> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.aimventory.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Vendors

> Keep an address book of the suppliers you buy stock from, so you can pick them on purchase orders and track who you sourced from.

Keep an address book of the suppliers you buy stock from, so you can pick them on purchase orders and track who you sourced from.

**Where to find it:** [Open Vendors in AIM](https://aimventory.com/vendors) — you will be asked to sign in first.

## What you can do here

* Add a supplier with their contact person, email, phone, and address
* Record payment terms (like Net 30 or COD) so you remember how you pay them
* Edit a supplier's details or mark old ones inactive instead of deleting
* Link a supplier to another business you're connected with in AIM, so orders sync between you
* See the change history for any supplier

## Buttons, fields, and controls

| Control                       | Where                   | What it does                                               | When to use it                                                                |
| ----------------------------- | ----------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Add Vendor                    | Page actions            | Opens the form for a new supplier record.                  | Use it before creating purchase orders for a supplier not yet in AIM.         |
| Search                        | Filters                 | Finds vendors by name, contact, email, or related details. | Use it when editing one supplier or checking sourcing history.                |
| Status                        | Filters and vendor form | Filters vendors or marks a vendor active/inactive.         | Use it to hide suppliers you no longer buy from while preserving history.     |
| Edit                          | Vendor row actions      | Opens an existing vendor for changes.                      | Use it when contact info, payment terms, address, or linked business changes. |
| Link to AIM Business          | Vendor form             | Connects the vendor record to another AIM business.        | Use it when orders should sync with a supplier that also uses AIM.            |
| Create Vendor / Update Vendor | Vendor form             | Saves the vendor record.                                   | Use it after confirming required contact details and any payment terms.       |

## How to: Add a new vendor

1. Click "Add Vendor".
2. Enter the vendor name, a contact person, and an email (these three are required).
3. Fill in phone, address, and payment terms if you have them.
4. Click "Create Vendor" to save.

<Tip title="Real-world example">
  Add "Sole Supplier Co." with contact "Maria Lopez", email [maria@solesupplier.com](mailto:maria@solesupplier.com), and payment terms "Net 30" — now you can choose them when you create a purchase order.
</Tip>

## How to: Find and edit a vendor

1. Type a name, email, or contact in the Search box and press Enter.
2. Click the pencil icon on the vendor's row.
3. Update any details and click "Update Vendor".

<Tip title="Real-world example">
  Your supplier changed their phone number — search "Sole Supplier", click the pencil, update the phone, and save.
</Tip>

## How to: Link a vendor to a connected business

1. This only appears if you already have another AIM business connected to yours.
2. Edit the vendor (or add a new one).
3. In "Link to AIM Business", pick the connected business.
4. Save — purchase orders and wholesale orders can now sync between the two of you.

<Tip title="Real-world example">
  You buy from "Sole Stop", who also uses AIM. Link your "Sole Stop" vendor to their business so the orders you place show up on both sides automatically.
</Tip>

## Good to know

* Required fields are vendor name, contact person, and a valid email — the rest is optional.
* Use the Status filter to switch between active suppliers only and all suppliers.
* Prefer marking a supplier inactive over deleting if they have past purchase orders — that keeps your sourcing history intact.
* Linking is only for suppliers who are also businesses on AIM; a regular outside supplier doesn't need it.

## Where to go next

* [Purchase Orders (stock coming in)](/buying/purchase-orders)