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Module: FM-03 Vendor Management
Audience: Facilities Managers, Org Admins, FM Administrators
Last Updated: 2025-12-07

Overview

This guide covers administrative tasks for the Vendor Management module, including vendor setup, certification tracking, performance monitoring, and integration with work orders and accounts payable.

Initial Setup

1. Configure Module Settings

Before adding vendors, configure module-level settings:
  1. Navigate to Facilities → Settings → Vendors
  2. Configure:
    • Require Vendor Certification: Whether certifications are required for work order assignment
    • Default Certification Alert Days: When to alert before expiration (default: 90, 60, 30)
    • Vendor Approval Required: Whether new vendors need approval
    • Preferred Vendor Limit Per Category: Maximum preferred vendors per service category

2. Create Vendors

To add a new vendor:
  1. Navigate to Facilities → Vendors
  2. Click Add Vendor
  3. Enter required fields:
    • Company Name: Vendor’s legal business name
    • Vendor Category: Primary service type
  4. Enter contact information:
    • Primary Contact Name
    • Phone Number
    • Email Address
    • Business Address
  5. Enter optional fields:
    • Hourly Rate: Standard billing rate
    • Tax ID (EIN/SSN): For 1099 reporting
    • Notes: Additional information
  6. Click Add Vendor
Note: New vendors start with “Pending Approval” status if approval workflow is enabled.

3. Assign Service Sites

Link vendors to specific sites they can service:
  1. Open the vendor detail page
  2. Go to the Sites tab
  3. Click Add Site
  4. Select the site(s) the vendor services
  5. Optionally mark as Preferred Vendor for that site
  6. Click Save

4. Add Certifications

Track vendor compliance documents:
  1. Open the vendor detail page
  2. Go to the Certifications tab
  3. Click Add Certification
  4. Enter:
    • Certification Type: COI, License, Bonding, or Other
    • Certification Name: Specific name (e.g., “General Liability Insurance”)
    • Certificate Number (optional)
    • Issuing Authority (optional)
    • Effective Date
    • Expiration Date
    • Coverage Amount (for insurance)
  5. Upload the certificate document (optional)
  6. Click Save

Vendor Categories

The system supports these service categories:
CategoryCommon Services
PlumbingPipe repair, drain cleaning, fixture installation
ElectricalWiring, panel upgrades, lighting
HVACHeating, cooling, ventilation, refrigeration
JanitorialCleaning, floor care, waste management
LandscapingLawn care, tree service, irrigation
SecurityAlarm systems, access control, guards
General ContractorConstruction, renovation, multi-trade
OtherSpecialty services not listed above

Certification Management

Certification Types

TypeDescriptionCommon Documents
COICertificate of InsuranceGeneral liability, workers comp, auto
LicenseProfessional/trade licenseContractor license, electrical license
BondingSurety bondPayment bond, performance bond
OtherAdditional requirementsW-9, service agreements

Expiration Alerts

The system monitors certification expiration dates:
Alert LevelDays Before ExpirationAction
90-day90 daysInformational alert
60-day60 daysWarning alert
30-day30 daysUrgent alert
ExpiredPast dueCritical alert, may block assignment

Edge Function: Automated Checks

The check-vendor-certifications edge function runs daily to:
  • Update certification alert flags
  • Mark expired certifications
  • Generate notifications for upcoming expirations

Performance Tracking

Performance Metrics

The system automatically tracks:
MetricCalculation
Total Work OrdersCount of assigned work orders
Completion RateCompleted / Total assigned
Avg Completion TimeAverage days from assignment to completion
On-Time RateCompleted by due date / Total completed
Satisfaction RatingAverage of work order ratings (1-5)

Viewing Performance

  1. Open the vendor detail page
  2. Go to the Performance tab
  3. View:
    • Current metrics summary
    • Trend charts over time
    • Work order history

Using Performance Data

  • Preferred Vendor Selection: Use metrics to identify top performers
  • Vendor Reviews: Schedule reviews with low-performing vendors
  • Rate Negotiations: Use data to justify rate discussions

Work Order Integration

Assigning Vendors

When assigning vendors to work orders:
  1. The system validates:
    • Vendor is active
    • Vendor is approved (if required)
    • Vendor has valid certifications (if required)
    • Vendor serves the work order site
  2. If validation fails, the assignment is blocked with a clear message

Assignment Workflow

Pending → Accepted → In Progress → Completed → Invoiced → Paid

              Declined

Tracking Vendor Assignments

The fm_vendor_work_orders table tracks:
  • Assignment status and dates
  • Quote information
  • Scheduled work date
  • Actual start/end times
  • Invoice and payment status

Tax & Payment Information

Tax ID Management

For 1099 reporting, vendors can store:
  • EIN (Employer Identification Number): XX-XXXXXXX
  • SSN (Social Security Number): XXX-XX-XXXX
Security:
  • Tax IDs are masked in the UI (showing only last 4 digits)
  • Full access requires appropriate permissions
  • Data is encrypted at rest

Payment Tracking

Each vendor assignment tracks:
  • Quote Amount: Initial estimate
  • Invoice Number: Vendor’s invoice reference
  • Invoice Amount: Actual billed amount
  • Invoice Date: Date invoice received
  • Payment Status: Pending, Approved, Paid
  • Payment Date: When payment was processed

Security & Access Control

Role-Based Permissions

RoleView VendorsAssign to WOCreate/EditManage Settings
Platform Admin
Org Admin
FM Admin
Facilities Manager
Staff
View Only

Multi-Tenant Isolation

  • Vendors are organization-specific
  • RLS policies enforce organization boundaries
  • No cross-organization vendor access

Audit Trail

All changes are tracked:
  • Created by / created at
  • Updated by / updated at
  • Certification changes logged
  • Assignment status changes logged

Integration with Other Modules

Work Orders (FM-01)

  • Vendors assigned to work orders via fm_vendor_work_orders
  • Work order costs include vendor costs
  • Vendor performance updated on work order completion

Inventory (FM-02) - Future

  • Link vendors as preferred suppliers for inventory items
  • Vendor catalogs with item pricing
  • Automatic vendor selection for reorders

Accounts Payable (FA-03) - Future

  • Vendor invoices flow to AP for processing
  • 3-way match: Work order ↔ Invoice ↔ Payment
  • Vendor payment terms and discounts

Purchase Orders (FA-04) - Future

  • Create POs for vendor work
  • Track vendor quotes vs actuals
  • Vendor contract pricing

Module Settings Reference

SettingDescriptionDefault
require_vendor_certificationBlock assignment if certifications expiredtrue
certification_alert_daysDays before expiration to alert[90, 60, 30]
vendor_approval_requiredNew vendors need approvaltrue
max_preferred_per_categoryLimit preferred vendors3
auto_update_performanceUpdate metrics on WO completiontrue

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Cannot assign vendor to work order
  1. Check vendor status is Active
  2. Check vendor is Approved
  3. Check certifications are valid
  4. Verify vendor serves the work order’s site
Certification alerts not sending
  1. Verify notification settings
  2. Check edge function is running
  3. Confirm expiration dates are set correctly
Performance metrics not updating
  1. Ensure work orders are marked as completed
  2. Check trigger function is enabled
  3. Manually trigger recalculation if needed
Tax ID validation errors
  1. EIN format: XX-XXXXXXX or XXXXXXXXX
  2. SSN format: XXX-XX-XXXX or XXXXXXXXX
  3. Remove extra spaces or special characters

Best Practices

  1. Regular Reviews: Review vendor certifications monthly
  2. Performance Monitoring: Check low performers quarterly
  3. Documentation: Keep digital copies of all certifications
  4. Site Assignment: Keep vendor-site mappings current
  5. Preferred Vendors: Limit to top 2-3 per category
  6. Tax Documentation: Collect W-9 before first payment
  7. Contact Updates: Verify contact info annually

Need Help?

  • Technical Issues: Contact system administrator
  • Process Questions: Contact Facilities Manager
  • Feature Requests: Submit through feedback system