We are excited to announce that the version 19.0 release of MeRLIN is now live! The updates have been compiled into release notes below, providing an overview of the enhancements and fixes in our product that the users anticipated, ensuring that they are up to date with the latest developments.
MeRLIN Release 19 introduces a range of enhancements across sourcing, supplier management, compliance, platform features, and integrations. These updates focus on improving usability, flexibility, and collaboration for buyers, suppliers, and administrators.
New Features
Supplier Management
Reports
Supplier list reports now include additional partner fields and a Responsible Buyer column.
Supplier 360
Supplier activation/deactivation events are now recorded in the 360° view history and audit trail.
To improve the reliability and security of OTP (One-Time Password) delivery for supplier authentication in Germany, supplier users are no longer allowed to register landline numbers for receiving OTPs.
Supplier Data
Buyers can click supplier names in the Unapproved Supplier list to view full details, just like the Approved Supplier list.
Buyers can now view the Scorecard Configuration in read-only mode directly from the supplier score, for better context.
Supplier Information
Supplier profile information now includes Partner-configured fields as well.
Suppliers and buyers can now view country-specific bank information fields.
Users can now change, replace, or delete the Supplier Company logo image in the registration form.
Editing rights for supplier information have been extended to Vendor Masters as well as Responsible Buyers.
Suppliers are now made editable automatically (based on configuration) when a document is nearing expiry.
Business Admins can now configure whether expired documents appear under Active or Archived in the Supplier Registration form.
Supplier Onboarding
Buyers can now preselect categories when sending a supplier invite, and these will appear by default in the supplier’s registration form to avoid errors.
Supplier Scorecard
Buyers can now view score ranges and their meanings on supplier scorecards for better clarity.
Survey
Compliance survey templates now allow comments and attachments for each question and answer, configurable as mandatory or optional.
Sourcing
Sourcing
Enabled multidisciplinary evaluation of RFQ responses, so different aspects of bids can be assessed independently.
Sourcing Event
Introduced a Fast Lane option for suppliers to participate quickly in RFIs.
Sourcing Events Management
Sourcing Committee
RFQs now offer the same level of functionality as RFIs, making the process consistent and easier to manage.
Buyers can attach files up to 200 MB in RFIs, making it easier to share large drawings and specs.
Buyers can add item-level attachments to give suppliers detailed information at a more granular level.
Suppliers can attach files at the RFI level when responding, for clearer, complete submissions.
The RFI list view is now customizable, giving users the flexibility to choose which columns to show/hide and save the preferences.
You can now view, create, edit, copy, and delete RFQ templates from a template list.
RFQ amendment steps are clearer and safer, so updating an active RFQ is easier to manage.
Buyers can now set up review groups for technical and price evaluations and assign weightages to ensure fair scoring across bids.
Users can now customise the RFQ list by showing or hiding columns and saving their preferred view.
Suppliers can now select only the specified supply location, helping prevent mistakes in submissions.
Items added by mistake can now be deleted during RFQ amendment.
Buyers can now cancel a published RFQ (except when under amendment), removing it completely if created by mistake or no longer needed.
When adding a service item to an RFQ, buyers now have the flexibility to define or skip the service end date, based on the availability of details.
Buyers can now add service items to an RFQ without milestones, making it easier to include services without defined phases.
Buyers can now skip shipping terms and locations for service items in RFQs, since they are not always relevant.
Buyers can now retain the original RFQ publish date during amendments, ensuring history is clear for all stakeholders.
Approvers can now approve an RFQ or RFI even if a schedule date is in the past, with a warning to adjust the timeline.
Suppliers can now view the RFQ schedule while quoting or viewing the RFQ, ensuring full visibility of timelines.
Suppliers can now provide item quotes with a single click, making the option quicker and more visible.
Suppliers can now bulk upload quotes via Excel even for RFQs they choose not to pursue, including discounts and extra charges.
Item–supplier mapping in RFQs has been reorganised for a clearer, more efficient setup.
Buyers and Suppliers can now add header level and Item level attachments up to a maximum size of 200 MB, so that large design files can be shared
The RFQ template dropdown now displays only the first 20 saved templates instead of all.
The system now requires at least 1 supplier response by default, so the ‘Minimum Response Needed’ field is now optional and is configurable.
Business Administrators can now add all approvers and stakeholders to RFQ email templates, ensuring they stay informed on progress and milestones.
Business Administrators can now attach a default Supplier Guide on how to submit quotes in RFQs, helping suppliers follow the process easily.
Buyers can now exclude all Statement of Work (SoW) activities like emails and schedules, even if Statement of Work or service items are part of the RFQ.
Sourcing Event
A read-only role for RFIs is now available to have controlled visibility of the RFIs.
Supply Chain Compliance
Compliance
Comments and attachments can now be added to each question and answer in compliance surveys, with the option to make them mandatory or optional.
Compliance Officers can now deactivate Supplier Policy Statements, removing them from supplier acceptance when no longer needed.
Policy Statement
Compliance users now have UI controls to deactivate supplier policies, mirroring the process for organizational policies.
Scorecard
Scorecards now show a tooltip for special questions, explaining how the score is calculated and the maximum possible score.
Surveys
Buyers can complete compliance surveys on behalf of suppliers.
Compliance officers can now amend reminders even after a survey or audit has been published.
Survey and audit lists have been enhanced to display counts of invited suppliers and their response types for better tracking.
Category Management
Category
Scorecards now show a tooltip for special questions, explaining how the score is calculated and the maximum possible score.
Contract Management
Contract Authoring
Contract Authors will now receive email notifications after every approval and signature, ensuring they are informed about the progress of contracts.
