Automatic Default Rule Hierarchy
The contract defaulting rules hierarchy determines the order of how the system selects to automatically supply a contract by default to requisitions and purchase orders. The rules enable the system to determine the single most appropriate contract. These combinations must be unique:
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Supplier.
Manufacturer contracts are considered first. The manufacturer on the transaction line matches the manufacturer on the Manufacturer contract, and the distributor on the Manufacturer contract matches the transaction supplier.
Non-Manufacturer contract supplier matches the transaction supplier.
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Current contract version.
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Approved contract status.
For Manufacturer contracts, the associated Distributor contracts are also approved
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Contract begin date.
More than one contract can exist for the same supplier and item, or supplier and category, as long as the contract begin dates are different.
For Manufacturer contracts, the associated Distributor contract begin date is used.
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Item ID unless the item is in a different line grouping.
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Order-by-description (ad hoc)
The system checks for a match using the category and alternate item identifier such as supplier item id, manufacturer item id, or UPN ID when the order-by-description item is a Punchout or ad hoc item, and the Punchout Items or Other Description Items options are enabled on the Contract and Vendor Rebate Controls Page.
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Category.
Even if an item ID exists on a contract, the item's category can be specified, and the item doesn't need to be listed as category exception.
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Open item reference.
An open item can be referenced even if the item ID is listed as a category exception.
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Purchasing business unit when used for non–corporate contracts.