The optional Multi-Vendor Catalog module of EBMS is used primarily to manufacture products or create assemblies to distribute or sell. The amount of inventory items are increased using the manufacturing process rather than by purchasing items through an expense invoice. This module should be used in the following situations:
The Multiple Vendor Catalog module is an EBMS add-on that allows the user to view or select parts or products from a vendor supplied product list or file. This module includes many powerful features that allow the user to accomplish the following:
The user can view information from multiple vendors, with varied file formats, from a common interface without adding all the parts into the EBMS inventory system.
The vendor supplied parts information can be viewed or selected from within EBMS using the inventory list dialog. This allows the user to select a product from a vendor supplied list from within an EBMS invoice.
Product information can be copied into the EBMS inventory database without retyping descriptions, costs, and other details from the vendor's product list.
List pricing, unit costs, UPC codes, and other information can be updated directly from a list or file supplied by a vendor.
Vendors distribute their product information in a variety of file formats with a variation of product information. Organizing and viewing this valuable information with a common interface can save a lot of time and frustration. Not only can this information be viewed from within EBMS, but the information can directly update inventory items within EBMS.
The following file formats are recommended:
Dbase II, III, IV or FoxPro - *.DBF (No conversion required)
Converted by MS Excel
Excel - *.XLS
Comma delimited - *.CSV
Text (Tab delimited & fixed width) - *.TXT
Data interchange - *.DIF
Lotus 123 *.WKS, *.WK1, *.WK3, *.WK4
Refer to the Mulit_Vendor Catalog > Adding a New Vendor Catalog > Creating an EBMS Compatible File Using MS Excel
This module simplifies inventory management within EBMS since only selected items are imported into the EBMS inventory list. This minimizes clutter within the user's product list.
This Multiple Vendor Catalog module can also be used to update the EBMS inventory file with new pricing based on a specific date. Export the current price list into MS Excel and then import back into EBMS at the time the changes are required.