Vendor and Rates module

The Vendors and Rates module stores vendors and their rates in a familiar tree structure.

Vendors provide utility service to meters and are linked to accounts.
Each vendor has rate schedules for each commodity.

Vendor hierarchy

Two types of vendors

Utility company
Internal (to generate chargeback bills)

Steps to delete a vendor

Go to the Vendors and Rates module.
In the module menu, select List by Vendor.
Open the Actions menu.
Select Delete Vendor.

You can only delete a vendor in the Vendors and Rates module when using the List by Vendor view. Use the Actions menu to delete the vendor.

To create a new vendor

Go to the Vendors and Rates module.
Click on any existing vendor.
Open the Actions menu.
Select New Vendor.
Complete and save the form.

Vendor account lines

Vendor account lines are defined line items that automatically appear on all new bills for a specific vendor. You set them up on the vendor's Properties page. These lines help ensure bill consistency, especially for reporting purposes.

Default Bill Lines
When you add vendor account lines, they show up by default on every new bill for that vendor.
Edit Location
You can only create or change vendor account lines from the vendor Properties page.
Copy Feature
You can copy account lines from one vendor to another, saving time during setup.

Copy account lines to other vendors

To save time and keep billing consistent, you can copy vendor account lines from one vendor to another. This is helpful when multiple vendors use the same set of standard charges or categories.

Why use this?

Faster setup
No need to enter the same line items manually for each vendor.
Consistent reporting
Ensures all related vendors use the same account line structure.

How it works

You start with a vendor that already has account lines set up. Then, using the Copy function, apply those lines to another vendor.

🔒 Only users with permission to edit vendor settings can copy account lines.

When you copy account lines to another vendor any existing account lines are replaced.

Vendors and rates module menu

Settings
Custom Fields for Vendors	Edit and create custom fields for vendors.
Custom Fields for Rate Schedules	Edit and create custom fields for rate schedules.
Hierarchy	This section determines how your vendors and rates are displayed.
List by Vendor
List by Commodity
Control your tree view by choosing name, code, or both.
Display Name
Display Code
Display Name [Code]
Display Code [Name]

Create an automatic vendor commodity group

Create an automatic group while in the Vendors and Rates module.

Select a commodity or rate, use the Actions menu to automatically create a group.
Enter a name and select a category for the group.
Save and view your new group. Group names must be unique per category.