Supplier FAQ

A New End-to-End Buying Experience: Cisco Smart Buy

Introducing an end-to-end, cloud-based buying platform, Cisco Smart Buy, being phased in regionally across the globe. Spanning the full goods and services source-to-pay lifecycle, selected indirect or non-manufacturing suppliers (and direct or manufacturing suppliers providing indirect goods and/or services), will need to be enabled on the Ariba Network, the end-to-end digital solution for collaborating on transactions.

If you are receiving purchase orders from Smart Buy or have provided information using the Cisco registration form, please see Cisco Smart Buy.

Supplier FAQs

How to get payment for an invoice?

Where do I send an invoice?

How do I get a valid Cisco purchase order?

How do I find the purchase order number on the Cisco purchase order that I received?

Where do I send questions on the details of a Cisco purchase order?

How do I register to become a Cisco supplier?

What are the Cisco standard payment terms?

What is a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number?

How do you obtain a DUNS number?

Once I have a DUNS number, what do I need to do as a supplier?

How do I get payment for an invoice?

To have an invoice processed and paid, make sure that you have met the requirements on the following checklist:

• Has your company been set up in the Cisco supplier database? Visit the Supplier enrollment website for information, or contact the respective accounts payable department.
• Is a valid and correct Cisco purchase order number provided on the invoice? Most Cisco purchases must be preceded by the issuance of a valid Cisco purchase order. Sending an invoice without valid purchase order may result in processing and payment delay. If you are unsure on how to get a valid Cisco purchase order, talk to your Cisco contact person.
• Has the invoice been sent to the correct Cisco accounts payable department? Go to the main page to get details on correct accounts payable addresses.
• Have all the necessary information and details been furnished to the Cisco accounts payable department to comply with relevant statutory requirements? Each country has its own legal, tax, and other invoicing requirements, and it is important that those requirements are met. If you need more information, talk to your Cisco contact person.

Where do I send an invoice?

Go to the Accounts payable Information page, where you will find the correct address for invoices. If you already have a valid Cisco purchase order, you can find the address under the “Bill-to-Address” field. Refer to the Cisco Purchase Order explanation for more information.

How do I get a valid Cisco purchase order?

Ask the Cisco representative who is making the purchase for a valid Cisco purchase order. Most Cisco purchases require a valid Cisco purchase order prior to making a purchase. Sending an invoice without a valid purchase order may result in processing and payment delays.

Purchasing types in scope for Smart Buy will require the supplier to obtain the PO from the Ariba Network for Suppliers. Please see Cisco Smart Buy.

How do I find the purchase order number on the Cisco purchase order that I received?

Refer to the Cisco purchase order explanation for more information.

Where do I send questions on the details of a Cisco purchase order?

If you have received a Cisco purchase order and have questions, contact the Cisco representative who is making the purchase. That representative's details can be found under the Cisco Requestor field on the Cisco purchase order document. Refer to the Cisco purchase order explanation for more information.

How do I register to become a Cisco supplier?

Read the information contained on the Invited supplier guidelines webpage.

What are Cisco's standard payment terms?

Visit the Cisco payment terms website for more information.

What is a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number?
A DUNS number is a unique, nine-digit series of numerals that identifies a business. As we continuously improve our automation and digitization capabilities across operations, a DUNS number is now required to do business with Cisco.

How do you obtain a DUNS number?
Visit Dun & Bradstreet to register and obtain a number free of charge.

Once I have a DUNS number, what do I need to do as a supplier?
Your DUNS number must be associated with the purchasing site entity (which may differ from your headquarter location) and included on the Global Supplier Enrollment Package (GSEP) and associated documentation, as appropriate.