The Field Request feature allows your techs to easily view their truck inventory and make requests for additional items to be added. The warehouse manager or back-office staff can then either:
Order the requested items, or
Create a picklist to replenish the truck with what’s needed. 🔄
This system makes inventory management and field operations smoother and more efficient. Let’s walk through how to use it!
Video Tutorial
Steps for Techs:
Techs must be assigned to a truck location in Ply before they can submit a field request. If a tech doesn't see the Replenish tab or their truck in the dropdown, check their location assignment in Settings → Users.
Cell Phone App 📱
Open the App → Navigate to the “Replenish” tab → Select your location. 🏠 (Remember, techs need to be assigned to a location to access it.)
2. Select the items you need → Hit “Continue” to proceed. ✅
3. Choose the quantity of each item → Hit “Confirm” to finalize the request. 💯
4. Done! Your field request has been successfully created! 🎉
➡️ Web/Desktop Version 💻
Go to “Stock” → Select the location (Note: Techs need to be assigned to a location to select it).
2. Select the items you want to request → Click on “Create a Field Request.” 🛠️
3. Fill out the quantities and click “Save.” 📝
Done! Your field request has been successfully created! ✔️
Steps for Owners/Admins:
As an Owner or Admin, you can easily manage field requests created by your techs.
Go to “Stock” → Select Field Requests to view all the requests. 📊
2. Click the dropdown to view the material list of each request. You’ll see the following options:
Create an RFQ (Request for Quote) 📑
Create a picklist to restock the requested items. 📋
Delete items from the list if needed ❌
If the material is already in stock in another location: Create a pick list. A manager can see every location, not just the technician's truck. If the material exists in a warehouse but not on the truck, a pick list transfers it from the location where it's stocked to the location that requested it.
If the material isn't in stock anywhere: Create a PO (or an RFQ) directly from the Field Request. Fill in the details, the ship-to, and the supplier, then send it. Once the materials arrive, reconcile them to the technician's location or straight to the job.
Important: a Field Request does not transfer material
This is the key point to understand. A technician can view and change the status of their request (pending, in process, received, completed, cancelled, and so on), and they have full freedom to move it around. However: Marking a Field Request as "Received" or "Completed" does not move any material, and it will not make the material show up on the job.
The Field Request is purely a reference. It's how the technician and the manager keep track of what's been asked for.
So when does the material actually move?
The material only lands on the job or in the location when the manager, admin, or owner completes the real transfer, in one of two ways:
A pick list that is marked as completed, or
A PO that has been reconciled to the job or location.
In short: the Field Request is the ask and the tracking. The pick list or the reconciled PO is what actually moves the material. Changing the status on a Field Request, on its own, does not transfer anything.
Watch the Video
To see the full process in action, check out this video that explains
Common Issues
Quick fixes for the most frequent field request problems
Tech doesn't see the Replenish tab on mobile
The tech is likely not assigned to a truck location. Go to Settings → Users, find the tech, and assign them to their truck. Once assigned, the Replenish tab will appear automatically.
Tech's truck doesn't appear in the location dropdown
Same root cause, the tech must be assigned to that specific truck in their user profile. Also confirm that the truck was created as a location in Stock → Trucks. If the truck doesn't exist yet, it needs to be created first.
Admin doesn't see the request in the Field Requests queue
Check that the filter at the top of the Field Requests page is set to All or Pending; it may be filtered to a different status. Also confirm the tech successfully hit "Confirm" (not just "Continue") on their end.
Can a tech edit or cancel a request after submitting it?
Once submitted, techs cannot edit a request. They should contact their admin to delete it and resubmit with the correct quantities. Admins can delete any request from the Field Requests queue.
Still need help? Contact Support!
Questions about setting up Field Requests for your team? We're happy to walk you through it.