What are Items in Supplier Management Pro?
Items are the ingredients, packaging materials, etc. that you purchase from suppliers. Supplier Management Pro gives users the ability to associate items to their suppliers in order to manage and monitor the appropriate documents being exchanged.
Why Add Your Items?
Adding items significantly enhances the data you can collect from your suppliers while also providing an overview of your supply chain. With items added, you can send requests to suppliers for item-level documents like Certifications and Specification Sheets that support both R&D and compliance.
How to Add Items in Supplier Management Pro
Add Items Individually
Step 1: Select ‘+New Item’
Step 2: Complete the following fields:
- Item ID
- Item Name
- Item Description
Step 3: Select ‘Add Item’
The new item will then be available in your Items dashboard.
Items must be associated with a supplier in order to generate document requests.
Add Multiple Items at Once
Step 1: On the Items tab of Supplier Management Pro, select ‘Actions’
Step 2: Download the Excel template for uploading by selecting ‘Get Excel Template’
Step 3: Import your item grid and format as necessary to the downloaded template. Save your work.
Step 4: From the Actions dropdown, select ‘Upload Items.’ Choose the Excel file you just completed.
Once uploaded, the items will be available in your Items dashboard.
How to Associate Items to Suppliers in Supplier Management Pro
For a seamless document exchange process, it is recommended to add items to suppliers promptly after initiating the supplier connections. This way, suppliers can respond to both location and item level connection requests at once and start to fulfill document requests based on your requirements. There are two main ways to add items to supplies, detailed in the steps below.
Associate items directly to Supplier Listings
This is most efficient when you purchase multiple items from an individual supplier.
Step 1: From the Suppliers tab, select a supplier ID
Step 2: Select the Items sub-tab
Step 3: Select ‘Add Items’
Option 1: Add Existing (Recommended)
Search your existing data to locate and select the items that you purchase from this supplier. Once all relevant items are located and selected, select ‘Add Items.’ The item(s) and supplier(s) are now associated with each other in your system.
Option 2: Create New
If your item doesn’t exist in the system or on the network, you will need to create the item record from scratch. Select ‘Create New’ and fill out all required information. When complete, select ‘Add Item.’ The item(s) and supplier are now associated with each other in your system.
Option 3: Add from Network
Choose this option to check if the items you purchase from this supplier are already available on the network. Type the name of your supplier, select the search icon, and select their name if it appears. Scroll or search among the suppliers available items and select “Connect” for any items you purchase. Then Click “Add items” to send item connections and requests to that supplier.
Associate Suppliers via Item Listings
This may be an effective method if you purchase many items that each have multiple alternative suppliers.
Step 1: Select the Item ID of one item.
Step 2: Select the Suppliers sub-tab
Step 3: Select ‘Add Suppliers’
Option 1: Add Existing (Recommended)
Search your existing data to locate and select the supplier(s) associated with your item(s). Once all relevant suppliers are located and selected, select ‘Add Suppliers.’ The item(s) and supplier(s) are now associated with each other in your system.
Option 2: Create New
If your supplier is not yet active on the TraceGains Network, you will need to create a supplier instance from scratch. Select ‘Create New’ and fill out all required information. When complete, select ‘Create Supplier.’ The item(s) and supplier are now associated with each other in your system.
Option 3: Add from Network
Choose this option to check if your supplier is on the network but you are not yet connected to each other. Type the name of your supplier, select the search icon, and select their name if it appears. Select ‘Next,’ choose the appropriate location, then select ‘Connect.’