You can add new suppliers to your RAVE system via the Contractors/Contacts button, and the Contacts sub-tab. Suppliers can be added one at a time, or as a bulk upload via our CSV example file template.  We are going to look at the process of adding Suppliers one at a time next - but firstly, let's have a quick chat about Suppliers vs Contractors.

 



NOTE: Suppliers vs Contractors

 

The term ‘Supplier’ in RAVE, is used to describe those suppliers and sub-trades who do not need a RAVE login to access your projects, schedules, and documents in RAVE i.e. 'Suppliers' provide quote information only - they do not need to log in to RAVE to access the project details, and therefore do not need a RAVE login.

As opposed to 'Contractors' who do need a RAVE login to access your projects, schedules, and documents in RAVE.  

As a result, we send a welcome email with login details to 'Contractors', but we don't for 'Suppliers'



Adding Suppliers one at a time

 

To add one new supplier at a time:


  1. From the Contacts sub-tab, we click on the ‘Add New Contact’ button at the top right of the screen.  
  2. Then via the Create Contact screen - ensure these mandatory fields are completed:
    • A Company name is added
    • An email address is loaded
    • And the 'Supplier' button is selected

      NOTE:  You want to load as much information on this page as possible i.e. your contact's first and last name, phone number, etc.

       
  3. Once you've completed as many fields as you can, save the details via the Save button at the bottom right of the screen.

    This will load your Supplier as per the screenshots below



Adding Suppliers via a CSV Contact List


You can upload multiple Suppliers via a correctly formatted CSV Contact List.  

To upload a CSV Contact/Supplier List:

  1. From the Contacts sub-tab, we click on the drop-down next to the ‘Add New Contract’ button and select the 'Load from CSV File' option - at the top right of the screen


          
  2. This will open the 'Load from CSV File' pop-up - for you to upload your CSV file from - with an 'example file' (CSV contacts template) for you to download, update, save, and upload.  

  3. Just click on the teal-coloured file name, to download the example file.


    NOTE: The required fields for an entry to load are the: Company Name, Email Address, and the Contact Type set to 'Supplier' - but we recommend filing in much detail as you can for each Supplier.  



    NOTE: RAVE requires your Contacts CSV File to be set up as per the CSV 'example file' - you cannot just upload any random excel spreadsheet and expect it to be loaded into RAVE.  So, please download the 'example file', and then copy & paste your data as plain text into the sample CSV file (in the right columns) before saving for upload.

    Your file needs to be saved as a 'plain' CSV file, aka a 'Comma Separated Values' file, which may display as a 'CSV (Comma delimited)' file when choosing the format to save your file.  

  4. Once your contacts file is ready to load, go back to the 'Load from CSV File' pop-up.  Click the cloud icon to select your CSV file for upload, or drag and drop your CSV file to the cloud icon - then click Continue


  5. RAVE will then review the data - highlighting any errors for you to fix.

     
  6. If you do have errors, cancel the upload, and fix any errors as required, then try again.  Once your file is good to load without errors, click on the import contacts button to continue.

    This will load your new 'Supplier' contacts.