Introduction 

In many quoting scenarios, it is important to define which manufacturer or supplier is associated with each product in a quote.

Supplier Assignment in StrataVAR PqW allows you to:

• Assign a manufacturer or supplier at the Quote level
• Ensure consistency across related items
• Automatically propagate supplier values within a Box
• Update specific Master Item fields where applicable

This article explains how Supplier Assignment works, including propagation logic and differences between Standard and Maintenance Quotes.

Where Supplier Assignment Is Performed

Supplier Assignment is accessed from the Quote action menu:

Quote → Dropdown Arrow → Supplier Assignment

This opens the Supplier Assignment Grid.

Understanding How Items Are Structured

Before using Supplier Assignment, it is important to understand how quote items are structured. The window displays all quote items in a structured grid format.

• Quote items are displayed in groups (Boxes).
• Each grey header row represents a Box (Group).
• The first item inside the group is the Major Item.
• Subsequent rows under it are Minor Items.
• The double-arrow icon on the left expands or collapses the group.

This structure helps manage supplier assignments efficiently at group or item level. Following are the key details in the Supplier Assignment window:

• Quote Line Item: Each row represents a Quote Line Item.
• Visible Columns :The grid typically includes the fields such as BoM Line Number, Quote Item, PArt number, Description, Item Type, Price, Quantity, Total List Price, Manufacturer details, Supplier details, Item Category- Major or Minor. 
• Editable Fields: Manufacturer and Supplier fields are editable and used to assign supplier to line items.
• Search and Filtering: Allows you to filter the data when large number of items are present in a single quote.
  • Global Search: At the top of the grid, enter the text in search box to see only the desired data points.
  • Column level filtering: Each column header includes filter capability.
• Grid Actions (Toolbar): The toolbar in the Supplier Assignment window includes the following important functionalities
  • Show Unassigned Items: Displays only items where Manufacturer or Supplier is not assigned.
  • Show All Items: Shows all the items in the quote- Major, Minor, Assigned or Unassigned, Zero value etc.
  • Export: Downloads the grid data (typically Excel format) for offline review.
  • Reload: Refreshes the grid data.
  • Save: Commits changes made in editable fields.
  • Undo/Delete: Cancels unsaved changes.
  • Settings (Admin Controls): Used for administrative grid configurations (visibility, layout, etc.) and visible to only admin or admin like users.

How Supplier Assignment Works (Standard Quote)

When you open the Supplier Assignment Grid in a Standard Quote:

• Only Major Items (Boxes) are displayed
• Minor items with Zero Price are not shown individually
• The minor items in a box that are from different manufacturer 
• Any value assigned to a Major Item automatically propagates to all Minor Items within that box for same Supplier name.

This ensures consistency within bundled or structured products.

Step By Step Process: Assigning a Supplier

Step 1: Open Supplier Assignment Grid

• Navigate to Quote detail tab 
• Select Supplier Assignment in dropdown action menu

• The Supplier Assignment Window Pop Up opens as shown.

Step 2: Identify Items to Assign Supplier

Once the window opens, you can review items in following ways:

• Row by Row Review: Scroll through the grid and manually inspect each item.
• By Group (Box Level): Expand or collapse groups using the double-arrow icon. Review items inside a specific box.

•  Using Global Search to filter by specific text

• Use filters to narrow results on specific field or multiple fields

Step 3: Assign Manufacturer or Supplier

If all items within a box or multiple boxes should have the same supplier:

• Locate the required Box (Grey Header Row) or individual items and select the same using adjacent check boxes.

• In the Supplier column or Manufacturer column of the Major item row, click the lookup field.

• Select the required Supplier from the dropdown

• Click on Apply button to update the Supplier/Manufacturer. The selected rows get highlighted in yellow.

• Click Save button to save the changes or undo button to discard.

• The selected supplier will apply to all selected rows within that group.

Additional Field: Industry Standard Description

The Supplier Assignment Grid may include a field called: Industry Standard Description

Important:

• This is not a Quote Item field
• It belongs to the Master Item

Any value entered here updates the Master Item record

When entered at the Major Item level:

• The value propagates to Minor Items
• The Master Item record is updated accordingly
• This is useful when standardizing product descriptions across quotes.

Standard Quote vs Maintenance Quote Behavior

Standard Quote

• In Standard quote, there are Boxes and only Major items are visible in Supplier Assignment Grid
• Propagation applies (Major → Minor)

Maintenance Quote

• There are No box structure and all items are displayed.
• Since No Major/Minor logic, hence no propagation applies.
• Every item must be assigned individually.

When to Use Supplier Assignment

Use Supplier Assignment when:

• Products can be sourced from multiple manufacturers
• Supplier selection affects procurement or pricing
• You need consistent supplier mapping across bundled items
• You need to update Industry Standard Description at Master Item level

Conclusion

Supplier Assignment in StrataVAR PqW allows controlled and consistent supplier mapping within quotes.

Key Takeaways:

• Standard Quotes use Major/Minor logic
• Assigning at Major level propagates to Minor items
• Maintenance Quotes do not use propagation
• Industry Standard Description updates the Master Item

Proper supplier assignment ensures accurate sourcing, consistent documentation, and reliable downstream processing.