SAP is introducing a new technology, into the Supply Chain Management Module SCM 4.1, called the Inventory Collaboration Hub or ICH. The Inventory Collaboration Hub will optimize the process handling between customers and suppliers. Through their own Web portals suppliers can have a direct view of the process environment of the customer. Sectors that were analyzed such as logistics networks, production procedures and products, had different goal segments defined for the ICH. The ideal customer, who processes orders using the ICH, already owns an ERP license from SAP and is in the automobile, machine, hightech, processing or consumer goods industry. The implementation of the ICH requires a high degree of investment beyond the technical difficulties. In order to successfully implement the ICH, considerable attention must be given to the relationship between the customers and the suppliers. Only in this way, can advantages be realized in increased availability, reduction of inventory buffers or the maintenance of product quality. The arguments as to why a supplier should process orders through the ICH, can be found primarily in the areas of cost saving and stabilized long-term business relations.The analysis of the market has shown that, first of all, a strong market growth exists in the area of SCM and secondly different manufacturers possess Web-based portal solutions themselves. It can be said that the solutions offered by firms specializing in SCM software, like Manugistics or i2 Technologies, aim at much the same market as the Inventory Collaboration Hub from SAP. The major advantage, that the ?Inventory Collaboration Hub? has over its direct competitors, can be found in the company?s own ERP system. Users are familiar with the SAP user interface and can, for example, quickly begin to work productively again.