You can use Oracle Sourcing's advanced supplier search facilities to search for suppliers based on a single or a complex combination of search values. Using Sourcing's Supplier Research capabilities, you can search supplier information contained in supplier profiles, the Approved Supplier List, or the history of recent sourcing transactions.
Using Supplier Research
You can use the Supplier Research feature to identify suppliers to add to a negotiation or a reusable invitation list you are creating. You can search for a particular supplier by name or use other search criteria to identify a single supplier or a group of suppliers. As you identify appropriate suppliers, you can add them to an invitation list and then apply the list to the negotiation you are creating. You can also save the list to apply to future negotiations.
You can also conduct in-depth research on recent sourcing transactions that you have conducted with a particular supplier. You can search the supplier's profile, see the supplier's recent transaction history, and view Approved Supplier List or contact information for that supplier. If you have Oracle Daily Business Intelligence implemented, you have access to many additional reports displaying information on that supplier.
Identifying Suppliers
There are several methods you can use when searching for a supplier or group or suppliers. You can use a single search value or a combination of multiple search criteria to tailor your search as broadly or narrowly as needed. You can also combine the multiple search types discussed below:
You can search for a specific supplier by supplier name (including the use of wild cards).
You can search supplier profiles, the Approved Supplier List, and/or recent negotiations history by an item category or a commodity value (A commodity is a group of item categories).
If you search supplier profiles, you see all suppliers whose Products and Services section of their supplier profile indicates that they can provide the item category or commodity.
If you search the Approved Supplier List, you see all supplier who are approved to supply the item or item category.
If you search the Negotiation History, you see all supplier from whom you have recently sourced for the item category or commodity.
When using category or commodity searches in the Approved Supplier List, you get a match on any supplier associated with an item defined to that category, or an item defined to a category that is defined to that commodity.
Note: The time period for which transation information is kept can be defined by the System Administrator.
You can perform complex, detailed searches on Approved Supplier List or Business Classification information.
Approved Supplier List searches are performed within a particular inventory organization. You can search by item name or description. You can search for suppliers with a particular ASL status. You can also search for suppliers who are distributors of a particular manufacturer.
You can search Business Classifications to find suppliers with a particular legal or ownership status.
To search by supplier name:
On the Supplier Research page, enter the name (or initial part of the name) for the supplier in the Supplier Name field and click Search.
To add a supplier or group to a negotiation's invitation list, select the supplier(s) from the search results display and click Add to Invitation List.
To view supplier information, click the supplier name link.
To search a supplier's profile, the Approved Supplier List, or transaction history using a category or commodity:
Select either Commodity or Category.
Enter a commodity or category value, or use the flashlight icon to search for and select a value.
Select any combination of Supplier Profile, Approved Supplier List, and/or Negotiation History.
Click Search.
To search the Approved Supplier List or Business Classifications information:
If the ASL and Business Classifications search fields are not already displayed, click "Show ASL and Business Classifications Criteria."
To search the Approved Supplier List:
Select an inventory organization from the drop down menu.
Enter a search value for one of the ASL search fields, or use the flashlight icon to search for and select a value.
Note: Searching by Item Description displays approved suppliers of any items whose item description includes the text you enter. searching by Manufacturer displays any suppliers who are defined as distributors for that item. Use ASL Status to search for suppliers with a particular status, for example, Approved.
Click Search.
To search by Business Classification
From the drop down menus, select all appropriate search values.
Click Search.
Viewing Supplier Information
Once you have identified a supplier in which you are interested, you can view in-depth information on that supplier by clicking its name link.
Transactions History - The Transactions History entries display summary information on recent sourcing and purchasing transactions you have completed with this supplier. The length of time transactions a retained is set by the Sourcing System Administrator.
Approved Supplier List - The Approved Supplier List table shows all items or item categories this supplier is approved to provide. It also shows whether the supplier is a direct supplier or distributor of the item.
Invitation List - Displays all invitation lists that include this supplier.
Templates - Displays all templates that include this supplier.
Products and Services - Displays the products and services this supplier indicates it can provide.
Business Classifications - Displays all classifications and certifications applicable to the supplier.
Registered Users - Displays the users at that supplier who are registered with Oracle Sourcing.
If you have Oracle Daily Business Intelligence implemented, you have access to the reports listed in the More Information bod in the top right corner of the page. These reports can provide detailed purchasing-related information on recent sourcing transactions conducted with the supplier.