What supplier types mean in Bizwazi

Supplier type tells Bizwazi how the supplier is used. This is important because stock suppliers connect to inventory, bill suppliers connect to bills and payables, and some suppliers need to connect to both.

Stock supplier

• Choose Stock supplier when the supplier provides items you keep in inventory.
• A stock supplier is normally a supplier you buy products from for resale or business stock.
• Examples include wholesalers, food suppliers, cosmetics suppliers, spare parts suppliers, stationery suppliers, product distributors, farmers, manufacturers, and market suppliers.
• Stock suppliers can be linked to inventory items.
• Their supplier cards can show stock cost value, stock retail value, linked items, low-stock issues, out-of-stock issues, and stock-related actions.
• Use this when the supplier should help you answer: where does this stock item come from?

Bill-only supplier

• Choose Bill-only supplier when the supplier is used for bills, services, utilities, rent, or other non-stock payables.
• A bill-only supplier does not normally provide inventory items for resale.
• Examples include rent, electricity, water, internet, cleaning, security, transport, repairs, accounting, software subscriptions, professional services, and other service providers.
• Bill-only suppliers are useful for recording supplier bills without showing stock-focused cards.
• They can have linked bills, due dates, part-payments, paid bills, unpaid bills, and outstanding balances.
• Use this when the supplier should help you answer: who do I owe money to, or who sent this bill?

Stock and bills supplier

• Choose Stock and bills when the same supplier provides stock and also has bills or payable balances.
• This is common when a wholesaler supplies inventory and allows you to pay later.
• It is also useful when a stock supplier sends bills for stock purchases, delivery charges, services, or unpaid balances.
• The supplier can be linked to inventory items and supplier bills at the same time.
• This gives the fullest supplier view because Bizwazi can show stock value, linked stock items, bill totals, and outstanding balances together.
• Use this when the supplier should help you answer both questions: what stock comes from this supplier, and how much do I still owe them?

Which one should you choose?

• If the supplier provides items you sell or track as inventory, choose Stock supplier.
• If the supplier only sends bills for rent, utilities, services, repairs, internet, transport, or other non-stock costs, choose Bill-only supplier.
• If the supplier provides inventory and also has bills, unpaid balances, credit purchases, delivery charges, or supplier statements, choose Stock and bills.
• You can edit the supplier later if the supplier role changes.

Examples

• Mombasa Wholesale Suppliers may be a Stock supplier if they provide cooking oil and other shop stock.
• Kenya Power, a landlord, water provider, or internet provider would normally be Bill-only suppliers.
• A wholesaler who supplies stock and also sends bills for unpaid purchases should be Stock and bills.
• A delivery company used only for delivery charges may be Bill-only. A stock distributor who also charges delivery on the same supplier account may be Stock and bills.

Why the difference matters

• Stock suppliers affect inventory, stock value, low stock warnings, and supplier-linked stock reports.
• Bill-only suppliers affect bills, payables, due dates, outstanding balances, and cash flow.
• Stock and bills suppliers affect both areas.
• Choosing the right type keeps the Suppliers page clearer and helps users understand what each supplier is used for.