# Supplier vs Self-Managed

> A Catalog is a collection of Products and Prices that you can purchase from a Supplier in your Requisitions.

Source: https://www.purchaseplus.com/docs/for-purchasers/supplier-vs-self-managed-catalogs

Markdown: https://www.purchaseplus.com/docs/for-purchasers/supplier-vs-self-managed-catalogs.md

# Supplier vs Self-Managed
Jump to:

-   [Supplier vs Self-Managed](#supplier-vs-self-managed)
-   [Viewing Catalogs (and Identifying Catalog Type)](#ViewingCatalogs1)
    -   [Option 1: Via the Catalogs Area](#Option1ViaCatalogsArea)
    -   [Option 2: Via the Suppliers Area](#ViaMySuppliers)
-   [Updating Catalogs](#UpdatingCatalogs)  
    -   [Supplier-Managed Catalogs](#Supplier-Managed)
    -   [Self-Managed Catalogs](#Self-Managed)
-   [Frequently Asked Questions](#FAQs)

### Supplier vs Self-Managed

A **[Catalog](/docs/for-purchasers/introduction-to-catalogs)** is a collection of [Products](/docs/for-purchasers/introduction-to-products) and Prices that you can purchase from a [Supplier](/docs/for-purchasers/introduction-to-suppliers) in your [Requisitions](/docs/for-purchasers/introduction-to-requisitions).

Catalogs can be either:

-   **Supplier-managed,** which means that a [Registered Supplier](/docs/for-purchasers/introduction-to-suppliers#RegisteredVsSelfManagedSuppliers) has created the Catalog, and populated it with Products and Prices. The Supplier can then _assign_ it to your Purchasing Organisation, at which point the contained products are available for inclusion in a Requisition. As a Purchaser, you cannot edit Supplier-managed Catalogs.
-   **Self Managed**, which means that a user at your Purchasing Organisation has created the Catalog, populated it with Products and Prices, and _assigned_ it to one of your Suppliers - at which point the contained products are available for inclusion in a Requisition.
    -   Self Managed Catalogs can be assigned to both Self Managed and Registered Suppliers, but only your Purchasing Organisation is able to view and manage a Self Managed Catalog - regardless of whether the Self Managed Catalog is assigned to a Registered Supplier.

### Identify the catalog type

You can access Catalogs in two ways:

1.  Via the **\[Catalogs\]** section in the side navigation bar.
2.  Via the **\[My Suppliers\]** section in the side navigation bar.

#### Option 1: Via the Catalogs Area

1\. Select \[**Catalogs**\] **→** \[**View All**\] from the side navigation menu. 

2\. Filter Catalogs by \[**View All**\], \[**Supplier Managed**\] or \[**Self Managed**\] using the tabs under the Catalog name. 

You can additionally view whether a Catalog is Supplier- or Self-Managed in the 'Self Managed' column of the table in the image below.

  
![Supplier vs Self Managed catalogs](/images/docs/for-purchasers/supplier-vs-self-managed-catalogs-1.avif)

3\. Use \[**Advanced Search**\] or \[**Search by Catalog Name or Supplier Name**\].

4\. Click a \[**Catalog**\] to view the Products & Prices inside the Catalog.

#### Option 2: Via My Suppliers Section

1\. Select \[**Suppliers**\] **→** \[**My Suppliers**\] from the side navigation menu. Then select a Supplier.

![Access Supplier via My Suppliers](/images/docs/for-purchasers/supplier-vs-self-managed-catalogs-2.avif)

2\. Select the \[**Catalogs**\] tab. You can view whether a Catalog is Supplier- or Self-Managed in the 'Self Managed' column of the table:

![Viewing Suppliers Catalogs](/images/docs/for-purchasers/supplier-vs-self-managed-catalogs-3.avif)

3\. Click a \[**Catalog**\] to view the Products & Prices inside the Catalog.

![Supplier Catalogs with Self Managed column](/images/docs/for-purchasers/supplier-vs-self-managed-catalogs-4.avif)

### Updating Catalogs

#### Supplier Managed Catalogs

If the Catalog is Supplier Managed, you are able to complete the following steps.

1.  Use \[**Advanced Search**\] or \[**Search Products\]** by Name.
2.  View Product Information.
3.  View the Unit Price and Tax Percentage of each Product.
4.  On each Product, select \[**More Options**\] **→** \[**View Product**\], \[**Add to Buy List**\] or \[**Add to Catalog**\]**.**

**![View Supplier Product Catalog](/images/docs/for-purchasers/supplier-vs-self-managed-catalogs-5.avif)**

As a Purchaser, you are not able to update the Products or Prices in a Supplier-Managed Catalog. Instead:

1.  **Contact your Supplier directly**
    -   Advise them of the required price updates,
    -   Provide any relevant details (e.g. agreed pricing).
2.  **Supplier updates their Catalog in PurchasePlus**
    -   The Supplier will make the changes on their end.
3.  **Supplier submits the update**
    -   They will coordinate with the **Supplier Relations** or **Catalog Team** if required.
4.  **System updated**
    -   Once processed, the updated prices will reflect in your Catalog.

Tip: If the update is urgent, let your Supplier know so they can prioritise the request.

#### **Self-Managed Catalogs**

If the Catalog is Self-Managed, you can take the same actions as a Supplier Managed Catalog, and you can complete a number of additional actions if you have the 'Manage Self Managed Catalogs' permission enabled.

You can:

1.  \[**Search Products\]** by Name or use the \[**Advanced Search**\] feature.
2.  View Product Information.
3.  View or update the \[**Unit Price**\] and \[**Tax %**\].
4.  View or update the Catalog via the \[**Export**\] and \[**Import**\] tabs. See our [Import a Self Managed Catalog](/docs/for-purchasers/import-a-self-managed-catalog) article to learn more.
5.  On each Product, select \[**More Options**\] **→** \[**View Product**\], \[**Add to Buy List**\], \[**Add to Catalog**\] or \[**Remove Product\]**.
6.  Click \[**Add a Product**\] in the top right corner to add a new Product to the Catalog. See our [Import a Self Managed Catalog](/docs/for-purchasers/create-or-update-a-self-managed-catalog) article to learn more.

![View and edit Self-Managed Catalog](/images/docs/for-purchasers/supplier-vs-self-managed-catalogs-6.avif)

### Frequently Asked Questions

**Why can’t I edit the price of a Product in a Catalog?**  
If the price field is greyed out or locked, the Catalog is likely **Supplier-Managed**.

**Why are there duplicate Suppliers?**  
You may have both a **Supplier-Managed** and **Self-Managed** version of the same Supplier.

**Who should I contact for price issues?**

-   Supplier-Managed → Contact the **Supplier**
-   Self-Managed → Update directly in the system