Purchase Orders (POs)
The Purchase Orders (POs) module is where all orders to suppliers are managed in FTS. You can create new purchase orders, review open or past orders, approve pending orders, export, or reverse receipts.
Also known as: POs, Supplier Orders
Types of Purchase Orders
FTS supports three types of purchase orders:
- Manual PO: Create anytime, for any item, directly from the Purchase Orders module.
- Automatic PO: Runs automatically on a schedule based on min/max requirements. Sent directly to the supplier without review.
- Unapproved PO: Runs automatically, but requires manual approval before sending. If not approved in time, it expires.
Note: Do not confuse Unapproved POs with draft POs.
- A draft PO is created when you uncheck the Approved box while creating a PO. Draft POs are incomplete orders, not tied to the approval workflow.
- The PO Approval Process workflow applies only to Approved POs and must be completed before the PO is sent to the supplier.
Approval Process
Purchase Orders can optionally use an Approval Process:
- Create a chain of approvers.
- Apply spending limits per person.
- Require final approval before sending to supplier.
See Purchase Order Approval Process.
Common Tasks
FAQ
What’s the difference between Automatic and Unapproved POs?
- Automatic PO: Sent directly to the supplier as soon as it runs.
- Unapproved PO: Requires manual approval first; if not approved, it expires.
Can I run POs for a single station?
Yes. When creating an Auto or Manual PO, you can select All Stations or a single station.
Can I export POs for recordkeeping?
Yes. Use the Export option to download POs in Excel format. See Exporting Purchase Orders.