The Yellow Dog Inventory purchasing flow ensures that all aspects of inventory management, from restocking to adjusting errors in transfers, are covered systematically. Each document type in the flow serves specific functions that collectively maintain accurate inventory levels and cost accounting.

Purchasing Flow for F&B Diagram

As mentioned, the Yellow Dog Inventory purchasing flow ensures that all aspects of inventory management, from restocking to adjusting errors in transfers, are covered systematically. Each document type in the flow serves specific functions that collectively maintain accurate inventory levels and cost accounting.

Purchasing Module in Yellow Dog

(Most F&B clients do not use the full purchasing flow. Most will use invoicing and return to vendors. We strongly recommend the full purchasing flow for more detailed reporting, but it is not required.)

1. Requests:

   - This document identifies items that need to be restocked or reordered. It is the first step in the purchasing process where users notice which items require replenishment.

2. Conversion of Requests:

   - Once the request document is committed, it can be converted into either a Purchase Order or a Transfer:

     - A Purchase Order is used for items ordered from vendors that are expected to be delivered.

     - A Transfer moves on-hands from one store to another to fulfill the request immediately.

3. Purchase Order to Receipt or Invoice:

   - Upon committing a Purchase Order, it can be converted into either a Receipt or an Invoice, depending on operational procedures:

     - A Receipt accounts for on-hands coming into the location, primarily updating inventory quantities.

     - If skipping the Receipt and converting directly from a Purchase Order to an Invoice, then the Invoice is where on-hands are added. If a Receipt is used first, the subsequent Invoice will not add on-hands again but will be used primarily to balance costs (like freight, taxes, logo fees, etc.).

4. Transfers:

   - As mentioned, transfers are a way of moving inventory from one store to another. A reverse transfer can also be created to correct any errors by transferring items back to the originating store. Transfers can be created by converting an Invoice into a Transfer.

5. Return to Vendors:

   - This document is used to return products to the vendor. When committed, it reduces the on-hands quantities in your inventory. This document also allows for the accounting of credits and returns related to shipping costs. It also removes any costs associated with those items (freight and tax can be added, as well, if required).

The "Return to Vendors" document is used independently to send products back to the vendor, and it specifically deals with reducing on-hands quantities and managing credits or returns related to shipping costs. This action is generally separate from the initial request to restock or reorder items.