Guide to Importing Customers and Vendors from Spreadsheets
When managing customer and vendor data, a precise import of information into Bottleneck is vital for maintaining accurate records and facilitating seamless communication once you are up and running.
Preparing for Import
Step 1: Download the Data Import Template
Before you start to format your Customer and Vendor data, it’s best to start with Bottleneck’s own template. This ensures that your data is structured in a way that Bottleneck can understand.
This template is available through Google Sheets - To copy or download the template, click the link and select file. If you would like to open this file in Excel, select to download and choose the .csv or .xlsx option. If you prefer Google Sheets, select Make A Copy under file. A file attachment is also located at the bottom of this page.
Step 2: Detailed Preparation of Your Excel Spreadsheet
When importing customers and vendors, you do not need to complete every column. You should complete as many as you feel will serve you best, although we always recommend more detail.
Columns Explanation:
Company Name: Input the name of your customer or vendor. For customers, this is used to track ownership of inventory items, BOMs, Production Orders, Etc. For vendors, this information is tracked into Purchase Orders.
Website: Input the URL for your customer or vendor.
Primary Phone: Number for HQ of customer or vendor
Primary Email: The primary email should be the email your intera
Primary Contact: Name the individual who is your main point of contact at the company.
Payment Terms: Predefine the payment terms agreed upon, such as 'Net 30'.
Shipping Address Information: Input address, city, state, zip code, etc
Billing Address Information: Input address, city, state, zip code, etc
Contact 1 Full Name: The first contact person's full legal name.
Contact 1 Email: An email address where the contact can be reached.
Contact 1 Phone: Direct line or mobile phone number.
Contact 1 Type: (e.g., Purchasing Manager, Accounts Payable).
Importing into Bottleneck
Step 3: Upload CSV to Bottleneck's Customer/Vendor Import Section
Log into Bottleneck and navigate to the 'Customer' or 'Vendor' section. Locate the import option, which will be labeled 'Import CSV' in the top right corner.
Step 4: Validate and Review
After uploading, Bottleneck might provide a preview of how the data will look once imported. Review this carefully to ensure accuracy.
Step 5: Complete the Import
If everything looks correct, proceed with the import. Monitor the process for any errors and confirm all customers and vendors have been imported successfully.
Validation and Support
Step 6: Post-Import Verification
Check the newly imported customers/vendors against your original Excel spreadsheet to ensure that all data has transferred correctly. Verify that the quantities and units of measurement are consistent with your records.
Troubleshooting and Support
If you receive any errors during the import process, please reach out to support@bottleneck.com
By following these steps and utilizing a template CSV file, you can effectively import your Excel files into Bottleneck, paving the way for a more streamlined inventory and production management system.