> 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 
* **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 

<details>

<summary> <strong>New or Enhanced Functionality</strong></summary>

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.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Deprecated Functions</strong></summary>

Not Applicable.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Removed Functions</strong></summary>

Not Applicable.

</details>

### Release Scope & Constraints&#x20;

This section outlines the supported sourcing scenarios, communications channels, and processing constraints for the Sourcing Manager Digital Worker in this release.&#x20;

#### Supported Sourcing Scope&#x20;

The digital worker supports automated sourcing and procurement activities with the following characteristics:&#x20;

<details>

<summary><strong>Purchase Requisition Scope:</strong></summary>

* 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)

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Supplier Selection Scope:</strong></summary>

* Existing suppliers and prospects registered in IFS Cloud&#x20;
* Supplier identification and shortlisting for RFQ participation using supplier performance, quality, compliance, and sourcing criteria maintained within the ERP.&#x20;

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Communication Channels:</strong></summary>

* &#x20;RFQ distribution through email
* RFQ publication through supported B2B channels where applicable
* Supplier quotation responses received through email

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Quotation Response Formats:</strong></summary>

* Information in the email body
* PDFs attachments (native and scanned)
* Image attachments (e.g., JPG, PNG)

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>RFQ Revisions:</strong> </summary>

* Quotation evaluation is performed after the RFQ Latest Reply Date has been reached.
* RFQs with newer revisions are not processed.&#x20;
* Quotations are evaluated against the latest RFQ revision only.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Purchase Order Scope:</strong> </summary>

* Automatic Purchase Order creation following quotation evaluation and approval
* Support for creating Supplier for Purchase Part records where required

</details>

### Known Limitations & Edge Cases&#x20;

The following scenarios are either not supported or have specific processing constraints in this release:&#x20;

* Creation of new suppliers&#x20;
* Creation of RFQ revisions&#x20;
* Purchase Requisition Creation&#x20;
* Purchase Order Confirmation Processing&#x20;

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.&#x20;

### Prerequisites&#x20;

This section outlines the customer‑side prerequisites that must already be in place to successfully set up and use the Sourcing Manager Digital Worker.&#x20;

These prerequisites are in addition to any configuration performed within IFS Loops. &#x20;

#### Supported Versions:

**IFS Cloud Compatibility:** &#x20;

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th></th><th></th><th></th><th></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td rowspan="2"><strong>Feature</strong> </td><td colspan="6"><strong>Version</strong> </td></tr><tr><td>26R2 </td><td>26R1 </td><td>25R2 </td><td>25R1 </td><td>24R2 </td><td>24R1 </td></tr><tr><td>Automated PR to RFQ Processing </td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Supplier Shortlisting &#x26; RFQ Distribution </td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Intelligent Quotation Parsing &#x26; Updates </td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Supplier Evaluation &#x26; Award Decisions </td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Purchase Order Creation </td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td><td><ul><li> </li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table>

&#x20;**Technical Prerequisites**&#x20;

To enable automated sourcing workflows and human-in-the-loop interactions, customers must have the following technical setup in place:&#x20;

* Email integration configured for RFQ distribution and receipt of supplier quotation responses&#x20;
* Collaboration channel such as Microsoft Teams or equivalent for sourcing summaries, notifications, explainability, and human-in-the-loop interactions&#x20;
* Appropriate IFS Cloud components and APIs assigned to the service user permission sets for the digital worker identity, including:&#x20;

**IFS Cloud Components & Permission Sets:** &#x20;

| **Component** | **API Name**                         |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| PURCH         | PurchaseRequisitionHandling          |
| PURCH         | PurchaseRequisitionLinesHandling     |
| PURCH         | CreateRequisitionToRequest           |
| PURCH         | RequestForPurchaseQuotation          |
| PURCH         | PurchaseQuotationHandling            |
| PURCH         | PurchaseQuotationLinesHandling       |
| PURCH         | PurchaseQuotationApprovalHandling    |
| PURCH         | PurchaseQuotationApprovalsHandling   |
| DOCMAN        | DocReferenceObjectAttachmentHandling |
| FNDBAS        | PrintDialog                          |

&#x20;**IFS Cloud Basic Data Prerequisites**&#x20;

The following IFS Cloud master and transactional data must already be configured and maintained by the customer to support automated processing:&#x20;

* Supplier master data, including supplier profiles, contact information, communication methods, and sourcing-related attributes&#x20;
* Master Part data&#x20;
* Purchase Part data&#x20;
* Supplier for Purchase Part relationships, where available. Missing relationships can be created automatically by the digital worker when required.&#x20;

&#x20;