticipated orders; declining economic conditions; inability to control costs; changes in the company's pricing or compensation policies; significant fluctuations in our stock price; the outcome of and costs associated with pending or potential future regulatory or legal proceedings; the impact of our acquisitions, including the disruption or loss of customer, business partner, supplier or employee relationships; and the level of costs and expenses incurred by Ariba as a result of such transactions. For example, Ariba recently settled patent infringement filed against it by ePlus, Inc. for $37.0 million and incurred significant related legal expenses. Factors and risks associated with its business, including a number of the factors and risks described above, are discussed in Ariba's Form 10-K filed December 14, 2004.

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CONTACT: Ariba, Inc., Singapore Tan Hui Lynn, 65- 6311 4684 (Marketing Manager) htan@ariba.com or Ariba, Inc., USA Donna Maurillo, 650-390-1773 (Senior Manager, PR) dmaurillo@ariba.com or Rantau PR Janitha Sukumaran, 03- 2162 7269 sjanitha@rantaupr.com.my

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA MALAYSIA INTERNATIONAL ASIA PACIFIC INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING MINING/METALS SOFTWARE INTERNET E-COMMERCE PRODUCT SOURCE: Ariba, Inc.

Copyright Business Wire 2005