In SAP Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), the Shopping Cart is a fundamental concept that simplifies and streamlines the procurement process for end users. It acts as a digital procurement basket where users can gather goods and services they intend to purchase before submitting a formal purchase requisition. Shopping carts enable organizations to enforce procurement policies, improve user experience, and ensure accurate purchasing data.
This article introduces the concept of shopping carts in SAP SRM, their key features, and their role within the procurement cycle.
A Shopping Cart in SAP SRM is an electronic document created by a user to request the purchase of products or services. It serves as a preliminary document that collects all purchase requirements, which are later converted into purchase requisitions and processed through approvals and ordering workflows.
Unlike traditional manual procurement methods, shopping carts offer a user-friendly interface and integration with catalogs and supplier data, making the purchasing process efficient and transparent.
Shopping carts in SAP SRM provide intuitive web-based or SAP GUI interfaces allowing users to easily search for items, add quantities, and specify delivery details.
Users can shop from centralized catalogs—both enterprise catalogs and supplier catalogs—ensuring that only approved goods and services are requested. This reduces maverick buying and improves compliance.
Users can add multiple line items representing different products or services, define quantities, and specify special instructions or delivery dates.
Shopping carts undergo automated checks for budget availability and compliance with procurement policies before submission, preventing unauthorized or over-budget purchases.
Once submitted, shopping carts enter predefined approval workflows based on organizational rules. This ensures that all purchases are reviewed and authorized before procurement.
After approval, shopping carts are converted into purchase requisitions and sent to the SAP ERP system or other backend systems for further processing such as purchase orders and invoicing.
Shopping carts are a core component of SAP SRM’s procurement functionality, enabling organizations to manage purchasing activities efficiently while maintaining control and compliance. By leveraging shopping carts, businesses can empower users to request goods and services easily, streamline approval processes, and integrate seamlessly with backend procurement operations.
Understanding shopping carts is essential for SAP SRM users, procurement specialists, and IT professionals involved in managing or supporting SAP SRM implementations.