# 2026-05-08: Partner Library: Product Substitution

## Overview

With Product Substitution, buyers get support directly in the cart when an order looks risky. If a product is likely to be delayed or backordered, the system can detect that early in the buying process and suggest alternative products before the order becomes a service issue.

The goal is simple: keep orders moving, reduce avoidable backorders, and help buyers make better decisions in the moment. Instead of relying on sales or customer service to fix the issue later, the system can react immediately and offer relevant alternatives right where the purchase decision happens.

## New features

| Feature                                            | Benefit                                                                                                                               |
| -------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Risk detection during cart creation**            | This allows your company to react before a risky order is placed, reducing delayed orders, cancellations, and revenue leakage.        |
| **Substitution lookup for risky products**         | This gives your buyers a practical path forward instead of hitting a dead end, helping protect conversion and order continuity.       |
| **Integration with external risk intelligence**    | You can bring operational or supply risk intelligence directly into the buying journey and make more informed substitution decisions. |
| **AI Agent for automated product recommendations** | Improves your product discoverability and gives buyers faster access to in-stock alternatives.                                        |

## Fixes and improvements

None as this is a new feature.

## Known problems

No known problems at time of release.

## Documentation and links

Partner Library:

* [Product Substitution](/partner-library/emporix-components/product-substitution.md)


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