The Coupa R44 release brings a mix of platform-wide enhancements, procurement efficiencies, and critical security updates that every administrator and power user needs to know. Want to explore all things R44 in more detail? Watch our recent webinar.
And for more information on some of the key changes in R44, CrossCountry Consulting’s Coupa implementation and transformation experts have distilled several to focus on:
Key Dates and Release Waves
Coupa has structured the R44 rollout across three specific waves for production environments.
Production Release Schedule:
- Wave 1: January 16, 2026
- Wave 2: January 23, 2026
- Wave 3: February 6, 2026
Understanding this schedule is vital for ensuring your team has adequate time to test new features in sandboxes before they hit live environments. For enterprise clients with Premier support, Wave Zero (December 8, 2025) offers an early preview in test environments. This “early access” group helps vet features before broader release. For most organizations, however, we recommend targeting Wave 1 for test environments and Wave 3 for production. This strategy provides the longest runway to validate workflows and troubleshoot any potential issues before they impact daily operations.
Maintenance and Daily Updates
Beyond the major release waves, Coupa is more aggressively including features in its maintenance updates. These updates, occurring every two weeks after a major release, often include smaller but impactful features. Additionally, daily updates provide regular bug fixes.
To stay on top of these frequent changes, ensure your user record has the Upgrade Administrator role assigned. This role guarantees you receive direct notifications from the environment regarding when these specific updates will land, complete with links to detailed release notes.
GPG File Transfer Encryption Cipher Deprecation
Security remains a top priority in R44. A critical update in this release involves the deprecation of older, less secure encryption ciphers for GPG file transfers. Starting with the January 2026 release, Coupa will exclusively support AES256 or stronger ciphers.
Why this matters: This change specifically impacts file-based integrations. If your organization relies on older encryption methods for exchanging files with Coupa, those integrations may fail if not updated. Note that this generally does not affect corporate card integrations (like Visa or Mastercard), as those providers typically already adhere to higher security standards. However, for other custom file-based integrations, it’s imperative to verify your encryption settings now to avoid service disruptions.
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Multi-Factor Authentication Support
As part of Coupa’s rollout of the Coupa Identity Provider, R44 introduces support for Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for users logging in via username and password (Non SSO/SAML login).
While this rollout is managed and currently limited to a small number of customers, it signals a broader shift toward tighter security protocols. Once enabled, users accessing the platform directly will be required to enroll in MFA using applications like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator. This is distinct from the step-up authentication used for high-risk actions (like changing payment details) and focuses specifically on the initial login process.
Procurement and CSP Enhancements
R44 isn’t just about backend maintenance. It also delivers tangible improvements for procurement teams and suppliers.
Workbench Tasks
New tasks in the Unified Workbench bring visibility to issues that previously required digging into specific tables. You can now resolve Purchase Order transmission failures (both email and cXML) and cXML ASN errors directly from the Workbench. This centralization streamlines troubleshooting and ensures critical documents don’t get stuck in limbo.
AI Suggestions for Requisitions
Building on R43, R44 enhances the “Pending Buyer Action” stage. When enabled, AI can suggest missing field values, such as commodity or contract, based on historical data. This allows buyers to apply updates individually or in bulk, significantly speeding up the requisition approval process without consuming AI credits.
Supplier Portal Controls
For suppliers, R44 introduces tighter controls within the Coupa Supplier Portal (CSP). New permissions allow supplier admins to restrict who can manage payment methods. Additionally, the “Remit-To Address” has been removed as a standalone payment method option during onboarding, forcing a cleaner data structure under Legal Entities. This change reduces confusion and prevents the creation of duplicate or erroneous remit-to records.
Stay Informed
With the pace of updates increasing, proactive management is key.
- Check your wave: If you’re unsure which wave your production environment is assigned to, open a ticket with Coupa support.
- Review integrations: Audit your file-based integrations for compliance with the new encryption standards.
- Enable key features: Many enhancements, such as the Workbench tasks and AI suggestions, are “opt-in” and require configuration in the Company Information setup.
A proactive approach today will prevent disruptions and unlock the full potential of the new release. For hands-on Coupa expertise and maximum value from R44, contact CrossCountry Consulting.