How to - Diversity Data Enrichment

Here’s the fastest and easiest way to get your suppliers into the system using our simple Excel upload template.

Why Do You Need to Upload Suppliers/Enrich Data?

Uploading suppliers into the system is typically one of the first tasks after activating your system. The supplier data you load makes it easier to complete tasks and activities related to your suppliers. Enriching your suppliers while loading them into the system may also provide additional details you did not already have.

What Does the System Do with the Data?

The supplier data you upload can be used for various purposes, such as:

• Viewing compliance and risk profiles for each company
• Identifying the diversity of your supplier base for Diversity & Inclusion reporting
• Issuing purchase orders
• Engaging suppliers to update their profile information
• Paying suppliers using virtual payment tools
• Collecting diversity reports from your suppliers
• And much more...

How Do You Do This?

There is a detailed step-by-step explanation later on, but the basic steps are:

1. Download a CSV template
2. Fill it out
3. Upload it
4. Enrich the data
5. Review the results

How Long Does It Take to Process?

The processing time depends on the number of suppliers in your list. We recommend planning for about 4-8 hours after submitting your upload, although it may be completed in a much shorter time. The system will send you an email alert when the upload is complete.

Can Supplier Uploads/Data Enrichment Be Automated?

Yes, you can automate the upload process using APIs that allow you to transfer supplier data from your internal system to SupplierGATEWAY. You can read more about the APIs on the Developers page.

CLICK HERE to view in Zendesk.

How To: Data Enrichment

Step 1 - Downloading

Download and populate the built-in CSV template from the Data Enrichment console by clicking on the Template Download icon.

Step 2 - Fill Out the Template

Open the template and complete all required, recommended, and optional fields you have data for.

1. Required Fields:
   
   
   • Company Name*
   • Supplier/Vendor Internal Number*
   • Address
   • City
   • Country
   • State (when applicable)
   • Zip (when applicable)
2. Recommended Fields:
   • TIN/EIN
   • Email
3. Optional Fields: (in black)
   
   

Step 3 - Upload Supplier Data

1. Click on the Create New Job link.
2. Click Upload to upload a new data template.
3. Find the file on your desktop by clicking the Browse button, then click on the Load File button

          *You may select Data already in the system if you choose to scrub your existing data

4. The system will check the template to ensure all data is in the right place. If using your own template, you may need to map the fields in your Excel document to the upload fields the system recognizes.
5. Click on the Process File button to start the upload.

Step 4 - Enrich the Data

You may enrich your data by requesting a data file once you receive notification that the upload processing is complete.

Step 5 - Review Results

You will be notified once the filing is complete. Select Download Requested Data File to receive a file type of your choice.

How Long Will My Upload Take?

The processing time depends on the number of records in your file and the number of requests in the queue. Typically, uploads are complete within about 1 hour or less. However, you may experience longer wait times if things are busy. You will receive an email when your upload file has been processed, and an alert will appear in the system once processing is completed. Enriching your data typically takes an additional 1-2 hours, depending on the number of files requested.

What If There Were Issues with My Data?

After receiving notification that your upload processing is complete, log in to the Data Enrichment console to review records. You will be notified of any unsuccessful uploads at this portal. Processing metrics will be provided for all uploads. Common reasons for unsuccessful processing include missing data fields and incorrect data field mapping when using your own Excel template. For more information, please review the diversity data enrichment walkthrough.

CLICK HERE to view in Zendesk.

Data Enrichment Tips & Tricks

Unfortunately, there are no magic bullets for data enrichment.

You can think about data enrichment from a “good, better, best” standpoint. The more complete the data you include in your upload file, the better the results. We understand that you may rely on the system to help improve and complete your supplier data, so blank spots should not alarm you unduly. Providing unique identifiers such as TaxID will improve your results when enriching your data.

Good

Required Fields: Each supplier upload must include the company name and supplier/vendor number. Records without these fields will be left out of the upload process.

• Company name - to identify the supplier
• Your internal vendor reference/number – to use the data we return to you more easily

Better

Recommended Fields: For best results, the following fields are highly recommended:

• Tax ID/EIN – to avoid creating duplicates in the system
• Address, City, Country – to make it easier to match your suppliers

Best

Supplier Engagement: Our tool can automatically connect with your suppliers and have them update their profile data and fill in any blanks, such as certifications, insurance, W-9s, etc. Ensure you include email addresses so the system can automatically reach out and guide them on what to do.

• Primary contact email – to automatically engage your suppliers to update their profiles
• Company Demographics – to use for reporting and analysis
• Primary NAICS – to help with economic impact reporting

Data Enrichment: Outreach to Suppliers

When a data enrichment is executed on your portal, you may find some suppliers marked as diverse with an Identified or Classified status. These suppliers are great targets for an outreach campaign to get them into your new system and registered to potentially provide self-certification. Your Client Success Manager can assist you with starting a campaign. If you have additional questions, please contact your client success manager for assistance.