Composite Items & Purchase Orders

Composite Items & Purchase Orders

The Composite Item is great way to bundle different products and services into a single line and sell it as a single line item in Estimates, Sales Orders and Invoices.

However, on the other side - i,e,. Purchasing - this item creates quite a bit of a mess and is completely useless (unless I really don't understand how to use it 😉).

ISSUE #1
The composite item, could potentially, include items from different vendors. This would require creating a purchase order for each vendor with the relevant items. However, this is not possible because when placing the composite item in a purchase order - It shows the name and SKU number of the composite number which is meaningless to the vendor. 
There is a workaround to copy the description of the items - when editing the composite item -  into the composite item's description. This will list the items and their SKU numbers which you can then cut and paste into the purchase description. However, as I mentioned before, if the composite item includes items from different vendors then this method gets messy and confusing to the vendors as they will see unrelated SKU numbers next to their SKU numbers.

Let's continue to the next issue.....

ISSUE #2
Let's ignore for a second the 1st issue....
Assuming we have a composite item, containing 2 items from the same vendor. 
We place the item in a purchase order and send it to the vendor. The purchase order contains a single line item, showing the composite part number and SKU number that we created.
Now, we received 1 out of the 2 items in the composite item. When trying to process "Received Items" there is no way to update the PO because the item we received doesn't match the PO which contains only 1 composite item. 
Furthermore, imagine you sent multiple purchase orders with multiple composite items. When you start to receive the actual items - there is no way to know to which PO they belong or to in which composite item they belong.
and, since the system would not allow exceeding the ordered quantities - there is no way to receive these items.

Obviously, this issue needs to be rectified as the composite item cannot be used for Sales and Purchasing.

SUGGESTION
One way to resolve both issues is by allowing to break the composite item back into individual items when creating a purchase order. With this way, the user can delete the irrelevant items and create multiple purchase orders for multiple vendors.
When receiving items from the vendors, the user can then update the PO so it can be closed when all items have been received.

CONCLUSION
While the composite item is great for selling, it is almost useless for purchasing. 
Not sure how Zoho missed this one but it should be fixed sooner rather than later. 

Any thoughts?


      Zoho Campaigns Resources


        • Desk Community Learning Series


        • Digest


        • Functions


        • Meetups


        • Kbase


        • Resources


        • Glossary


        • Desk Marketplace


        • MVP Corner


        • Word of the Day


        • Ask the Experts


          Zoho CRM Plus Resources

            Zoho Books Resources


              Zoho Subscriptions Resources

                Zoho Projects Resources


                  Zoho Sprints Resources


                    Zoho Orchestly Resources


                      Zoho Creator Resources


                        Zoho WorkDrive Resources



                          Zoho CRM Resources

                          • CRM Community Learning Series

                            CRM Community Learning Series


                          • Tips

                            Tips

                          • Functions

                            Functions

                          • Meetups

                            Meetups

                          • Kbase

                            Kbase

                          • Resources

                            Resources

                          • Digest

                            Digest

                          • CRM Marketplace

                            CRM Marketplace

                          • MVP Corner

                            MVP Corner




                            Zoho Writer Writer

                            Get Started. Write Away!

                            Writer is a powerful online word processor, designed for collaborative work.

                              Zoho CRM コンテンツ






                                ご検討中の方

                                  • Recent Topics

                                  • Invoicing multiple expense items as a single line item

                                          My client would like me to invoice them for multiple expense items on a single line item on an invoice.  Can this be done?  I know I can import billable expenses to an invoice, but I don't know how to show them as a single line item or have them
                                  • Zoho Books | Product updates | November 2025

                                    Hello users, We’ve rolled out new features and enhancements in Zoho Books. From translating email notification templates to the new transaction locking restrictions, explore the updates designed to enhance your bookkeeping experience. Making Tax Digital
                                  • Tables improvement ideas / features

                                    Heya, I've been using Zoho Tables for a few months now and wanted to post some features that I think will be greatly beneficial for the tool: 1. Ability to delete a record in automation or move a record in automation. - Usecase: I move a record from one
                                  • Announcing offline payment modes for event tickets

                                    Hello everyone,   Collecting ticket payments from prospective attendees can be a tricky part of event planning. While Zoho Backstage has always allowed you to collect payments online as people buy tickets from your event microsite, we have now enabled
                                  • What is going on with GMail extension.

                                    Suddenly, it is popping up and saying "Please wait while we work our magic... 10%" and it sits there. Yesterday I waited for an entire hour call and it never got further. Today, it's not resolved. Is there a fix I can do? I've tried all the typical
                                  • Gmail is ramping up its email sender policy from November 2025

                                    Hello marketers, As you may be aware, Gmail introduced a guideline for bulk senders starting February 2024. If not, here's a quick refresher straight from Google: After this policy was announced first in 2023 and soft-implemented in February 2024, we
                                  • Collapsible Sections & Section Navigation Needed

                                    The flexibility of Zoho CRM has expanded greatly in the last few years, to the point that a leads module is now permissible to contain up to 350 fields. We don't use that many, but we are using 168 fields which are broken apart into 18 different sections.
                                  • Gmail is ramping up its email sender policy as of November 2025

                                    Hello marketers, As you may be aware, Gmail introduced a guideline for bulk senders starting February 2024. If not, here's a quick refresher straight from Google: After this policy was announced first in 2023 and soft-implemented in February 2024, we
                                  • Deluge Error Code 1002 - "Resource does not exist."

                                    I am using the following script in a Custom Button on a Sales Return. Basically, the function takes the information in the sales return (plus the arguments that are entered by the user when the button is pushed) and creates a return shipping label via
                                  • Zoho Analytics Export API

                                    Hi Team, I’m working on some integration tasks and wanted to confirm if it’s possible to retrieve a Zoho Analytics table as JSON data using a Deluge script. I’ve already stored my custom data from multiple sources and combined it into a single source.
                                  • Item images

                                    Can we get an "On hover" expanded image for items please ?
                                  • Ability to Create and Manage YouTube Video Chapters in Zoho Social

                                    Hi Zoho Social Team, How are you? We would like to request an enhancement to Zoho Social that would allow users to create and manage YouTube video chapters directly within the platform. Currently, Zoho Social does not support manually adding chapters
                                  • What happens to my current site SEO if i opt for zoho creator?

                                    I have an existing website and I need to use Zoho creators for the rapid creation of my webpage creation. Currently, my IT team is creating the web pages, but I am concerned about the SEO of my current website if I shift to zoho will i loose it all?
                                  • Automatic Portal invite

                                    We have numerous customers we move through a blueprint in deals, when they get to a certain point we need to give them portal access, how can this be done through deluge or a workflow?
                                  • Preview Emails with Merge Fields before sending

                                    Hello, Are there plans to preview an email with merge fields before sending out? Currently, all you see in the preview are the merge field values, but before I send out the email I want to make sure the merge is working. Also, the saved emails only show
                                  • User Filter not selecting All Items

                                    We are encountering 2 issues when using the user filter. When users are trying to search using the filter option, the OK button is grayed out. Users have to unselect or make a change before it filters properly. 2. When filtering and the OK button works,
                                  • Support Nested JavaScript Variables in PageSense Pop-up Targeting

                                    Hello Zoho PageSense Team, I hope you're doing well. I’d like to request a feature enhancement for the PageSense pop-up targeting functionality. Current Limitation: Currently, PageSense pop-ups can be triggered using simple JavaScript variables. However,
                                  • Cannot Invert Axis for Rankings

                                    Hi there I want to be able to create a ranking graph in Analytics/BI, with 1 at the top of the Y axis, but I am unable to invert the axis. Super simple example in Excel below. Higher rankings need to be higher up on the graph to give the correct visual
                                  • How to copy value from a single line field into a picklist field within a module's subform?

                                    Hello there, I have a single line field in a module's subform. I would like the value in the field to automatically update a picklist field within the same subform (both have items with the same names). Is this possible via function? Unfortunately, workflows
                                  • Committed Stock and To Be Received Stock via API?

                                    Is it possible to retrieve Committed Stock and/or To Be Received Stock for an Item via the API? I want to use this information for calculating the amount of inventory needed to be purchased.
                                  • Creating Email template that attaches file uploaded in specific field.

                                    If there's a way to do this using Zoho CRM's built-in features, then this has eluded me! I'm looking to create a workflow that automatically sends an email upon execution, and that email includes an attachment uploaded in a specific field. Email templates
                                  • Marketer’s Space - Automate a Personalized Holiday Workflow with Zoho Campaigns

                                    Hello marketers, Welcome back to another post in Marketer’s Space! From Thanksgiving through Christmas, you have a flurry of opportunities to connect with your audience. In this post, we’ll see how you can plan an entire month-long automated workflow
                                  • Zoho Inventory Custom Field Update

                                    Hello All, In this post I am describing how can we Update the Custom Field Value in Zoho Inventory. // Get Org ID orgid = organization.get("organization_id"); // Field Value resvp = ifnull(item.get("purchase_rate"),null); // Record ID iid = item.get("item_id");
                                  • Sorting columns in Zoho Projects

                                    Hi, In project management best practice, sorting columns (ascending, descending) is an important tool. Sorting dates to see the order of tasks starting, sorting on priority or even on planned hours is a must for an efficient project control. Currently,
                                  • Zoho CRM - Calendar Cards View - Let Users Decide What Is Displayed On Calendar Entries

                                    Imagine planning your week of face-to-face meetings across three counties. You’re trying to group appointments by location to make the best use of your time, but Zoho CRM’s calendar doesn’t show where each meeting is happening. You’re left trying to remember
                                  • Explore the Redesigned Quotes Module in Zoho Billing

                                    Dear users, We’re excited to introduce a refreshed look for the Quotes details page in Zoho Billing! This update brings you a more efficient user interface experience without changing your existing workflow. We've enhanced layouts with organized tabs,
                                  • Zoho Inventory - How to pay a supplier up front then receive multiple deliveries

                                    How do we manage situations where we pay a supplier up front, then the receive the products in increments? Example Workflow: Create Purchase Order > Receive Bill for full amount > Receive Items 2 or more deliveries. Currently, once a Bill is created against
                                  • How can I add or change the active customer in Zoho Projects?

                                    I'm trying to change the customer in an active Zoho project. Is it possible to add or change the customer?
                                  • Almacenamiento

                                    Hola, Quisiera saber como podría hacer para bajar el almacenamiento de 5gb a mis usuarios, en otras palabras los quiero ir limitando de la cuota real, y luego ir agregando poco a poco la cantidad hasta llegar a los 5gb que me dan en el plan free. 
                                  • What happens when someone clicks 'unsubscribe' in a zoho CRM email

                                    Hello, As per, i am going round in circles trying to find an answer to these 2 question. I have an email template that has an unsubscribe link in the footer in zoho CRM. First, what happens when someone clicks it - where does the contact get unsubscribed
                                  • Nimble enhancements to WhatsApp for Business integration in Zoho CRM: Enjoy context and clarity in business messaging

                                    Dear Customers, We hope you're well! WhatsApp for business is a renowned business messaging platform that takes your business closer to your customers; it gives your business the power of personalized outreach. Using the WhatsApp for Business integration
                                  • Zoho CRM - Scheduled Reports Which Contain Chart

                                    Hi Zoho CRM Team, I'm requesting that the Report Export and Scheduling feature be enhanced to include a chart, if one has been created on a report. At the moment I have a report which shows Sales This Week by Deal Owner and a pie chart at the top of the
                                  • Can I add Conditional merge tags on my Templates?

                                    Hi I was wondering if I can use Conditional Mail Merge tags inside my Email templates/Quotes etc within the CRM? In spanish and in our business we use gender and academic degree salutations , ie: Dr., Dra., Sr., Srta., so the beginning of an email / letter
                                  • Cadences

                                    I have just started using Cadences for follow-up up email pipeline. Is it just me or do you find the functionality very basic? For example, it will tell me (if I go looking for it) if someone has replied to a follow-up and been unenrolled; but it won't
                                  • Canvas View in Zoho Recruit

                                    Is it possible or would it be possible to have the new 'Canvas View' in Zoho Recruit?
                                  • Zoho Inventory - Move Orders

                                    Quick question about Move Orders... Why is there no status to say something like "Draft", "In Progress" and "Completed", similar to Transfer Orders? I'm assuming that when something needs to be moved it should be planned in Inventory, executed and then
                                  • Kaizen #215 - Workflow APIs - Part 3 - Create and Update Workflow Rules

                                    Welcome back to another week of Kaizen! Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve joined Zylker Cloud Services as they review and improve their workflows. In Part 1, we discovered and audited their sprawling workflow landscape. In Part 2, we learned how to
                                  • DataPrep Bigquery Connection failed

                                    Hello everybody, I want to create a connnection beetwen Bigquery and Dataprep but when I try to connect my project I got this error Loading tables has failed. Table list fetched from the data source expired.
                                  • Utilisation de Zoho en conformité avec l’article 286 du Code général des impôts (CGI)

                                    Cher(e) client(e), Conformément à l’article 286 du Code général des impôts (CGI) impose aux entreprises assujetties à la TVA d’utiliser des systèmes de caisse ou de gestion commerciale certifiés lorsqu’elles enregistrent des ventes à des particuliers.
                                  • Issue in Zoho People Regularization – Incorrect Hour Calculation

                                    I have noticed that when applying attendance regularization in Zoho People for previous dates, the total working hours are not calculated correctly. For example, even if the check-in is 10:00 AM and check-out is 6:00 PM, the system shows an incorrect
                                  • Next Page