Case Study: CVS Caremark achieves faster supplier receipt and enterprise‑wide procurement savings with SAP Ariba

Automated Sourcing and Procurement Drive Savings throughout the Entire Commerce Cycle

CVS Caremark, the largest prescription drug provider in the U.S., faced rising costs and inefficiencies in building new stores and procuring non‑resale goods and services. Purchasing processes were slow and fragmented—supplier receipts took seven to ten days—and the company needed better ways to negotiate agreements and create and manage contracts.

CVS deployed Ariba procurement, sourcing and contract‑management solutions to automate purchasing, enable kitting (bundling catalog items), implement paperless invoicing, and foster cross‑functional collaboration. As a result, suppliers now receive orders within hours and users within four days, billing accuracy has improved, reconciliation cycle time and processing costs have fallen, and enterprise‑wide compliance ensures negotiated savings reach the bottom line.

CVS Caremark

Anna Umberto

Vice President, Strategic Procurement