Overview - FUTURA Smart for Purchasers
Welcome to FUTURA. On this page we will give you a brief overview of the benefits and the purposes for using FUTURA Smart.
What is FUTURA Smart?
FUTURA Smart is a cloud-based and modular platform for SAP-based purchasing and provides seamless, digitally networked business processes for purchasers and suppliers worldwide. Thanks to smart networking and automation options, the purchasing department has the flexibility to take requests for quotation and procurement to the next level of digitalization efficiently and sustainably – with SAP as the digital core.
All data in S/4HANA, all in real time
SAP Digital Core Procurement is our response to the requirements of SAP customers to consistently digitalize procurement processes as part of their Digital Core strategy.
This means: The SAP Launchpad as a single point of entry for all sourcing activities, real-time data access in S/4HANA, simplified user guidance via FUTURA apps and a flexible and efficient connection to suppliers and service providers.
No parallel purchasing processes
No shadow systems
No error-prone data imports and exports
Harmonizing, simplifying and accelerating sourcing processes
FUTURA apps bring the entire functional world of FUTURA into the SAP Launchpad: Purchasers can thus start requests for quotation more easily and control them better via SAP, compare quotations directly and use negotiations strategically.
Here are some examples of the apps which will help you accomplish this:
The arrangement of the FUTURA apps in your Launchpad and their names is determined on a customer-specific basis. The names you use may differ from those listed here.
FUTURA BANF Cockpit
Challenge | Solution | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
Quickly and easily search for purchase requisitions, select them and transfer them to a request. | Simple, fast and clear filtering, selection and transfer of requisitions into a request for quotation. Direct assignment of suppliers from SAP, your address book and/or FUTURA Supplier Network. | More certainty that all requisitions will be processed due to the better overview. In addition, time savings and at the same time acceleration through seamless integration instead of time wasters due to system discontinuities. |
FUTURA Monitor for requests for quotation
Challenge | Solution | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
Track or modify requests for quotation and and identify supplier activity. | Complete overviews of all requests, react quickly to activities of your suppliers, receive questions and send replies and messages. | All purchasing and requesting processes at a glance. No matter from which source – one view for everything. Easily modify your requests for quotation and add new suppliers. |
FUTURA monitor for quotations
Challenge | Solution | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
Opening quotations, viewing the price comparison list and negotiating with suppliers. | Define negotiation teams and approvers, open quotations (closed requests for quotation), and evaluate and negotiate with suppliers. Start new rounds of requests for quotation or auctions, approve and issue as well as create purchase orders and/or contracts in SAP. | All quotations at a glance, regardless of the request process. Automated evaluation of quotations in the price comparison list with all the information provided by the supplier. Implementing the best purchasing strategy: Personal negotiation or a new round of a request for quotation. |
Integration of suppliers
With FUTURA Smart, suppliers and service providers are integrated into your business processes in real time without media discontinuity. This gives you a fast line to your suppliers – and vice versa.
Ad-hoc integration – company name and e-mail address are sufficient
Integrate communication with suppliers in an audit-proof manner
High level of acceptance due to cost free use for suppliers
GDPR-compliant and thus reliable data protection
Onboarding
All suppliers invited to a request for quotation will receive their own FUTURA account. Suppliers add their own master data during registration. They can view the request for quotation, edit and submit their quotation and manage their company profile via their company account.
This is what the request for quotation process looks like on the supplier's side:
Receives an invitation to request for quotation by e-mail – access data for the first login, e.g. for quotation processing or order confirmation, will be sent automatically.
Opens the request for quotation in its supplier portal and calculates online or enters the prices
Specifies delivery quantities and delivery times
Adds the entry of a bid deadline
Submit the quotations and you're done!
Communication
All messages exchanged with suppliers are bundled in a central location and can also be viewed transparently by other persons in charge, e.g. in the case of a substitution. This ensures that inquiries are clarified promptly and in a traceable manner in order to receive the best possible quotations.
Do you have questions about FUTURA Smart? You can find many answers to your questions here in this Support Center. If you do not find what you are looking for on these pages, you can count on our support by e-mail and phone free of charge*:
Phone: +49 611 33 460 560 | Phone from the USA: 833 657 1575
(Mon-Fri, from 8:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m. – Central European Time)
Email: support@futura-solutions.de
Online: Support Center for purchasers | Support Center for suppliers
(*free of charge: Charges may apply for a metered connection via telephone or Internet.)