Copy vendors by using shared number sequences

Use shared number sequences to assign vendor IDs. Shared number sequences also let you copy vendors from one legal entity to another legal entity but use the same vendor IDs in both legal entities.

Setup

The feature is activated when you use a shared number sequence to assign vendor IDs. Use the same number sequence in every legal entity that you want to copy a vendor to. Change the vendor number sequence on the Accounts payable parameters page for each legal entity. Select Accounts payable > Setup > Accounts payable parameters, and then select the Number sequences tab.

You can also set up vendor number sequences for each vendor group. These number sequences must also be shared. The number sequence for a vendor group is used first. If you don't specify a number sequence for a vendor group, the number sequence that you specify on the Accounts payable parameters page is used.

You can also copy vendors between legal entities if you use manual vendor IDs. However, if you try to copy a vendor to a legal entity where the vendor ID already exists, the copy process isn't started.

Copy a vendor

To copy a vendor, select New on the All vendors list page to open the All vendors, new record page. The new vendor ID isn't assigned immediately. This behavior differs from the behavior in previous versions. Because you didn't yet select the vendor group, the system can't determine the correct number sequence. Additionally, it can't determine whether you're trying to create a new vendor or copy a vendor. Therefore, the vendor ID isn't assigned until you select Save at the bottom of the page.

If you're creating a new vendor, continue to fill in all the fields as you usually do. When you finish, and you select Save, the vendor ID is assigned automatically. Alternatively, for manual number sequences, you see that your manual vendor ID is used.

To copy a vendor, in the Name field, enter one or more characters that represent the vendor that you're looking for. A search dialog box shows a list of parties that might represent the vendor that you're looking for. When you select one of the parties, additional information appears on the right side of the dialog box:

• The General tab displays the party's phone number and address.
• The Roles tab displays the roles that the selected party can have and the legal entity where it has each role.
• The Tax registration ID tab displays the tax registration IDs that are assigned to the party.

You can copy a party only if it has a vendor role, and if it has that role in a legal entity that isn't the current legal entity. When you find a party that meets these criteria, follow these steps:

1. A Copy vendor option appears. By default, this option is set to No. To copy the vendor to the current legal entity, set the option to Yes.
2. A Legal entity field appears. Select the legal entity to copy the vendor from. If the vendor exists in only one legal entity, the field is set to that legal entity by default.
3. Select Select. The new vendor is created.

Validation

When you copy a vendor, the system tries to save the new vendor information. Validations run to verify that the data is good. You receive an error message for every validation that fails. The error messages explain what information you must update. You can't save the copy of the vendor until you fix all the validation errors.

Copy a vendor by using the Tax exempt number search feature

You can also copy vendors by using the Tax exempt number search feature in the Registration group on the Vendor tab on the Action Pane of the All vendors page. The Tax exempt number search dialog box that appears shows tax exempt numbers, the vendor ID, the vendor name, and the legal entity where the tax exempt ID is used. You can copy a vendor only if it's in a legal entity that isn't the current legal entity. After you select a vendor that meets this criterion, follow these steps:

1. A Copy vendor option appears. By default, this option is set to No. To copy the vendor to the current legal entity, set the option to Yes.
2. Select Select. The new vendor is created.