Suppliers¶
Suppliers (also known as vendors) represent the companies you purchase software, services, and support from. Link suppliers to applications, contracts, and OPEX items to track vendor relationships across your IT portfolio.
Getting started¶
Navigate to Master Data → Suppliers to see your vendor directory. Click New to create your first entry.
Required fields: - Name: The supplier/vendor name
Optional but useful: - ERP Supplier ID: Reference ID from your ERP or procurement system - Notes: Additional information about the vendor relationship
Tip: Create suppliers before adding applications or contracts—you'll be able to link them during creation.
Working with the list¶
The Suppliers grid provides a directory of all your vendors.
Default columns: - Name: Supplier name (click to open workspace) - ERP Supplier ID: Reference ID from external systems - Status: Enabled or Disabled
Additional columns (via column chooser): - Notes: Additional information - Created: When the record was created
Default sort: By name (alphabetical).
Status scope: Use the Enabled/Disabled/All toggle to filter by status.
Actions:
- New: Create a new supplier (requires suppliers:manager)
- Import CSV: Bulk import suppliers (requires suppliers:admin)
- Export CSV: Export to CSV (requires suppliers:admin)
- Delete Selected: Remove selected suppliers (requires suppliers:admin)
The Suppliers workspace¶
Click any row to open the workspace. It has two tabs:
Overview¶
The Overview tab captures the supplier's identity.
What you can edit: - Name: Supplier/vendor name - ERP Supplier ID: Reference ID from your procurement or ERP system - Status: Enabled or Disabled - Notes: Free-form notes about the vendor
Contacts¶
The Contacts tab shows all contacts linked to this supplier.
What you'll see: - List of contacts associated with this supplier - Each contact's name, job title, email, and phone numbers
How it works: - Contacts are linked to suppliers via the Contact's "Supplier" field - Add new contacts from the Contacts page, selecting this supplier - Or use the quick-add button to create a contact directly
Tip: Keep at least one primary contact per supplier for easy vendor communication.
Where suppliers are used¶
Suppliers are referenced throughout CIO Assistant:
Applications¶
In the Apps & Services workspace, the Overview tab has a Vendor field linking to suppliers.
Contracts¶
Each contract has a Supplier field identifying the vendor party.
OPEX Items¶
Recurring costs can be linked to suppliers for vendor spend analysis.
CSV import/export¶
Manage suppliers in bulk using CSV.
Export: Downloads all suppliers with their details.
Import: - Use Preflight to validate before applying - Matched by supplier name - Can create new suppliers or update existing ones
Required fields: Name
Optional fields: ERP Supplier ID, Notes, Status
Notes: - Use UTF-8 encoding and semicolons as separators - Consider importing suppliers before importing applications or contracts that reference them
Tips¶
- Be consistent with naming: Use official vendor names (e.g., "Microsoft Corporation" not "MS" or "MSFT").
- Add ERP IDs: If you have an ERP system, add the supplier ID for easy cross-reference.
- Disable don't delete: When you stop working with a vendor, disable them to preserve historical data.
- Maintain contacts: Keep the Contacts tab updated with current vendor representatives.
- Create before linking: Add suppliers to master data before creating applications or contracts that reference them.