SAP Ariba 2022 Q3 Release: Mandatory Updates
We’ve already hit the highlights of SAP Ariba’s 2022 Q3 release, on both the upstream and the downstream side. However, within that release there are two updates that become mandatory with this release, one to SLP and one to Buying and Invoicing. This is what you need to know now.
Mandatory Updates for Upstream and Downstream
We’ve already hit the highlights of the SAP Ariba 2022 Q3 release, on both the upstream and the downstream side. However, within that release there are two updates that every user should be aware of because will become mandatory with this update.
Even more crucial, the Upstream feature update must be enabled by SAP Ariba support, so it’s important to contact them to get your company on their list so you can use it properly.
Details of the mandatory Ariba 2022 Q3 updates
Upstream: Enhanced questionnaire configuration capabilities for increased ERP integration accuracy
Product(s): Supplier Lifecycle and Performance, Supplier Information and Performance Management
ID: SM-12250
Integration: Contact SAP Ariba Support to Enable
What you need to know: This was originally an optional update in the 2019 Q3 release that had to be enabled by SAP Ariba support. In the Ariba 2022 Q3 release it becomes a mandatory update.
Previously, for supplier field mapping, it was an open text field and you had to enter the custom field path for integration to the ERP, whether its ECC or S/4. That meant typing in the open text string of the custom field path.
The problem was that, say you had a mistype or you put a period in a weird spot, it would break the integration, or the integration would not successfully connect. This could happen whether you made the error initially, or if you made an error while making a change for whatever reason
The update adds a validation to the field mapping and a UI tool to generate suggested field restrictions whenever you create text answer type survey questions.
That means it will suggest certain field patterns for each single-entry text field to make sure that what you’re integrating from the open text field will actually fit into the ERP and be accepted. This is really great for taking the integration requirements from something that’s more of a technical role to somebody who’s more of a functional side admin to be able to configure from the customer side. It’s going to give them those suggestions and potentially limit the failures that they may experience during the integration on the SLP side. They also then won’t have to understand how to access and troubleshoot integration errors within CIG. In other words, they’re going to be able to head off some issues at the pass.
Downstream: Support for supplier diversity information in non-catalog purchases
Product: Buying, Buying and Invoicing
ID: GB-9570
Integration: Automatically On
What we like about this feature: This was optional in Ariba’s 2022 Q2 release, but now it’s mandatory and will be an automatic upgrade.
Companies have been supporting diverse suppliers for a very long time, but it can be difficult to know to what extent they support and promote diversity.
This feature helps you promote diverse and socially responsible suppliers by displaying diversity labels, like “Hispanic owned” or “independently owned”, in the supplier’s information. When users are creating non-catalog requests, for example, they can quickly identify which suppliers that are classified as diverse or are designated as socially responsible.
If you want to further promote diversity through procurement, you can create a diversity program. Suppliers in your diversity program are branded with your diversity logo, and a description of your program is included in the supplier’s details.
Why you should keep track of SAP Ariba’s Quarterly Releases
SAP Ariba’s quarterly updates aren’t always at the top of our clients’ radar – but we think they should be.
That’s because the whole point of Ariba is to make the procurement process as simple and seamless as possible. The updates, often prompted by input from customers, aims to further improve modules, solutions and processes to improve the user experience.
The challenge is the sheer number of updates. In the 2022 Q1 update, released on Feb. 18, 2022, there are approximately 97 new features. In the 2022 Q2 update, released on May 20, 2022, there are approximately 83, and in this Q3 release there was a whopping 101 new features!
Follow all of our update blogs to keep up with the features that we think are the best for most companies.
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