The Contextual Side Panel enhances the purchasing experience within the Purchasing Module by providing essential information during the Item Review step of the Purchase Order (PO) flow.
Overview
The Contextual Side Panel is located on the right side of the screen and is collapsed by default for a clean workspace. When you first access it, the panel shows an overview of your Purchase Order data. However, clicking on any item will update the panel to display relevant details specific to that item, enabling quick and informed purchasing decisions. This dual functionality ensures you have easy access to both the overall PO status and the specific information you need for individual item decisions.
The Contextual Side Panel in the Purchasing module displays two types of information: item-specific details and Purchase Order (PO) overview. This dual functionality enables users to access essential data quickly, ensuring informed decision-making throughout the purchasing process.
Item-Specific Information
When looking at item-level data, the Contextual Side Panel provides critical, item-specific data within the PO flow, helping users make well-informed purchasing decisions without having to navigate away from the current screen. This ensures efficient decision-making, reduces errors, and enhances workflow speed. Information displayed includes but is not limited to:
Lead Time & Unit Cost: Understand how long it takes to receive items and their costs.
Usage & Sales History: Review past sales trends and item usage to make better predictions.
Units of Measure: See how items are measured to ensure accurate ordering.
Relevant Notes: Access item and supplier notes to inform your decisions. Learn more about item and supplier notes here.
Location & Stock Levels: Check stock availability across locations.
Min/Max Levels: View current and recommended minimum and maximum stock levels.
💡 For a seamless workflow, you can accept or override Min/Max values by clicking "Edit" under the Min/Max button - without having to navigate back to the Planning screen.
PO Overview
Clicking on an empty area of the screen reveals the PO overview. This summary allows you to track the overall status of your orders and make strategic purchasing decisions. Information displayed includes but is not limited to:
Supplier & Location: Quick reference for where the order is going.
Progress to Target: Visual representation of how close you are to meeting your purchase targets (in dollars).
Total Cost & Lines: Summary of the total cost and number of line items in the PO.
Inventory Status Chart: Displays the status of all items being ordered, indicating whether they are normal, overstock, or understock.
Supplier Notes: Find relevant notes related to suppliers, ensuring you have all necessary information before finalizing your PO.
Conclusion
The Contextual Side Panel streamlines the purchasing process by providing quick access to vital information, helping you make informed decisions efficiently. Whether you're focused on specific items or reviewing the overall PO, this feature ensures you have the insights you need to optimize your purchasing strategy.