Purchase Order (PO)
Quick answer
The official document by which you buy from a supplier: agreed products, quantities, prices and terms.
Key takeaways
- Issue - the buyer creates and sends the PO
- Confirmation - the supplier accepts or proposes changes (ORDRSP in EDI)
- Delivery - accompanied by an ASN / DESADV
- Invoicing - the supplier's invoice references the PO
- Closure - after receipt and matching (3-way match)
What a purchase order is
A Purchase Order (PO) is the document issued by the buyer to the supplier, specifying products, quantities, prices, dates and delivery terms. It is the legal and accounting basis of the purchase.
PO lifecycle
- Issue - the buyer creates and sends the PO
- Confirmation - the supplier accepts or proposes changes (ORDRSP in EDI)
- Delivery - accompanied by an ASN / DESADV
- Invoicing - the supplier's invoice references the PO
- Closure - after receipt and matching (3-way match)
Why it matters
A clear, confirmed PO prevents disputes: everyone knows what, how much, at what price and when. It is the anchor for receipt, invoicing and document matching.
How CRMconnect helps
CRMconnect publishes POs in the supplier portal or sends them via EDI (ORDERS), collects confirmations and links them to ASNs and invoices for automatic matching in the ERP.
Real-world example
A retailer sent POs by e-mail, and suppliers sometimes delivered wrong quantities. After sending POs via portal/EDI with mandatory confirmation, delivery discrepancies fell, and invoice matching became automatic.
Last updated:
Frequently asked
Difference between a PO and an invoice?+
The PO is issued by the buyer before delivery (what they want to buy); the invoice is issued by the supplier after delivery (what must be paid). Matching them (plus receipt) is 3-way match.
What does confirming a PO mean?+
The supplier accepts the PO as-is or proposes changes (price, quantity, date). In EDI, this message is ORDRSP (order response).
Where CRMconnect fits
Related terms
Supplier portal
A platform where suppliers see your orders, confirm dates, send ASNs and invoices, and track their payments.
B2B commerceSupplier order confirmation
The supplier's response to a purchase order: acceptance, rejection or proposed changes.
Finance3-way match
The control that compares the purchase order, the receipt and the invoice before approving payment.
FinanceProcure-to-Pay (P2P)
The end-to-end procurement cycle: request → order → receipt → invoice → payment → reconciliation.