How to Create a Solar BOQ and Hand It to Procurement in CrmLeaf
Solar CRM edition. Handing the BOQ to procurement requires the Purchase add-on module, and BOM grouping and RFQ features require the Manufacture add-on module. An Administrator must enable these for your…
Availability: Solar CRM edition. Handing the BOQ to procurement requires the Purchase add-on module, and BOM grouping and RFQ features require the Manufacture add-on module. An Administrator must enable these for your account.
Overview
The BOQ, or bill of quantities, lists everything the designed system needs in the quantities required. It is created from the solar estimate and assessment, and it is the handoff point between selling the job and buying the materials for it. Once the BOQ exists, it can be grouped into a BOM and taken into the procurement chain.
How It Works
The BOQ is built against the project's design, then grouped into a BOM. From there the standard CrmLeaf procurement chain takes over: quotes are requested from vendors, an accepted quote becomes a purchase order, delivery is tracked, and the delivered order is billed and paid.
Estimate → BOQ → BOM → RFQ / Vendor quote → Purchase order → Delivery & bill
- The BOQ and BOM screens in the Solar CRM edition are the same underlying screens the Construction CRM edition uses.
- With the Manufacture module enabled, vendor quotes can be generated from a project's BOQ for several vendors at once, and each vendor prices on a public link.
- Accepting a vendor quote stamps the quote reference on the purchase order, giving a traceable chain from BOQ through to vendor payment.
- Material actually issued to the job is recorded as material requisitions, and returned or consumed quantities feed BOQ reconciliation.
- Where the Budget module is enabled, purchase commitments and bills roll up as actuals against the project's budget lines.
Who Can Use This Feature?
User
- Create the BOQ for a solar job from its estimate and design.
- Group BOQ items into a BOM.
- Download the BOQ or BOM for sharing.
- Take the BOQ into procurement as an RFQ or a purchase order.
Access depends on the modules and role assigned by your Administrator.
Prerequisites
- A solar estimate and a settled assessment for the job. See How to Create Solar Estimates and Proposals.
- The products catalogue populated with the equipment you install.
- The Purchase add-on module enabled for procurement, and the Manufacture add-on module for BOM grouping and RFQ.
- Vendors on file, with price lists where you use them. See How to Add Vendors and Vendor Price Lists.
For Users
Step 1: Open the BOQ for the job
Open the BOQ for the project or site you are working. The BOQ belongs to the job, so make sure you are on the right one.
Step 2: Add the BOQ items
Select Add and enter each item the design requires, with its quantity. Work from the assessment so the grid type, inverter type and battery decision are reflected in what you list.
Step 3: Group the BOQ into a BOM
Group the BOQ items into a BOM so the job's material list can be handled as a unit. See How to Create a BOQ and Group It into a BOM.
Step 4: Request vendor pricing
Generate vendor quotes from the BOQ, send them to your vendors and collect their pricing. See How to Send an RFQ and Collect Vendor Quotes.
Step 5: Convert the accepted quote into a purchase order
Accept the winning quote and convert it into a purchase order, setting the delivery warehouse for the materials. See How to Convert an Accepted Vendor Quote into a Purchase Order.
Step 6: Track delivery and reconcile
Track the purchase order's delivery status, bill the delivered order, and record the material issued to the job as material requisitions. Returned and consumed quantities then reconcile against the BOQ.
Field and Option Reference
| Field / Option | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|
| BOQ item | A product or material the design requires. | Yes |
| Quantity | How much of the item the job needs. | Yes |
| BOM | The grouping of BOQ items handled as one material list. | No |
| Delivery warehouse | Where purchased material is received, set on the purchase order. | Yes on the purchase order |
Expected Result
The job's BOQ lists every item and quantity the design needs, is grouped into a BOM, and has produced vendor quotes or a purchase order so the material can be bought and received against the job.
Important Notes
- Menu names and their position can differ between product editions and can be customised for your account, so your sidebar may not match these paths exactly. Use Search or your Quick Access items if you cannot find a screen.
- Procurement depends on the Purchase add-on module, and BOM and RFQ features on the Manufacture add-on module. Confirm both are included in your plan before you rely on this handoff.
- A bill is created against a delivered, not-yet-billed purchase order, and each purchase order can be billed only once.
- Goods returns can be raised against a bill, purchase order, invoice, order, material requisition or a solar site, so wrongly supplied equipment can be returned from the point that suits.
- The Construction CRM edition reuses the same BOQ and BOM screens under construction terminology.
Common Scenarios
Example: buying panels for three jobs at once. Each job's BOQ is built from its own assessment. The BOQs are used to generate vendor quotes to three suppliers, the best price is accepted, and the resulting purchase order names the warehouse the panels are delivered to. Material is then issued to each job as requisitions, so consumption reconciles per job rather than per delivery.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Possible Cause | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| The BOQ screens are not available | The Manufacture or Purchase module is not enabled for the account | Ask an Administrator to confirm which add-on modules your plan includes |
| An item cannot be added to the BOQ | The product does not exist in the catalogue | Add the product to the catalogue first |
| A delivered purchase order does not appear when creating a bill | The order is not marked delivered, or it has already been billed | Confirm the delivery status, and remember each purchase order can be billed only once |
| BOQ quantities do not match what the crew used | Material issued to the job was not recorded as requisitions | Record requisitions and returns so consumption reconciles |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the Purchase module to create a BOQ?
The BOQ is part of the vertical, but handing it to procurement needs the Purchase module, and BOM grouping and RFQ need the Manufacture module.
Can I send one BOQ to several vendors?
Yes. Vendor quotes can be generated from a project's BOQ for several vendors, each pricing on their own public link.
How do I see planned against used material?
Record material issued to the job as requisitions. Returned and consumed quantities feed BOQ reconciliation.
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