RFX-based procurement
Not only to achieve short-term savings, but also to develop long-term successful and sustainable procurement strategies – FUTURA Smart supports a systematic and comprehensive approach, e. g. for the bundling of volumes or the consolidation of expenses, as well as for the development of negotiation strategies to optimize price, quality, delivery conditions and other important factors.
Optimal bidding competition
Be it to achieve cost reductions or to prevent price increases, e-sourcing can be used to include a larger number of bidders in the process, thus increasing competition on price and performance. Further price reductions can be regularly achieved by using a second or even several bidding rounds, after technical clarification discussions and commercial negotiations.
Applied AI in the sourcing process
Futura Solutions relies on best practices. This also applies to the various AI assistants used in the purchasing and procurement process. The FUTURA Smart AI assistants support both consumers and purchasers. For our use cases, we pay particular attention to data quality and the potential for optimization. This is a prerequisite for efficient automation.
Integration of RFX processes into the SAP system
Straightforward and seamless – real-time integration is the key. Purchase requisitions, material masters or contracts or existing purchase orders are transferred from SAP to FUTURA Smart – including file attachments. All sourcing activities as well as the communication with suppliers are documented in an audit-proof manner. After the award of the contract, SAP purchase orders and contracts are created via FUTURA Smart – automatically, of course.
From easy sourcing to multi-stage sourcing
Different material groups, purchasing volumes and project types require customized approaches, ranging from simple price inquiries to complex requests for quotations – for example, by efficiently handling routine requirements via Easy Sourcing (RFQ), while multi-stage sourcing, a combination of RFI, RFP and RFQ, allows for detailed analyses for strategic procurements.
Requests for information to qualify suppliers
Use case
General questions about skills, experience and qualities
- Used to obtain information about potential suppliers and their quotations
- Used in the early stages of the procurement process to gain an overview of the market
- Helps with the pre-selection of suitable suppliers for more detailed requests
FEATURES
- Questionnaires with weighting
- Scoring
- Evaluation matrix
Requests for quotation for more complex measures and projects
Use case
Questions about the details of a product (specification) or a service (functional description)
- Requests detailed proposals from suppliers
- Used when complex solutions or services are required where not only price but also qualitative aspects such as technical solutions, implementation plans or service offerings are crucial.
- Enables a comprehensive comparison of quotations in terms of technical and qualitative aspects and contains evaluation criteria for the selection of suppliers
FEATURES
- List of services or products
- Questionnaires with weighting
- Scoring
- Evaluation matrix
- Price comparison list
- Utility analysis
Price inquiries with
easy comparability
Use case
Price inquiries and other commercial criteria such as delivery and payment terms
- Aims at specific quotations for specific products or services
- Used when the exact requirements are already known
- Enables a direct price comparison between different providers and is used to select the most economical quotation.
FEATURES
- Requirement specification
- Easy Access for suppliers
- CO2 footprint (PCF) query and comparison in the price comparison list
Transparent negotiations with suppliers in real time
Use case
Maximizing cost efficiency and fast decision-making
- Used when pre-qualified suppliers are already available and the focus is on optimizing prices and conditions
- Enables transparent, data-based, real-time pricing between qualified providers
FEATURES
- Various auction options, designed for different initial situations
Plug-and-play – highly functional, maximally adaptive, intuitive usage
Issuing requests just as easily as sending an e-mail – that is the aim of FUTURA Smart and the key to a high level of user acceptance. All you need is an e-mail address to invite suppliers to requests for quotation or to send price inquiries – and it takes suppliers just a few clicks to view requests for quotation and to conveniently process quotations – via “Easy Access” they can access the system without going through a time-consuming registration process, but with a high level of security.
AI assistants, cockpits and monitors pick up the SAP purchasers where they work every day: In the launchpad, conveniently with single sign-on. User-friendly and intuitive, FUTURA Apps enable even casual users or new users to start their first requests for quotation without a long training period.
AI-BASED REQUIREMENT SPECIFICATION
QM manager for the specification
AI-BASED RFQ AUTOMATION
Convert automatically requirement descriptions into RFQs
AI-BASED ANALYSIS & SIMULATION
Point out anomalies in quotations
ADVERTISE PURCHASE REQUISITIONS
Search and read purchase requisition items
CALL FOR TENDER
by free text
SAP-based free text requests for quotation
Advertise material
masters
Writing out material master data
Renegotiate purchasing contracts
Search for contracts and transfer to RFQ
Overview and control
of all RFQs
Track and control requests for quotation
Evaluate offers
Analyze and sucessfully
negotiate quotations
NEGOTIATE EFFICIENTLY ONLINE
Create auctions with predefined prices
show savings
Determining and identifying potential savings
Track purchase order confirmations
Manage order confirmations
Experience FUTURA Smart live now.
With FUTURA Smart, we have found an S2C tool that integrates seamlessly with SAP S/4HANA. What is particularly convincing is that purchasers can launch requests for quotations in FUTURA Smart with just a few mouse clicks. All the data already available in SAP for requests for quotations and inquiries can be transferred at the push of a button, including documents. Our users also responded very positively to the modern user interface, which clearly dates from 2024.
Project Manager FUTURA Smart C. Zimmermann, RWE Offshore Wind GmbH
FAQ about FUTURA Smart
What is FUTURA Smart?
FUTURA Smart is the cloud-based sourcing platform for SAP S/4HANA that digitalizes the entire sourcing process.
The solution is seamlessly integrated into the SAP Launchpad and provides purchasers with an intelligent user interface for creating, managing, and evaluating requests for quotation.
Thanks to AI-supported functions such as the Requestor Assist, the RFQ Maker, and the Anomaly Detector, FUTURA Smart automates many manual steps and increases efficiency, transparency, and compliance in strategic purchasing.
What kind of companies is FUTURA Smart suitable for?
FUTURA Smart is particularly suitable for medium-sized to large companiesthat work with SAP and are looking for a consistent, structured, intelligent, and automated solution for procuring everything from simple requirements to technically complex projects.
How does FUTURA Smart support the sourcing process?
FUTURA Smart offers end-to-end support in all phases of the sourcing process: from the transfer of SAP purchase requisitions, RFx creation, and the submission of quotations by suppliers (without registration) through to quotation evaluation and awarding.
AI-supported functions such as the RFQ Maker (automatic structuring of PDF quotations) and the Anomaly Detector (detection of price deviations) increase the quality and speed of decisions.
In addition, FUTURA Smart enables multi-stage processes, e-auctions, and complete documentation of all steps.
Is FUTURA Smart compatible with SAP S/4HANA?
Yes, FUTURA Smart is fully certified for SAP S/4HANA and is directly integrated into the SAP Launchpad. The platform uses bidirectional interfaces (APIs) to exchange data such as purchase requisitions, material master data, contracts or purchase orders in real time between SAP and FUTURA.
Single sign-on (SSO) is also supported. This ensures that the entire request for quotation and procurement process remains consistent, transparent, and auditable across all systems.
Why FUTURA Smart and not a classic sourcing solution?
FUTURA Smart excels through automated workflows, artificial intelligence, SAP integration aand a user-friendly interface in Fiori style. The platform reduces manual effort with intelligent templates, automated quote analysis, and intuitive cockpits for purchasers.
Real-time data, dashboards, and AI give companies better decision-making tools and enable them to achieve significant cost savings. Suppliers also benefit from easy access and clear, digital processes.
Can suppliers use FUTURA Smart without registration?
Yes, FUTURA Smart offers a remarkably simple supplier integration. Suppliers receive secure access to submit quotations via an e-mail link – without having to register in advance.
Suppliers can submit quotations, upload documents, ask questions, and participate in e-auctions via the web-based supplier portal. Communication is audit-proof, GDPR-compliant, and fully documented. This lowers the barrier to access and makes collaboration with suppliers significantly more efficient.
How long does the implementation of FUTURA Smart take?
FUTURA Smart scores with a fast time-to-valueand minimal training effort, as the platform is integrated into the SAP process logic by default and features an intuitive, Fiori-like user interface.
Basic implementation: 4-8 weeks
Complex rollout: 8-12 weeks
Training for consumers: < 1 day
Schulung Bedarfsträger: < 1 Tag
Supplier access: ready for immediate use
Get started quickly, work easily, scale flexibly – ready for real SAP purchasing?
Turn your S/4 system into a fully-fledged procurement suite - with FUTURA. The SAP-native sourcing platform accelerates procurement, reduces costs and creates the basis for consistent, efficient and future-proof sourcing processes.
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FUTURA Smart at a glance. Features for SAP and RFX Sourcing.