Procurement Glossary

Operations • Module glossary

Procurement Glossary

This glossary explains common words and fields you’ll see when using Procurement in XFatora.

  • Written for general business users (not developers).
  • Includes simple explanations, realistic examples, and field-level descriptions.

Also known as: Purchase

Terms (A–Z)


Approval Workflow

What it is: Approval workflow is the set of steps required before a request or order is confirmed.

When you use it: Use workflows to enforce spending rules and reduce unauthorized purchases.

Example: Requests above 10,000 SAR require manager + finance approval.

Common fields (and what they mean):

  • Approver(s): Who must approve.
  • Thresholds: Rules based on amount, category, department.
  • Status: Pending/approved/rejected.

Related terms: Purchase Request, Audit Trail


Delivery Terms

What it is: Delivery terms define how and when goods are delivered (delivery location, responsibility, shipping method).

When you use it: Use delivery terms to avoid disputes and align expectations with suppliers.

Example: Supplier delivers to your main warehouse; you handle unloading.

Common fields (and what they mean):

  • Delivery Address: Where goods should arrive.
  • Shipping Method: Courier, freight, pickup.
  • Incoterms (optional): If used for international shipments.

Related terms: Logistics, Goods Receipt


Goods Receipt

What it is: Goods receipt confirms that ordered items were received and matches them to the purchase order.

When you use it: Use it to update inventory and to validate supplier invoices.

Example: You receive 90 out of 100 units and record a partial receipt.

Common fields (and what they mean):

  • Receipt Date: When goods arrived.
  • Received Quantities: What was actually received.
  • Condition Notes: Damaged/missing items.
  • Warehouse: Where goods were stored.

Related terms: Inventory, Three-Way Match, Returns to Supplier


Lead Time

What it is: Lead time is how long it takes from ordering to receiving the goods.

When you use it: Use lead times to plan stock replenishment and avoid shortages.

Example: Your supplier’s lead time is 14 days, so you reorder earlier.

Common fields (and what they mean):

  • Supplier Lead Time: Typical days to deliver.
  • Buffer (optional): Extra time added for safety.

Related terms: Reorder Point, Inventory


PO Status

What it is: PO status shows where an order is in the lifecycle: draft, approved, sent, received, closed.

When you use it: Use status to keep teams aligned on what’s pending and what has been delivered.

Example: A PO becomes “Partially Received” when only part of the shipment arrives.

Common fields (and what they mean):

  • Status: Current state.
  • Last Update: When status changed.

Related terms: Purchase Order (PO), Goods Receipt


Preferred Supplier

What it is: A preferred supplier is a vendor you trust for quality, price, or reliability.

When you use it: Use preferred suppliers to speed up ordering and reduce risk.

Example: You mark a supplier as preferred after consistent on-time deliveries.

Common fields (and what they mean):

  • Supplier Rating (optional): Quality/price/service score.
  • Contract Terms (optional): Negotiated terms and discounts.

Related terms: Supplier, Supplier Performance


Procurement Report

What it is: Procurement reports summarize purchase spend, supplier usage, and approvals.

When you use it: Use reports to understand where money goes and improve purchasing decisions.

Example: You review spend by category to negotiate better rates.

Common fields (and what they mean):

  • Period: Date range.
  • Supplier: Optional filter by supplier.
  • Category: Spend classification.
  • Total Spend: Sum of purchases.

Related terms: Spend Control, Supplier


Purchase Category

What it is: Purchase categories group purchases into meaningful buckets (IT, office supplies, raw materials).

When you use it: Use categories for budgeting and better reporting.

Example: You categorize purchases so you can see how much you spend on logistics vs marketing.

Common fields (and what they mean):

  • Category Name: The label.
  • Budget (optional): Planned amount for the category.

Related terms: Budget, Procurement Report


Purchase Order (PO)

What it is: A purchase order is the official document confirming your order with a supplier—items, quantities, prices, and delivery details.

When you use it: Use POs to prevent misunderstandings and to track procurement from order to receipt.

Example: You issue a PO for raw materials with delivery next Monday.

Common fields (and what they mean):

  • PO Number: Unique reference.
  • Supplier: Vendor receiving the PO.
  • Order Date: When the PO was issued.
  • Delivery Date: Expected delivery.
  • Items: What you’re buying.
  • Total: Total PO value.
  • Status: Draft, sent, approved, received, closed.

Related terms: Goods Receipt, Accounts Payable (AP), Inventory


Purchase Request

What it is: A purchase request is an internal request to buy something, usually requiring approval before placing an order.

When you use it: Use purchase requests to control spending and keep department requests organized.

Example: IT submits a request to purchase new laptops, then Finance approves it.

Common fields (and what they mean):

  • Requested Item: What needs to be purchased.
  • Quantity: How many units.
  • Requested By: Employee/department requesting.
  • Justification: Why it’s needed.
  • Approval Status: Pending, approved, rejected.

Related terms: Approval Workflow, Purchase Order (PO)


Receiving Checklist

What it is: A receiving checklist ensures received items are counted and inspected properly before acceptance.

When you use it: Use it to reduce disputes and detect problems early.

Example: Warehouse staff checks quantity, packaging condition, and serial numbers on arrival.

Common fields (and what they mean):

  • Quantity Check: Confirm counts match.
  • Quality Check: Inspect for damage.
  • Documentation: PO/packing list reference.

Related terms: Goods Receipt, Inventory


Returns to Supplier

What it is: Returns to supplier is the process of sending back incorrect, damaged, or excess items.

When you use it: Use it to keep inventory accurate and to claim refunds or replacements.

Example: You return 10 damaged units and request replacement.

Common fields (and what they mean):

  • Return Reason: Damage, wrong item, overdelivery.
  • Quantity: Returned amount.
  • Return Status: Requested, shipped, received by supplier, closed.

Related terms: Goods Receipt, Credit Note


RFQ (Request for Quotation)

What it is: An RFQ is a request sent to suppliers asking for pricing and availability before you choose a vendor.

When you use it: Use RFQs when you want competitive pricing or when buying high-value items.

Example: You send an RFQ to 3 suppliers for 1,000 units and compare quotes.

Common fields (and what they mean):

  • Items: What you want quoted.
  • Deadline: When suppliers must respond.
  • Suppliers: Who receives the RFQ.

Related terms: Supplier Quote, Purchase Order (PO)


Spend Control

What it is: Spend control is the set of policies and approvals that keep purchasing within budget.

When you use it: Use it to prevent uncontrolled spending and to reduce procurement waste.

Example: Only department heads can approve purchases above a set limit.

Common fields (and what they mean):

  • Budget Limit: Allowed spend threshold.
  • Approval Levels: Who approves at each level.

Related terms: Approval Workflow, Budget


Supplier

What it is: A supplier is a vendor you buy goods or services from (materials, products, contractors).

When you use it: Use supplier records to centralize contacts, payment terms, and purchase history.

Example: You add your packaging supplier with their contact person and payment terms.

Common fields (and what they mean):

  • Supplier Name: Vendor business name.
  • Contact Person: Who you talk to.
  • Email/Phone: Communication details.
  • Payment Terms: When you pay (Net 30, due on receipt).

Related terms: Purchase Order (PO), Accounts Payable (AP)


Supplier Invoice

What it is: A supplier invoice is the bill from a supplier requesting payment for delivered goods/services.

When you use it: Use it to record payables and schedule payment.

Example: After receiving materials, you record the supplier invoice due in 30 days.

Common fields (and what they mean):

  • Invoice Number: Supplier reference.
  • Invoice Date: When issued.
  • Due Date: When payment is due.
  • Amount: Total amount owed.

Related terms: Accounts Payable (AP), Three-Way Match


Supplier Performance

What it is: Supplier performance measures reliability—on-time delivery, quality, and pricing consistency.

When you use it: Use it to decide which suppliers to keep, renegotiate, or replace.

Example: A supplier’s on-time delivery drops to 60%, so you add a backup supplier.

Common fields (and what they mean):

  • On-Time Delivery %: Delivery reliability.
  • Quality Issues: Defects/returns count.
  • Price Variance: How stable pricing is.

Related terms: Preferred Supplier, Reporting


Supplier Quote

What it is: A supplier quote is the pricing offer received from a supplier in response to your request.

When you use it: Use quotes to compare price, lead time, and terms before issuing a purchase order.

Example: Supplier A is cheaper, Supplier B is faster—choose based on urgency and cost.

Common fields (and what they mean):

  • Unit Price: Price per item/unit.
  • Lead Time: Estimated delivery time.
  • Validity: How long the quote is valid.
  • Terms: Payment and delivery terms.

Related terms: RFQ (Request for Quotation), Purchase Order (PO)


Three-Way Match

What it is: Three-way matching compares the purchase order, goods receipt, and supplier invoice before payment.

When you use it: Use it to prevent overbilling and ensure you pay only for what you received.

Example: Supplier invoice is for 100 units, but receipt shows 90—payment is adjusted.

Common fields (and what they mean):

  • PO: Ordered quantities/prices.
  • Receipt: Received quantities.
  • Supplier Invoice: Billed quantities/prices.

Related terms: Accounts Payable (AP), Goods Receipt