Akeneo Supplier Data Manager (SDM) releases some features as early access before they become generally available. This article explains what early access means, how participation works, and what to expect.

What is early access in Supplier Data Manager?

Early access features in Supplier Data Manager are features that Akeneo makes available to a subset of customers before full release. Releasing incrementally lets Akeneo collect real-world feedback, validate a feature's value, and iterate quickly.

There are several reasons Akeneo uses early access:

• To collect usage data before a public launch, enabling stronger launch materials and customer success stories.
• To validate whether a feature meets real-world needs before committing to its full product lifecycle and ongoing maintenance.
• To iterate rapidly when the best way to deliver a feature is still being refined, without requiring documentation rewrites at each change.
• To evaluate product/market fit for features with significant maintenance costs before a full release.

If the feature proves valuable, it is fully released and supported with documentation, training, and technical support.

How does early access work in Supplier Data Manager?

There are two types of early access programs in Supplier Data Manager:

• Open early access: The feature is labeled in the product so you can identify it. Any eligible customer can try it.
• Closed early access: Akeneo recruits specific customers to participate. Reach out to your Akeneo contact if you're interested in joining.

To help validate whether an early access program is successful, Akeneo needs feedback. If you are using an early access feature, Akeneo may contact you to understand your experience.

What should I expect from early access features?

Early access features in Supplier Data Manager are experimental and subject to change or removal at Akeneo's discretion.

Support: Early access features do not have the same level of support as generally available features. Documentation, training, and product support are limited during this period.

Changes: Features may change significantly based on feedback, including configuration options and behaviors, without prior notice.

Data: If an early access feature is discontinued, any configurations or data created during the early access period may not be retrievable. Akeneo commits to using that data only to evaluate and improve Supplier Data Manager — not for any other purpose.

Removal: If Akeneo determines a feature will not proceed to general availability, access to that feature may be removed, including any associated configurations or data created during the early access period.