Create a buy matrix cell if you have a commodity line, like pipe, that you might buy from many different manufacturers. For example, you might send a request for a quote to all of your suppliers. Then set up a cost matrix cell for each vendor for the product to compare pricing formulas in purchase order entry to see which vendor offers the lowest cost.
When you order the item in Purchase Order Entry, access the Header window and enter the name of a regular vendor and compare the costs for the same item from that vendor.
These cells reflect the current cost for each vendor while maintaining a matrix cell for each vendor in Quick Buy Matrix Maintenance that has the normal cost for the item.