PurchaseFrom

PurchaseFrom is a field used in procurement and inventory systems to specify the supplier from whom a product or component should be purchased. It may be stored as a supplier identifier, a code, or a link to a supplier record. In some systems, PurchaseFrom is synonymous with the preferred supplier for an item.

The PurchaseFrom field guides procurement workflow by determining which supplier a purchase order should be sent to and by informing pricing, lead times, and terms used in ordering. For single-supplier organizations it acts as the default source; in multi-sourcing environments it can denote the preferred supplier or be resolved by rules based on volume, cost, or availability.

In many ERP and inventory systems, each item record includes a PurchaseFrom reference. When stock is reordered, the system can auto-generate a purchase order to the indicated supplier, apply their standard terms, and track performance. The value can often be overridden at the requisition or PO level to accommodate exceptions.

Implementation varies: a static supplier ID, a relational link to a supplier table, or a set of conditional rules. Some configurations maintain a separate list of alternative suppliers with associated lead times and costs, with a primary PurchaseFrom used for routine orders.

Data quality is important. The supplier must be active, contact details up to date, and lead times accurate. When suppliers change, records should be updated to prevent misrouted orders. Audit trails help verify sourcing decisions.

See also: supplier, vendor management, procurement, purchase order, sourcing.