How to use alternate vendors in QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions

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

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

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

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

How to view vendor items

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

1. Select Vendors.
2. Select Vendor Center.
3. Select the vendor, then select the Items tab.

How to upload a vendor price list

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

1. Select Vendors.
2. Select Vendor Center.
3. Select the Items tab.
4. Select Excel, then select Import from excel.

How to assign alternate vendors for inventory

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

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

How to compare vendors

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

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