What’s the difference between the “procurement module” and basic purchasing?

What’s the difference between the “procurement module” and basic purchasing?

In most cases the “TM Procurement” module, is only licensed and active in the office installation.

It is possible to also run the full Procurement module onboard in versions older than September 2021. For more details on how to configure TM Master to do this see chapter: How to configure TM Master to run the full “Procurement” module onboard? However the onboard system (unit system) in most cases only the limited “TM Purchasing” module is available. There are some major differences between the “Purchasing module” and the full TM Procurement module. So, what is the difference between “TM Procurement” and “TM Purchasing”?

The following can be done in the purchasing module (without “TM Procurement” license) 

• The users\crew onboard will create drafts for items they require.
• One supplier can be added to the order.
• Prices need to be modified on the order lines directly. (Quotes not supported)
• The draft can be set to “Draft approval required” status
• The drafts can be approved turning them into requisitions
• When approving an order, it is possible to choose to create either a… o  …direct purchase order.  
  • The order line-Item prices entered will then be used as prices for the order ▪ It is possible to send the order via email from the system to the supplier. ▪ Direct purchase orders go directly “on order” status when draft is approved ▪ It is possible to “Confirm Order” for direct purchase orders. o … requisition
  • Order is then transferred to the office for further processing.
• Once the order is set to status “On Order” o It is possible to perform transit receives (Warehouse, forwarder, agent) o It is possible to receive order to stock (partly and completely) o It is possible to mark order as paid (partly and completely)
• It is possible to set a draft\requisition\order on hold, stopping further processing of the order until the “on hold” has been removed.

The overview has a limited number of columns compared to what is available with the

“Procurement” license. (For more details on overview columns see chapter:  Statuses and overview columns explained 

The “purchasing” overview status bar without the “Procurement” license 

The order form without the “Procurement” license 

The following can be done with the TM Procurement module

In general, all that can also be done in the Purchasing module can also be done in the TM Procurement module. TM Procurement features additional functionality.

• The users can create drafts for items they require.
• The draft can be set to “Draft approval required” status
• Drafts can be approved turning them into requisitions
• The requisition can be approved or rejected  
• The purchasers at the office can include multiple suppliers and send out a RFQ to each.

o As plain email, with the RFQ as a .PDF attachment o As an email, with the RFQ as an excel sheet included, in addition to the .PDF file.

Supplier can enter quotes in excel sheet, which then can be reimported with quotes o Via one of the supported e-commerce portals

• A send reminder function is available o Request for quotation reminder o Order confirmation reminder o Order delivery reminder
  1. Invoice reminder (not yet implemented)
• The purchaser can import\enter quotes for each included supplier
• A price comparison can be done
• The order can be split into several split orders between the included suppliers… o … before quotes have been received o … after quotes have been received
• A supplier can be selected for the order, updating the order based on the quoted details
• A request for order approval can be sent to internal users o User right controlled approval
  1. Approval matrix based on order conditions and value

                                        ▪     Approval portal APP available. (Requires separate license)

• Once the order is approved it can be sent.
  1. By e-mail (.pdf)
  2. Via supported e-commerce portal
• It is possible to integrate system with forwarders
• Once the order is set to status “On Order” o It is possible to perform transit receives (Warehouse, forwarder, agent)

                                        ▪     If integrated with forwarder the receival form forwarder is automatic.

• It is possible to set a draft\requisition\order on hold, stopping further processing of the order until the “on hold” has been removed.
• It is possible to modify\adjust\correct order at any stage using the “Force status” function
• It is possible to “re-send” the order increasing the version number for the order
• It is possible to create, “partly orders”, split out one or more order lines to a split order after the order has been sent, to simplify payments and deliveries.
• It is possible to create Credit Notes for item not received or damaged.
• The order form with the procurement license looks like this

The order form with the “Procurement” license