Sometimes a tech is standing at the supplier counter and needs a PO number right now, before anyone has built out the line items. Quick PO solves that: pick a supplier, optionally link a job, and Ply hands you a PO number immediately. The PO is saved as a draft so you can add materials whenever you're ready.
š” Already have the supplierās quote or invoice? Use File Upload instead. Ply builds the whole PO from the file and lets you swap lines for catalog materials before itās created. See How to Create a PO From a PDF.
ā ļø Quick PO is available on the web app and on iOS (Ply v1.8.12 or later). Android support is coming soon.
ā”ļø Who can use Quick PO
Admins, owners, and managers can create quick POs. Technicians can too, as long as they have PO creation permission: see How to Enable PO Creation for Technicians.
ā”ļø How to create a Quick PO
Go to Purchasing ā Purchase Orders.
Click the arrow next to Create New and select Quick PO.
Choose the Supplier (required).
Optionally select a Job if this purchase is for a specific job.
Click Get PO number.
Ply shows the new PO number with a copy icon so you can share it with the supplier or your tech right away. You'll also see the supplier, job, status (Draft), and who created it.
ā”ļø Adding items later
From the confirmation screen you have two options:
Add items: opens the PO so you can add materials right away.
Done: closes the window. The PO stays on your board with a purple Needs Items tag so it's easy to spot. When you know what was bought, open the PO and add the materials. The tag goes away once items are added.
Once the items are in, finish the PO as usual: send it, then receive and reconcile it. See How to Receive Materials in a Purchase Order.
ā”ļø Adding items from a packing slip
Got the packing slip from the supplier? You can upload it straight into your Quick PO and let Ply's AI fill in the items for you, instead of adding them one by one.
Before anything is added, Ply lets you link each line to a material you already have in your catalog. That way you don't end up with duplicates when the supplier calls a part something different than you do.
On the web app
Open the Quick PO and scroll to the bottom.
Click Upload packing slip and select your file. Ply processes it and suggests changes to the PO.
Click View changes to review what the AI read.
For any line that should be an item you already carry, click the + button on that line, search your catalog and pick the right material. Make sure you also select the correct variation.
Click Approve. The matched lines are replaced with your existing catalog materials and the PO is updated.
On the mobile app
Upload the packing slip as a PDF and Ply processes it in the background, so you don't need to stay on the screen. When it's ready, you'll see an Updates available banner on the PO. Open it to review the changes, including the old and new prices for each line, then approve or reject them.
š” Approving updates the PO, it doesn't add anything to stock yet. Once the materials arrive, receive and reconcile the PO as usual.
For the full walkthrough, see How to create and manage Purchase Orders in Ply.
ā”ļø Create a Quick PO on the mobile app
š± Available on iOS: Ply v1.8.12 or later. Android support is coming soon.
Open the menu (ā°) and go to Purchasing. Make sure you're on the Purchase Orders tab.
Tap the + in the top right corner.
In Add Purchase Order, select Quick PO.
Choose the Supplier (required) and, optionally, a Job.
Get your PO number. The confirmation screen shows the PO number along with the supplier, job, status (Draft) and who created it.
From the confirmation screen you can:
Copy number: copies the PO number so you can paste it anywhere.
Share: sends the PO number straight from your phone (text, email, etc.). Handy when the supplier needs it at the counter.
Add items: opens the PO so you can add materials right away.
Done: closes the screen. The PO stays in Draft so you can add the items later, from the app or the web.
š” Got the packing slip? Upload it to the Quick PO from the app and let Ply fill in the items for you. See Packing Slip Upload.
ā”ļø Best practices
ā Have the rest of the PO details handy when you send it.
A Quick PO only asks for supplier and job. When you mark it as Sent, Ply asks for the Required By date and the supplier email before it moves forward.
ā ServiceTitan users: add Required By before syncing.
POs that sync to ServiceTitan need that date, so set it before you move the PO forward.
ā Don't leave Quick POs sitting in Draft.
Add the items as soon as the purchase is confirmed so your stock and job costs stay accurate.
ā
Match packing slip lines to your catalog before approving.
Every unmatched line can end up as a new material, even if you already carry that part. Matching keeps one record per item, so your stock counts, min/max and costs stay in one place.
ā”ļø FAQs
Do I need to link a job?
No, Job is optional. Link it if the materials are for a specific job so the costs land in the right place.
Is Quick PO on the mobile app?
Yes, on iOS. Make sure your app is updated to Ply v1.8.12 or later. If you don't see it, update the app from the App Store and try again. Android support is coming soon.
Still need help?