π‘ Why Add Vendors & Contractors?
Adding vendors or external contractors into FaultFixers makes it easier to manage jobs that are carried out by third parties. Some key benefits include:
- β Always free of charge: You can add as many vendors or contractors as you like at no additional cost. 
- π Clear job tracking: While vendors cannot directly interact with tickets in FaultFixers, you can assign jobs to them so you always know who completed the task. 
- π Information sharing: Job details can be shared via email with the vendor/contractor, keeping everyone aligned. 
β Step 1: Adding a Vendor or Contractor
- π§ Navigate to the Team tab in the left hand menu 
- βοΈ Select Vendors and Extremal Parties In the top right corner 
- β Click Add Vendor/External Contract. 
- βοΈ Enter the details for the vendor/contractor (e.g., company name, contact details, category if relevant). 
- πΎ Click Create. 
π The vendor/contractor will now appear in your list and can be used for assigning jobs.
π Step 2: Assigning a Vendor or Contractor to a Job
- π Open the Job that needs to be completed. 
- π€ In the With Vendors field, select the vendor/contractor from your list. 
- β Confirm the assignment. 
π The vendor/contractor will be recorded as responsible for the job, and you can track completion details against them.
π€ Step 3: Sharing Job Details with a Vendor or Contractor
- π Once the vendor is assigned, press the Share button. 
- π§ From the Vendors on Job list, select the vendorβs email. 
- π Add any extra notes or instructions you want to include. 
- π Hit Share. 
π The vendor/contractor will receive the job details via email, ensuring they have all the context they need.
π₯ Team Members vs. Vendors/Contractors
Itβs important to understand the difference between Team members and vendors/contractors in FaultFixers:
- π¨βπ» Team Members - Have their own FaultFixers sign-ins. 
- Can directly interact with tasks (add comments, update status, upload files, fill in forms, etc.). 
- Typically internal staff or employees. 
 
- π οΈ Vendors/Contractors - Free of charge to add. 
- Can represent either individuals or entire companies. 
- Do not have logins and cannot directly interact with tasks. 
- Can be assigned to jobs for visibility on who completed the work. 
 
β¨ Working Together: You can assign both a Team member and a Vendor to the same job. This way, the internal team member ensures the job is completed, while the vendor is recorded as the one carrying out the work.
