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.