vendoronly

Vendoronly is a term used to describe content, access, or functionality that is restricted to vendors or vendor-related contexts. It is not a formal standard term, and its exact meaning varies by domain.

In commerce and events, a vendor-only zone or event restricts attendance to registered suppliers, exhibitors, or vendor staff. Such restrictions aim to facilitate business-to-business interactions, protect sensitive product information, or ensure compliance with contractual terms. Examples include private vendor briefings, exclusive show floors, and procurement fairs that prioritize supplier engagement.

In software and information technology, vendoronly can refer to modes, channels, or configurations that permit only vendor-provided components, services, or credentials. For example, a vendor-only update channel would distribute patches exclusively from the software vendor, excluding community or third-party repos. Architecturally, vendor-only approaches can improve consistency and supply-chain integrity but may reduce extensibility and increase dependency on a single provider.

In broader use, the term may describe any access control or policy that allows only vendors to perform certain actions, such as submitting offers, accessing sensitive data, or participating in negotiations.

Because "vendoronly" is informal, people may encounter it with varying scope. When used in documentation, it usually clarifies that a privilege, area, or resource is not open to the general user base.

See also: vendor lock-in, supply chain security, partner portal, exclusive access.