Worksheets

The Worksheet Module is a powerful and flexible tool designed for collecting detailed, structured information from suppliers. While it can be used for pricing, its true power lies in its ability to capture any type of information, making it an essential tool for complex sourcing events that go beyond simple price comparisons.

Worksheets are sometimes referred to as bidsheets They are a critical component of **multi-dimensional bidding**, where suppliers are evaluated on a variety of factors beyond just price, such as technical capabilities, quality standards, and compliance with regulations.

While the **Line Item Module** is perfect for straightforward procurement of goods and services with defined quantities, the **Worksheet Module** excels in scenarios where you need to capture complex, multi-faceted information. Worksheets are ideal for:

• Complex Pricing Structures: Include details on rate cards, tiered pricing, and cost breakdowns.

• Non-Pricing Information: Cover technical specifications, compliance data, and quality assurance metrics.

• Multi-Dimensional Bidding: Assess suppliers using various criteria beyond just price.

Real-World Applications of Non-Pricing Worksheets

Use Case	Industry	Purpose
Chemical Specifications	Manufacturing	Ensure compliance and suitability for production
Technical Product Configuration	Hardware/Components	Document detailed product specs before pricing
Quality Assurance / Audit Readiness	Pharma/Med Device	Assess supplier process maturity and compliance
Software Compliance & Architecture	SaaS/Software	Perform technical due diligence prior to negotiations

Adding a Worksheet to an Event

1. In the event full-page view, find the Add module or Add worksheet button.

2. Click Add Worksheet.

3. A Worksheet module will appear in the event layout.

Note: You can add multiple worksheets in the worksheet section. However, the Worksheet Module can only be added to events in Draft status; it cannot be added to event templates.

Building Your Worksheet

You have two main ways to build your worksheet:

1. Create a Worksheet from Scratch

This option lets you create a worksheet directly within the Fairmarkit platform, giving you full control over the structure and fields.

1. In the Worksheet module, find the option to Add worksheet.

2. Click to create your first worksheet and enter a Title.

3. Click the plus sign to add a new line to the worksheet.

4. Choose a column type to add to your worksheet. You can add multiple columns to capture all necessary data.

2. Upload a Worksheet from a File

Easily create a worksheet in Fairmarkit by uploading an existing Excel rate card or pricing sheet.

1. To create a worksheet in Fairmarkit, follow these steps:

   1. Open a worksheet in Fairmarkit.

   2. Click the Upload button.

   3. Upload your file with the pricing structure and necessary details.

   4. Use the Import option to upload your completed file.

   Fairmarkit will analyze the file and map it to the appropriate data types, building the worksheet structure for the event.

Tip! This feature is perfect for bulk uploads and repurposing pricing structures from prior events.

Worksheet Column Data Types

Worksheets can include a range of column data types, each with specific validation rules to maintain data quality:

Data Type	Description
Text	Free-form text entry
Number	Numeric values
Money	Currency values
Attachment	Allows file/document uploads directly in cells
Single select	Dropdown with one selection allowed
Multiple select	Dropdown allowing multiple selections
Boolean (True/Not)	Yes/No toggle
Date	Date picker with validation
Time	Time entry with validation
Phone number	Phone number with format validation
Email	Email address with format validation
URL	Web address with format validation
UOM	Unit of Measure selector (based on org's UOM list)
Formula	Arithmetic operations (+, -, ×, ÷) between number/currency columns

Defining Buyer vs. Supplier Fields

Worksheets are powerful tools that allow you to specify whether the buyer or supplier provides information for each column, creating structured and interactive bidsheets.

• Buyer-Input Fields: These fields are pre-filled by the buyer with context or instructions. They are typically locked and read-only for suppliers.

• Supplier-Input Fields: Suppliers complete these fields with their responses such as pricing, lead times, or technical specifications.

Each field can be designated as either buyer-input or supplier-input and can be marked as required or optional.

Buyer-Input Fields: Visible to Suppliers

These are fields pre-filled by the buyer to provide context or instructions to the supplier.

Field Name	Purpose	Example Use Case
Service Description	Clarify scope of work	“Network setup for 3 locations”
Item Specification / SKU	Technical specs for bidding	“124-XY-88, 2U Server Rack, 128GB RAM”
Lane Name / Route Info	Define origin-destination route	“Shanghai → LA Port (Ocean Freight)”
Delivery Location	Where goods should be delivered	“123 Main St, Dallas, TX”
Required Certifications	Compliance requirements	“ISO 9001, FDA Registered”

Buyer-Input Fields: Hidden from Suppliers

These are internal reference fields used by the buyer for evaluation, reporting, or workflow automation. They are never shown to suppliers.

Field Name	Purpose	Example Use Case
Internal Target Cost / Budget	Internal benchmark for comparison	Target unit cost = $8.50
Business Unit / Cost Center	Allocate spend to an internal department	“BU: IT Infrastructure / GL: 5030”
PR/PO Reference ID	Link event to an ERP document	“PR#123456”
Risk Score / Risk Tier	Internal risk rating	“Supplier Risk = Medium”
Stakeholder Notes / Comments	Internal notes about suppliers	“Supplier A delivered late last year”