If the need for externally supplied materials should arise within your enterprise, the specific requirements are converted into purchase requisitions – either manually or automatically (through the MRP runs).

If the sources from which to procure the materials automatically (within the framework of optimized purchasing) can not be found, further system support in selecting vendors is available to users in the shape of the RFQ/quotation processing functionality. This enables the purchasing entity to implement a closed competitive bidding procedure. In such a procedure, any number of potential suppliers can be requested to submit quotations. These quotations are then entered in the system, after which a price comparison is carried out.

After this, it is possible to generate the corresponding purchase orders (to be issued to the selected vendors) quickly and straightforwardly direct from the RFQs, to thus initiate the actual external procurement process. Unfavorable bids can be rejected.

In the following process, 100 PCs, type Maxitec R 375 Persona (material number R-1000), are to be manufactured in plant 1200 (Dresden). The MRP run has determined a need for various components of which no stocks are currently available. The components involved are as follows: R-1150 (3.5" diskette drive), R-1160 (4.3GB hard disk), and R-1170 (Slimline PC case).

The purchase requisitions are to be created manually.