Vendors Overview
Brands vs suppliers
Section titled “Brands vs suppliers”Vendors in brix are split into two separate lists:
- Brands — The manufacturer or brand of a material (for example Daikin, Mitsubishi, Rheem). A brand carries a logo and name. Materials are linked to a brand so you can filter your pricebook and show the brand on a quote.
- Suppliers — The business you buy the material from (for example Reece Plumbing, Beijer Ref). Suppliers carry full company details — ABN, contact name, phone, email, address — so your team knows where to order and who to call.
A material can have both a brand and a supplier — for example a “Daikin 7kW split system” (brand) sourced from “Beijer Ref” (supplier). Keeping them separate means you can change supplier without losing the brand information on existing quotes and take-offs.
Where to find them
Section titled “Where to find them”In the sidebar, click Vendors and you will see two sub-items:
- Brands — Maintain the list of brands you use.
- Suppliers — Maintain the list of companies you buy from.
Frequently asked questions
Section titled “Frequently asked questions”What’s the difference between a brand and a supplier?
A brand identifies the maker of a material — for example Daikin or Rheem. A supplier is the company you order from — for example a local wholesaler. The same brand can be stocked by multiple suppliers, and the same supplier can sell many brands.
Do I have to fill in both brand and supplier on every material?
No. Materials can be linked to one, both, or neither — depending on how your team works. Most workspaces fill in Brand for catalogue clarity and Supplier for ordering. Your admin sets the expectation.
Why don’t I see Brands or Suppliers in the sidebar?
Your permission group may not include access. Ask your workspace owner to grant the Brands and Suppliers permissions.