FUTURA Explained in 4 Minutes
Three sourcing approaches in the SAP environment – and their limitations
S/4 HANA manages operational procurement. However, the upstream processes, such as requests, comparisons of quotations, and contract awards, often take place outside the SAP system. This leads to three typical approaches, all of which have structural limitations:
Excel & E-mail workarounds
Quick introduction, but still heavily reliant on manual processing.
Manual data management, low transparency, and a lack of governance limit scalability and traceability.
Procurement suites
Wide range of functionalities, but only as an additional platform alongside SAP.
This creates a second process and data environment that must be integrated into SAP and continuously synchronized.
SAP Ariba Sourcing
Part of the SAP portfolio, but not part of the core SAP system.
Despite the proximity to SAP, this leads to integration, maintenance, and coordination efforts.
Sourcing with SAP S/4HANA – A Comparison of Approaches
, Excel, Procurement Suite, Ariba, and FUTURA
| Excel / Outlook | Procurement suite | SAP Ariba Sourcing | FUTURA | |
| Time to value (Go-live) | Immediately, but without system depth | Long implementation times (often > 6 months) | Large-scale integration project (often lasting more than 12 months) | Up and running in SAP within 4–8 weeks |
| Simplicity & acceptance | High, but prone to errors | Significant training costs | Complex UI | Intuitive, up and running from day one |
| Transparency & governance | Low (not auditable) | Partial (in-house system) | Partial (in-house system) | Audit compliance in the SAP standard |
| Integration effort / Clean Core | no integration | SAP system discontinuity | Interface solution | SAP-native by design / Clean Core |
| Scalability | Minimal, only simple tasks | Limited (no construction) | Limited (no construction) | For all procurement scenarios (including construction / GAEB) |
| Total cost of ownership (TCO) | low (no licenses, but requires manual effort) | Medium to high (Suite overhead + requires middleware) | High (licenses per functional area + requires middleware) | Low- s (SAP core, no middleware) |
| Release security | Not applicable (no system) | Separate upgrades | Separate upgrades | Future-proof upgrades within the SAP lifecycle (Clean Core) |
SAP Ariba – part of the SAP portfolio, but not part of the system.
SAP Ariba is a natural choice if SAP is already in use. Nevertheless, sourcing often involves an additional set of processes and data that must be integrated with S/4HANA and maintained on an ongoing basis. Those who want to keep requests, comparisons of quotations, and contract awards more closely aligned with the SAP process should look into when an SAP Ariba alternative makes sense.
SAP Ariba Insights: When integrated sourcing processes become cost drivers
When companies choose FUTURA
FUTURA is an SAP-native sourcing solution for S/4HANA designed for SAP companies that want to establish strategic procurement as an integral part of their SAP ecosystem —without the need for new system landscapes.
Typically, there are four scenarios in which companies choose FUTURA:
Companies undergoing the S/4HANA transformation process
Many organizations are using the migration to S/4HANA to streamline their procurement processes and reduce media discontinuities.
FUTURA enhances S/4HANA with structured sourcing processes, enabling requirements to be systematically brought to market, quotations to be compared, and decisions to be documented in a transparent manner.
Direct requests for purchase requisitions
Effective supplier integration
Fully integrated SAP sourcing
Closing the sourcing gap in S/4HANA in a targeted manner – from the very beginning.
Less complexity, lower costs.
Mid-sized companies with a clear SAP strategy
SME companies, in particular, often want to professionalize their strategic procurement – without additional platforms, integration projects, or complex licensing models.
FUTURA enables structured sourcing directly within the SAP environment and integrates operational procurement, requests, and supplier management into a single system.
No additional platform
Quick introduction
Complete cost certainty
Fast-growing companies and startups with a focus on SAP
Fast-growing companies also face the challenge of structuring their procurement processes early on. However, they often lack the resources or the necessary IT infrastructure for large-scale platform projects.
FUTURA Smart can be implemented as a standalone solution and seamlessly integrated into an SAP environment at a later date.
Flexible start
Also possible in standalone mode
Anytime scaling in SAP
Get started flexibly today – scale seamlessly into SAP tomorrow.
End-to-end service, construction, and project awarding in the SAP context.
Companies with heterogeneous system landscapes that use SAP Ariba
Many international organizations have established ERP landscapes in which SAP S/4HANA is used alongside platforms such as SAP Ariba. Particularly when it comes to services, construction work, or project-based contracts, gaps often arise between the ERP system, the platform, and actual procurement practices.
FUTURA Engineering specifically enhances this landscape with SAP-native sourcing processes for complex service structures.
Mapping complex awards
Focus on services & construction
Uniform control in the SAP context
One system. One process.
Experience FUTURA live
The difference lies in the architecture – which is the source of the greatest TCO leverage
It is not the features, but the system architecture that makes the difference. The biggest cost drivers in sourcing are integration, the number of systems, and the data model. An SAP-native approach reduces structural complexity and thus has a direct impact on costs, operational expenses, and upgrade risks.
For companies focused on low total cost of ownership (TCO), this architectural approach is crucial. FUTURA closely follows this principle and brings sourcing to where the data is: Into the SAP system. This means:
lower operating and maintenance costs
Without middleware → no integration landscape
fewer interfaces and less integration effort
No shadow processes → Expansion instead of a new system environment
lower project and consulting costs
SAP standard → no major IT project
Our solutions
FUTURA fully integrates sourcing into the SAP system – from requests through to awarding and supplier management.
From price inquiries to requests and e-auctions
GAEB-based awarding & suppliement management
Qualify and evaluate suppliers in the supplier lifecycle
This is what users from purchasing and IT are saying
About us
Futura Solutions has been developing and providing innovative software solutions for digital transformation in SAP purchasing since 1997.
Our SAP-native solutions – with a clear focus on Clean Core, process harmonization, and quick implementation – are used by mid-sized companies and DAX-listed corporations.
We combine in-depth procurement know-how with SAP expertise and assist procurement organizations in their journey toward a future-proof procurement strategy.
Turn your S/4 system into a fully-fledged procurement suite – with FUTURA. The SAP-native sourcing platform expedites procurement, reduces costs, and provides the basis for consistent, efficient, and future-proof sourcing processes.
Get started quickly, work easily, scale flexibly – ready for real SAP purchasing?
FUTURA expands SAP S/4HANA with end-to-end sourcing processes — SAP-native, without middleware, without a second system environment. Live in 4–8 weeks.
How FUTURA S/4HANA provides targeted and end-to-end enhancements – explained simply.
Get to know FUTURA Smart – with your own procurement requirements. Free of charge, no obligation, specific.
Do you have questions or want to integrate FUTURA Smart into your S/4HANA project? We speak your language and that of your IT department.