Overview
Vendor Management is where you store the distributors and manufacturers you buy fence parts from. Each vendor record holds contact details. Components in My Components link to one or more vendors with part numbers and costs.
The default vendor on a component drives material cost on quotes and material lists. Bulk pricing tools on this page and in Catalog Tools keep those costs current when suppliers change prices.
Where in the app: Sidebar → Fence → Vendor Management
Open: Vendor Management
How vendors fit in Dirt Face
| Area | Role |
|---|---|
| My Components | Parts catalog; each component can list multiple vendors with costs |
| Vendor Management | Supplier records, preferences, and launch point for pricing tools |
| Catalog Tools | Bulk cost updates, CSV price imports, vendor assignment |
| Purchase Orders | Order parts from a vendor (inventory enabled) |
When you build a fence estimate, Dirt Face pulls material cost from the default vendor on each catalog part. Keeping vendors and costs accurate is as important as building templates.
Vendor Management page
The main screen has four areas:
- Vendor Preferences — Master-catalog vendors auto-assigned when you import templates or warehouse components. See Vendor preferences.
- Vendor table — All vendors with name, address, email, phone, and component count.
- Add New Vendor — Create a supplier record.
- Catalog Tools — Same pricing and import tools available from My Components. See Catalog Tools overview.
Row actions: edit vendor, delete vendor, and view components (package icon).
Key concepts
Default vendor
Each component has one default vendor. Quote and material-list cost comes from that vendor's cost on the part. Change the default on the component's Vendors / Costs tab or with the Vendor Assignment Tool.
Multiple vendors per component
A single part can list several suppliers with different part numbers and costs. Compare options without duplicating the component row.
System vendor
New components start with a System Vendor row until you add real suppliers and set a default. See Vendors and costs on components.
Guides in this section
| Guide | Covers |
|---|---|
| Add and manage vendors | Create, edit, delete vendor records |
| Vendor preferences | Primary vendors for template and warehouse imports |
| View vendor components | Browse parts by supplier; create purchase orders |
| Vendors and costs on components | Vendors / Costs tab on each catalog part |
| Cost Update History | Audit log for Cost Update Wizard runs |
Bulk pricing tools (Catalog Tools)
Open Catalog Tools from Vendor Management or My Components.
| Tool | Use when |
|---|---|
| Cost Update Wizard | Blanket percentage increase or decrease from a supplier |
| Import Vendor Costs (CSV) | Price sheet with SKUs and exact dollar amounts |
| Vendor Cost Import History | Review or troubleshoot a past CSV import |
| Vendor Assignment Tool | Assign or change default vendor on many parts at once |
| Export Catalog to CSV | Backup or spreadsheet copy of My Components |
Import vendor costs and import history require account owner access.
Setup checklist
- Add your main suppliers with Add and manage vendors.
- Set Vendor preferences if you import Dirt Face templates or warehouse parts.
- Link vendors and costs on catalog parts (Vendors and costs on components).
- Set the default vendor on each part you quote regularly.
- When prices change, run Cost Update Wizard or Import Vendor Costs (CSV).
- Run a test estimate and confirm material costs match your latest vendor pricing.