Explore how industries, jobs, rates, suppliers, and templates work together in workforce procurement
Workforce procurement configuration provides the structure used to organize positions, rates, suppliers, and request requirements within Beeline Enterprise. Procurement Administration consists of several related components that work together to support workforce requests, supplier participation, and rate management. These components are configured within an Industry and reused throughout the procurement process.
This article serves as the starting point for the Procurement category and provides a reference guide to the core components used throughout workforce procurement administration.
Jump to what you want
Most procurement activities are built on a common set of configuration objects that determine:
- What work can be requested
- How work is priced
- Which suppliers can participate
- What requirements must be met
- How requests are created and managed
Why it matters
- Provides the framework used for workforce procurement activities.
- Establishes consistent job, rate, and supplier structures.
- Supports standardized request creation and management.
- Helps ensure procurement configurations are applied consistently across Industries.
Who it's for
- Program Office users
- System Admins
- Users responsible for supplier, rate, and request setup
How it helps
- Understand the purpose of key procurement components.
- Identify where procurement records are configured.
- Learn how procurement records are used together.
- Build a foundation for workforce procurement administration..
Information in this article reflects a standard Enterprise configuration. Your Enterprise platform is based on your organization’s configuration. Settings and/or data visibility rules may vary slightly from what is described.
How procurement configuration works
Procurement Administration is made up of several related components, each serving a specific purpose within the workforce procurement process. Understanding what each component does and how it is used can help you identify where procurement records are configured and maintained.
Procurement configuration at a glance
| Component | Purpose | Used by |
|---|---|---|
| Procurement Geography | Organizes procurement configuration by region or organizational structure | Industries |
| Industry | Contains procurement records and settings | Job Classes, Rate Cards, Suppliers, Request Templates |
| Job Class | Groups similar positions | Job Titles, Rate Cards, Request Templates |
| Job Title | Represents a specific position | Request Templates |
| Rate Card Class | Connects positions to rate structures | Rate Cards, Request Templates |
| Rate Card Category | Organizes rates into classifications | Rate Cards |
| Rate Card | Defines pricing and billing rules | Request Templates, Workforce Requests |
| Supplier Association | Provides workers or services | Supplier-specific Rate Cards, Request Templates |
| Request Template | Combines procurement components into a reusable request configuration | Workforce Requests |
Procurement structure
Procurement configuration is organized into several related structures that define positions, rates, suppliers, and request requirements. Each structure serves a distinct purpose and helps establish the information used throughout workforce procurement activities. Together, these components provide the framework that supports supplier participation, rate management, and workforce request creation.
Industry structure
Industry is the top level of the Procurement section and serves as the primary container for procurement configuration. Most procurement administration activities occur within a specific Industry.
Industries contain:
- Request Types
- Job Classes
- Job Titles
- Rate Card Classes
- Rate Card Categories
- Rate Cards
- Supplier associations
- Request Templates
Some Industry-level settings are informational only and can be modified only through your Client Services Representative. These settings include:
- Request Creation Mode
- Markup Calculation Type
- Calendar configuration and holidays
- Assignment overlap warnings
- Validation settings
- Tenure Policy and Enforcement settings
Request configuration
Request Types define how requests behave and which settings are applied when requests are created. Request Type settings are specific to each Industry.
Many Request Type settings are configured as:
- Optional
- Required
- Does Not Apply
These settings are commonly referred to as burned-in settings.
Burned-in settings
Some Request Type settings are copied to a Request when the Request is created. Once the Request is created, those settings do not automatically change when the Request Type is updated later.
For example:
- A field may be required when a Request is created.
- The Request Type may later be changed so that field is optional or no longer used.
- Existing Requests retain their original settings.
- New Requests use the updated Request Type configuration.
This behavior helps maintain a consistent experience for users working with existing Requests, Offers, and related procurement records.
Job structure
Job structures define the positions available for workforce procurement.
| Component | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Job Class | Groups similar positions into a common classification. |
| Job Title | Represents a specific position within a Job Class. |
Job Classes and Job Titles help organize workforce positions and provide the foundation for rate and request configurations.
Rate structure
Rate structures define how positions are priced and billed.
| Component | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Rate Card Class | Connects a position to a rate structure. |
| Rate Card Category | Provides additional classification for rate structures. |
| Rate Card | Defines rates, earning codes, overtime rules, and billing options. |
Rate Card Category 1 is typically used to organize rates by geography or another broad classification. Rate Card Category 2 may be used when additional classification is required.
Supplier structure
Suppliers must be associated with an Industry before they can participate in procurement activities.
Supplier associations can control:
- Request participation
- Project participation
- Supplier rotations
- Preferred supplier status
- Supplier-specific procurement settings
Request structure
A Request Template combines procurement components into a reusable request configuration.
Request Templates are built from:
- Job Class
- Job Title
- Rate Card Class
They may also include:
- Supplier associations
- Certifications
- Skills
- Background checks
- Request requirements
Request Templates help standardize workforce request creation.
Important behavior
| Consideration | Impact |
|---|---|
| Procurement records are configured within an Industry. | Most procurement administration activities begin by selecting an Industry. |
| Some Request Type settings are burned into Requests when they are created. | Changes to a Request Type may affect future Requests but not existing Requests. |
| Fields configured as Optional, Required, or Does Not Apply are typically burned into the Request. | Existing Requests can behave differently from newly created Requests after Request Type changes are made. |
| Supplier associations are Industry-specific. | A supplier can exist in the supplier master list but not participate in a specific Industry. |
| Request Templates are built from existing procurement records. | Job Classes, Job Titles, and Rate Card Classes should exist before Request Templates are created. |
| Many procurement records depend on active records. | Inactive records may not be available for selection in downstream configurations. |
Additional considerations
- Establish Job Classes and Job Titles before creating Rate Cards.
- Associate suppliers before configuring supplier-specific Rate Cards and Request Templates.
- Review existing records before creating new ones to avoid duplication.
- Periodically review procurement records to ensure they remain accurate and active.
Availability and setup
Access to Admin > Procurement is required to manage procurement records.
Before you begin
Before configuring procurement records, understand:
- How Procurement Geographies are structured within your organization.
- Which Industries you are responsible for maintaining.
- Which procurement components are used within your workforce program.
- Any organization-specific standards for naming, classification, rates, and suppliers.
Learn more
The following articles explain how to configure individual procurement components:
- Add a job class
- Add a job title
- Add a rate card class
- Add a rate card category 1
- Add a rate card
- Copy a rate card
- Add supplier-specific rate cards
- Designate fixed markups
- Associate suppliers with an Industry
- Create a request template
Persona
ClientsProgram office users
Modules
Administration
Documentation release
Beeline Enterprise | Q3 2026
Feedback? Email us: