> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://kb.theloops.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://kb.theloops.io/releasenotes/release-notes/digital-workers-release-notes/sourcing-manager.md).
# Sourcing Manager
## Product Overview
Digital Worker Name: Sourcing Manager 1.0
Release Version: Q3 2026
Release Date: Sep 15th, 2026
## What’s New
This release introduces the Sourcing Manager Digital Worker, a new autonomous worker that manages the sourcing lifecycle from Purchase Requisition (PR) through Request for Quotation (RFQ) to Purchase Order (PO) creation.
It automates supplier sourcing, quotation collection, evaluation, supplier selection, and purchase order creation while maintaining human oversight, transparency, and control throughout the process.
#### What’s new at a glance:
* Automated PR to RFQ Processing identifies eligible purchase requisition lines, creates RFQs, shortlists suppliers, and initiates supplier engagement.
* Supplier Shortlisting & RFQ Distribution distributes RFQs through email and B2B channels and manages supplier interactions throughout the sourcing process.
* Intelligent Quotation Parsing & Updates analyzes supplier emails and attached documents to extract quotation details and update order quotations in IFS Cloud.
* Supplier Evaluation & Award Decisions evaluates supplier responses based on pricing, delivery dates, historical performance, and other relevant criteria to recommend the most suitable supplier.
* Purchase Order Creation creates Purchase Orders for selected suppliers, completing the sourcing process and preparing orders for downstream procurement activities.
* Human-in-the-Loop Review supports oversight of sourcing decisions while maintaining control and accountability.
* End-to-End Visibility & Auditability delivers complete traceability across the sourcing process through the ERP and IFS Loops Agentic Studio.
### Changes in Product Offering
New or Enhanced Functionality
This release introduces the Sourcing Manager Digital Worker as a new capability in the IFS Loops ecosystem.\
The digital worker automates the sourcing lifecycle from Purchase Requisition (PR) through Request for Quotation (RFQ) to Purchase Order (PO) creation, enabling organizations to execute sourcing activities through a combination of agentic automation and human oversight.
Deprecated Functions
Not Applicable.
Removed Functions
Not Applicable.
### Release Scope & Constraints
This section outlines the supported sourcing scenarios, communications channels, and processing constraints for the Sourcing Manager Digital Worker in this release.
#### Supported Sourcing Scope
The digital worker supports automated sourcing and procurement activities with the following characteristics:
Purchase Requisition Scope:
* Purchase Requisition lines with Request Category = Quotation Request
* Purchase Requisitions originating from supported IFS Cloud processes (e.g., MRP, Shop Orders, Planning Objects, and Projects)
Supplier Selection Scope:
* Existing suppliers and prospects registered in IFS Cloud
* Supplier identification and shortlisting for RFQ participation using supplier performance, quality, compliance, and sourcing criteria maintained within the ERP.
Communication Channels:
* RFQ distribution through email
* RFQ publication through supported B2B channels where applicable
* Supplier quotation responses received through email
Quotation Response Formats:
* Information in the email body
* PDFs attachments (native and scanned)
* Image attachments (e.g., JPG, PNG)
RFQ Revisions:
* Quotation evaluation is performed after the RFQ Latest Reply Date has been reached.
* RFQs with newer revisions are not processed.
* Quotations are evaluated against the latest RFQ revision only.
Purchase Order Scope:
* Automatic Purchase Order creation following quotation evaluation and approval
* Support for creating Supplier for Purchase Part records where required
### Known Limitations & Edge Cases
The following scenarios are either not supported or have specific processing constraints in this release:
* Creation of new suppliers
* Creation of RFQ revisions
* Purchase Requisition Creation
* Purchase Order Confirmation Processing
In addition, Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) interactions are focused on providing visibility, summaries, and explainability of sourcing decisions and actions performed by the digital worker.
### Prerequisites
This section outlines the customer‑side prerequisites that must already be in place to successfully set up and use the Sourcing Manager Digital Worker.
These prerequisites are in addition to any configuration performed within IFS Loops.
#### Supported Versions:
---
# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.
## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:
```
GET https://kb.theloops.io/releasenotes/release-notes/digital-workers-release-notes/sourcing-manager.md?ask=&goal=
```
`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.
Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.