Describing SAP Ariba 2508 Release Features

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to describe new or changed features for SAP Ariba Supplier Management in the SAP Ariba 2508 release.

AI Copilot Joule in Supplier Management

Business Details

Joule, SAP's generative AI copilot, is now available in supplier management. Joule uses a conversational interface to help users complete tasks efficiently. It leverages generative and other AI technologies to understand natural language requests, identify intent, perform actions, and provide insights. Using generative AI, it can execute tasks, deliver tailored responses, and summarize information effectively.

Joule can assist you with your product-related questions by finding answers in the product documentation published on the SAP Help Portal. Along with the answers, it provides direct links to the relevant source documents, allowing you to explore the details further. You can also perform tasks such as viewing the details of a document or approving a document from within the Joule interface.

Note

Connect to the data center in which your SAP Ariba Supplier Lifecycle and Performance solution is currently deployed. It is recommended to use the same infrastructure provider as the SAP Ariba Supplier Lifecycle and Performance infrastructure provider.

Note

To access Joule within SAP Ariba Supplier Lifecycle and Performance, an additional entitlement and authorization may be required. Please consult your account executive for more information.

Joule Capabilities in Supplier Management

Use CaseDescriptionExample
Supplier contact informationDisplays a list of the supplier's contacts. You must include supplier's SM vendor ID in the question.Show me contact details for supplier S12434567
Suppliers in Invited registration status for a number of daysDisplays a list of suppliers that have been invited to register but haven't responded to the invitation in the specified number of days.Show me the list of suppliers in "invited" status for more than 100 days
Suppliers in In Registration status for a number of daysDisplays a list of suppliers that have started the registration process but haven't submitted questionnaires in the specified number of days.Show me the list of suppliers in "In Registration" status for more than 100 days

In Joule answers, users can choose Open in App to open a supplier's profile and view details. For the contact use case, users can choose Open List in App to directly view contact details in the supplier's profile.

Changes to the User Interface

  • The Joule icon is now available in the top right of the shell bar. Choosing the icon brings up the Joule panel, where you can ask your questions.
  • With the release of this feature, the Config fields workspace in SM Administration, which administrators use to specify the supplier data fields included in certain API-based operations, is enabled for all customers. Previously, this field configuration was an optional feature that required enablement by SAP Ariba support.

Implementation Details

General Prerequisites

Joule must be integrated with SAP Ariba Supplier Lifecycle and Performance.

Technical Details

ProductSAP Ariba Supplier Lifecycle and Performance
EnablementCustomer-managed
Reference NumberSLP-2258
User TypeBuyer

WalkMe Available in SAP Ariba Products

Business Details

The WalkMe Digital Adoption Platform is now integrated with SAP Ariba products. Users can take advantage of easy-to-understand guidance powered by WalkMe.

WalkMe is an AI-powered solution that enables teams to create guidance and automation in the flow of work, while giving business and technology leaders insights into how people are using the software and where users can be more self-sufficient. This enables organizations to accelerate user adoption of technology, boost productivity, and maximize the value of enterprise software investments.

WalkMe is available in the following SAP Ariba capabilities and products:

  • Guided sourcing
  • Guided buying
  • SAP Ariba Invoice Management
  • SAP Ariba Contracts
  • SAP Ariba Supplier Lifecycle and Performance
  • SAP Ariba Supplier Risk

WalkMe comes with standard content from SAP Ariba.

Note

WalkMe is currently available in only English for the following products:
  • SAP Ariba Invoice Management
  • SAP Ariba Contracts
  • SAP Ariba Supplier Lifecycle and Performance
  • SAP Ariba Supplier Risk

You can add custom content tailored for your organization by first purchasing WalkMe Premium for SAP Ariba Solutions and creating your own WalkMe content. For more information about WalkMe Premium for SAP Ariba, see https://www.walkme.com.

Examples of the User Interface

Users display the WalkMe panel by clicking the WalkMe icon (or the Help icon for guided buying) in the banner at the top of each page.

Home dashboard with the WalkMe icon and Help icon highlighted.

The WalkMe panel displays as shown in the following figure:

WalkMe panel with initial tab displayed.

If you enable both WalkMe and SAP Companion, the On-Screen Help tab in the panel displays the SAP Companion content.

Note

WalkMe (including WalkMe Premium for SAP Ariba) works in conjunction with SAP Companion. However, WalkMe combined with SAP Enable Now could produce a confusing experience for users. While that combination might work for some customers, it's not a recommended scenario.

Changes to the User Interface

WalkMe was added to guided sourcing and guided buying in the 2505 release.

It has changed in the following ways in the 2508 release:

  • WalkMe is now enabled for all customers. Previously, it was disabled by default.
  • The WalkMe icon for guided sourcing has changed to a new image, located in the window banner. The icon for guided buying has also changed and is now located in the window banner.
  • The WalkMe panel now displays SAP Companion topics, so users don't have to click a different icon to display them.

Implementation Details

Configuration

By default, WalkMe is enabled and viewable by all users.

Administrators can configure it to use content from WalkMe Premium for SAP Ariba Solutions or disable it.

To configure WalkMe in guided sourcing, SAP Ariba Invoice Management, SAP Ariba Contracts, SAP Ariba Supplier Lifecycle and Performance, and SAP Ariba Supplier Risk:

  1. Sign in and go to the Intelligent Configuration Manager.
  2. Set the following new WalkMe parameters:
Parameter 
Enable the SAP WalkMe featureDisables or enables WalkMe.
Specify URL for WalkMe custom contentOptional URL of custom content from WalkMe Premium for SAP Ariba Solutions.
Enable WalkMe analyticsDisables or enables the collection of WalkMe analytical data.

To configure WalkMe in guided buying:

  1. Sign in and go to the Admin→Parameters page.
  2. Set the following existing WalkMe parameters:
ParameterDescription
PARAM_ENABLE_WALKMEDisables or enables WalkMe.
PARAM_WALKME_CUSTOMER_SYSTEM_URLOptional URL of custom content from WalkMe Premium for SAP Ariba Solutions.
PARAM_ENABLE_WALKME_ANALYTICSDisables or enables the collection of WalkMe analytical data.

Effects on Existing Data

If you use SAP Companion, your content remains available. It appears in the On-Screen Help tab in the WalkMe panel.

Note

The WalkMe panel doesn't support SAP Companion guided tours. Those tours are unavailable when WalkMe is enabled.

Technical Details

Product

SAP Ariba Sourcing

SAP Ariba Buying

SAP Ariba Buying and Invoicing

SAP Ariba Invoice Management

SAP Ariba Contracts

SAP Ariba Supplier Lifecycle and Performance

SAP Ariba Supplier Risk

EnablementAutomatically On
Reference NumberFRM-809
User TypeBuyer
Learning
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