A complete guide to use alternate vendors in QuickBooks enterprise solutions
When you are working with multiple vendors, it becomes essential to keep a track of things such as pricing or lead times and this can be tricky. Not just that, but this might vary from vendors to vendors. Thus, the option of using alternate vendors can be a quick and easy solution for this issue. Using alternate vendors makes it way easier for you to match your vendors items with the inventory. While purchase, you can simply compare and opt the vendor to purchase from at any given time.
Note: It should be noted that, in order to use alternate vendors, you would require to turn on the advanced inventory feature in QuickBooks enterprise solutions. This feature is only available in certain editions (like Platinum, Gold, and Diamond)
In this segment, we have tried to help you with how to use alternate vendors in QuickBooks enterprise solutions. To get a better understanding about it, make sure that you keep scrolling the segment till the end. Or you can also get in touch with our professionals, and they will help you out in carrying out the process without any sort of error.
Steps to view vendor items
Well, the vendor item list carries the details of all inventory and non-inventory purchases from vendors in the last 12 months. This further includes the purchase date, price, as well as the quantity. All you have to do is to continue with the steps below:
- You need to first go for Vendors.
- Furthermore, select the Vendor center.

- Now, go for the Vendor and then opt for the Items tab.
Steps to upload a vendor price list
In case you are working with a new vendor, then you can simply import their price list. This can include the item pricing, lead time, unit of measure, and also the part number.
- Here, you need to choose Vendors.
- Further, select the Vendor center.
- Also, choose Items tab.
- Now, go for Excel and later choose Import from excel.
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How to Assign Alternate Vendors for Inventory?
Under this section, you should ne noted that you can assign up to 4 alternate vendors so as to display for an inventory item. And when you make a purchase order, it makes it simple to see the preferred vendors for specific items. You need to continue with the steps ahead for assigning alternate vendors for inventory.
- At first you need to go to the Lists.
- Then, select Item list.

- And then, go for Inventory item and then select the Edit item. (Double-click the item you want to edit.)
- Also, choose Manage vendors and then assign the Vendors to inventory items.
- In last, save your changes.
Steps to compare vendors
In the last step, you can simply compare alternate vendors with the preferred vendor at the time of inventory purchase. You need to continue with the steps ahead and begin the comparison:
- Create a Purchase order and Add minimum two items.
- Select an Inventory item and then choose Compare vendor icon.
- This will show your vendor price lists and all vendors that you have purchased from in the last 12 months.
- You now have to select a Vendor and then go for View vendor prices.
- The next step is to choose View the amount associated with the last purchase order or the price you imported from the vendor.
- Carry out the third step in order to see the total purchase order amount in case you used a different vendor.
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Conclusion!
As you reach the end of this particular segment, we expect that the above provided step-by-step process for using alternate vendors in QuickBooks Enterprise solutions become way easier. However, if you still have some doubts that are to be addressed, then reaching out to our technical experts at 1-800-761-1787 would definitely work for you. Our technicians would ensure to help you with your queries within no time. Do not hesitate in connecting with QuickBooks support team, as QuickBooks enterprise can be a technical software for you to handle.
FAQs
1. Compare prices and lead times for the same item from different vendors.
2. Easily switch suppliers if your preferred vendor is out of stock or has higher prices.
3. Keep all vendor details organized in one place for each item.
4. Follow up by choosing the correct vendor from the list.
5. Make smarter purchasing decisions by seeing all options at a glance.
Yes! You can track pricing and terms that are specific to alternate vendors in enterprise solutions.
Yes! You can run reports on purchases made from alternate vendors in QBES.
You can assign one preferred vendor and up to four alternate vendors for each inventory item. This helps you have several backup options for purchasing the same item
No, the Alternate Vendors feature only works for inventory parts. It does not support services or other item types.
Make sure:
1. You are using a supported version of QuickBooks Enterprise (Platinum, Gold, or Diamond).
2. The Advanced Inventory feature is turned on.
3. You are working with inventory parts, not services or other item types.
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