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FAQ: Move to guided sourcing capability for SAP Ariba Sourcing
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is changing?
A: Based on customer feedback, we've decided to further extend the previously announced transition deadline for guided sourcing. A new mandatory transition date will be published in 2026. Customers using the classic sourcing user experience (UX) for their SAP Ariba Sourcing solution will have the option at least until the end of 2026 to transition to the new guided sourcing capability, our latest and most advanced UX. This extension allows customers to transition to Guided Sourcing at a pace that suits their business needs.
Q: When and how will the transition from classic sourcing to guided sourcing take place?
A: Transition to Guided Sourcing is a self-service process, driven by customers. Customer will have until at least the end of 2026 to complete their transition. A new mandatory transition date will be published in 2026. While both the classic and guided sourcing user experiences will continue to be supported until further announcements (though classic sourcing will not receive any new features or innovations), we encourage you to plan ahead and initiate your transition plans.
Q: Why is SAP encouraging SAP Ariba Sourcing customers to transition from the classic UX to the guided sourcing UX?
A: Guided sourcing supports the complex scenarios available in the classic UX, along with innovative new capabilities that deliver even greater value for users, including:
The shift to guided sourcing will enable every customer to benefit from these and other enhancements. It will also help SAP to accelerate these improvements, since moving forward, innovation will be focused only on the guided sourcing capability.
Q: What actions do I need to take as a customer if I would like to enable guided sourcing?
A: To Enable guided sourcing, follow the Setting Up Guided Sourcing documentation to complete these main steps.
Q: What can end users expect?
A: There will be no changes in the standard UX for the SAP Ariba Sourcing solution. However, users can toggle between the classic sourcing UI and the guided sourcing UI during the transition. Refer to this documentation to enable this ability.
Q: Is there any change in user or admin functionality?
A: There is no change in the functionality. However, members of the Category Buyer group will have the option to create guided sourcing events. To create, edit, or publish guided sourcing events, a user must also be a member of a group with underlying sourcing permissions, such as the Sourcing Analyst group. Please refer to our Configuring Users for guided sourcing documentation for detailed instructions on how to enable your users for guided sourcing.
Q: How does this impact back-end processes, integrations, or reporting?
A: As guided sourcing is simply a UX for SAP Ariba Sourcing, back-end processes, integrations, and reporting will remain unchanged.
Q: Does this change also apply to my production test environment?
A: We recommend enabling all realms with guided sourcing to ensure a consistent production and testing experience. Realms will need to be enabled individually through the process mentioned above.
Q: Can customers default back to classic sourcing if they have transitioned to guided sourcing?
A: Only customers who have legacy classic sourcing templates and events can default back to classic sourcing by switching the parameter NavigateToNewUIExtension off and removing the Category Buyer permission.
Q: What will happen to the templates that were copied when guided sourcing was enabled on the site?
A: No changes will be made in an automated manner by SAP. You have the option to archive the templates.
Q: Will there be any impact to the supplier experience in guided sourcing?
A: No, the supplier view and processes are not changed with guided sourcing.
Q: Are any enhancements planned for classic sourcing?
A: Classic sourcing will not receive new features or innovations. Bug fixes will continue to be supported according to the current Support SLAs. Innovations and bug fixes will be implemented on guided sourcing. Please refer to the SAP Roadmap Explorer for more information.
Q: Is the Classic Sourcing End of Support (EOS) date still December 2025?
A: The Classic sourcing end of support date has been extended. Customers will have until at least the end of 2026 to transition from Classic Sourcing. A new end of support date will be announced in 2026.
Q: When I am ready, how do I block users from using Classic Sourcing to complete the transition?
A: Follow these instructions to submit a support request to enable the parameter Block classic sourcing creation.
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