LightSource is the first AI-native sourcing platform built to replace the "chaos" of spreadsheets and emails with a centralized operating system for direct materials. Unlike legacy systems that require months of heavy IT integration before providing value, LightSource is designed for rapid, out-of-the-box deployment. By leveraging AI to ingest flat files and semi-structured data and avoiding having to build a full set of system integrations, you can launch your first sourcing project within a few hours. 

To position your team for a quick start and a successful rapid deployment, here are the actions you would want to take prior to the official kickoff.

1. Assembling Your Internal Team

A rapid deployment is most effective when supported by a dedicated "Launch Team." To ensure decision-making doesn't stall and the platform is socialized correctly, you need to identify the following roles and their estimated time commitments:

• Project Lead (25–40% Time): The primary internal point of contact who drives the deployment timeline, coordinates internal meetings, and serves as the main liaison with the LightSource team.

• Change Management Lead (15–25% Time): Serves as main champion of the platform, owns the internal and supplier communication plan and helps frame LightSource as the "CRM for Procurement," moving the team from "Email Invisibility" to a centralized system of record.

• Sourcing SMEs / Power Users (10–20% Time): A pool of category experts who support design decisions (such as standardizing bid sheets), perform testing on project templates, and provide the necessary data for launch.

• IT Support Person (5–10% Time): Only needed to set-up SSO/SAML configuration and domain whitelisting. Additional help may be needed later on once the integration plan is determined.

2. Strategic Data Preparation

Because LightSource provides value immediately through file uploads rather than deep integrations, your success is driven by the quality of the data prepared during this phase.

• Bid Templates: Gather existing preferred cost breakdowns and quote templates for ingestion. If you don’t have any, you can select from our comprehensive library of pre-configured, category-specific templates. Also capture the additional non-cost criteria you want to include such as tooling life, lead time, and/or ESG scores.

• Map the BOM Hierarchy: For complex assemblies, identify the relationship between top-level assemblies and sub-components. LightSource can ingest nested structures, so gathering this "parent-child" data now is critical.

• Consolidate Technical Specs: Assemble drawings, PDFs, and spec sheets for the items in your first project. LightSource’s AI can analyze these documents, but they must be organized and ready for bulk upload.

• Scrub the Supplier Rolodex: Review your key supplier records for completeness and accuracy. Focusing on the primary contact names, emails, preferred status flags, ESG attributes and pay terms for suppliers to be included in initial project(s) will ensure smooth launch and make it easy for suppliers to participate.

3. Technical & IT Readiness

Clearing technical friction early ensures your team has access on day one and prevents communication delays with suppliers.

• Single Sign-On (SSO): Identify your IT lead for Identity Management. Coordinating with them early to prepare for SAML integration (e.g., Azure AD/Entra or JumpCloud) is recommended. 

• Domain Whitelisting: Work with IT to whitelist notification@lightsource.ai and the lightsource.ai domain. This ensures that vital alerts and supplier invitations do not stall in spam filters.

• Browser Requirements: Confirm that all users have access to modern browsers (Chrome, Edge, or Firefox). For teams in mainland China, please note that the lightsource.cn dedicated access point is available for optimized speed.

Pre-Kickoff Readiness Checklist