How to use alternate suppliers in QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions

Learn how to compare alternate suppliers in QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 20.0.

If you’re working with multiple suppliers, keeping track of things like pricing or lead times can be tricky. Depending on the suppliers you use, these can also vary between them.

Using alternate suppliers makes it easy to match your suppliers items with your inventory. When it’s time to make a purchase, you can easily compare and choose which supplier to purchase from at any given time.

Note: To use alternate suppliers, you’ll need to turn on Advanced Inventory for QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions (QBES).

How to view supplier items

The supplier item list has the details of all inventory and non-inventory purchases from suppliers in the last 12 months. This includes the purchase price, purchase date, and quantity.

1. Select Suppliers.
2. Select Supplier Centre.
3. Select the supplier, then select the Items tab.

How to upload a supplier price list

If you’re working with a new supplier, you can import their price list. The price list can include the item pricing, lead time, unit of measure, and part numbers.

1. Select Suppliers.
2. Select Supplier Centre.
3. Select the Items tab.
4. Select Excel, then select Import from excel.

How to assign alternate suppliers for inventory

You can assign up to 4 alternate suppliers to display for an inventory item. When you create a purchase order, this makes it easy to see the preferred suppliers for specific items.

1. Select Lists.
2. Select Item list.
3. Choose an inventory item, then select Edit item.
4. Select Manage suppliers, then assign the suppliers to inventory items.

How to compare suppliers

When it’s time to purchase inventory, you can compare alternate suppliers along with your preferred supplier.

1. Create a purchase order and add at least 2 items.
2. Select an inventory item, then select the Compare supplier icon. This will show your supplier price lists and all suppliers you’ve purchased from in the last 12 months.
3. Select a supplier, then select View Supplier Price.
4. Choose to view the amount of the last purchase order or the price you imported from the supplier.
5. Repeat step 3 if you’d like to see the total purchase order amount if you used a different supplier.