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How to Use Vendor Insights

  • Updated

Table of Contents

Summary

You have questions and Vendor Insights has answers! Ask a single question, but get answers from each of your vendor records simultaneously. This article will help you understand how to do the following:

  • Search for a single answer across all the vendors in your Vendor Catalog
  • Easily access previous questions and their answer history
  • Eliminate the need for manual, vendor-by-vendor reviews

Before Getting Started:

  • Ensure your vendors have Smart Search enabled. Enable them individually from the Vendor Detail page, or in bulk from the Vendors menu - learn how here. 
  • Questions, not keywords, work best. AI produces much more accurate results when it knows specifically what question you are trying to answer.

*If you want access to a feature not currently enabled or would like to increase your allotment, please contact your Whistic Customer Success Manager or reach out to cs@whistic.com

Generate New Vendor Insights

  1. Open up Vendors from the Main Menu
  2. Select the vendors to include in your search. There aren't any limitations to the number of vendors you can select. However, using the available filters will help you create a targeted and efficient query. 
  3. From the Actions dropdown > select Vendor InsightsScreenshot 2024-11-13 at 9.41.19 AM.png
  4. A window will appear. You'll see the question entry box, as well as a confirmation of the vendors included in your query. Note - If a vendor has not been enabled for Vendor Insights/Smart Search, their name will be highlighted red with an indicator that they won't be included in the query. 
    Screen Shot 2024-05-23 at 10.46.25 AM.png
  5. Ask your question! Keep in mind, the more specific, the better 
  6. A new page will open. Allow a moment for processing, we are working hard! A table will appear with the vendors and associated answers. 
    Screen Shot 2024-05-23 at 10.49.07 AM.png
  7. Select View Details to dig deeper into each answer, including, opening the Vendor Detail page and expanding on the answer results. You'll be able to review the source of the answer, get an answer explanation and evaluate the answer confidence. 
  8. Should an unknown answer populate you can request updated information from the Vendor and then leverage the Retry option to pull in those new details, once shared back. 
  9. If you select a line, the Actions menu will be available.Screenshot 2024-11-13 at 9.37.24 AM.png
  10. The options shown are detailed below the image.

    Ask New Question
    This will allow you to ask a new question from the dialog prompt that will show.
    Ask Same Question
    This will re-run the current question and is used for when new data has been supplied that you want to review.
    Bulk Questionnaire Request
    This allows you to send questionnaire requests from this screen for the vendors that are selected.
    Bulk Questionnaire Cancel
    This allows you to cancel any questionnaire requests from this screen for the vendors that are selected.
    Export Results
    This allows you to export out the AI findings for the vendors that are selected.
  11. You can also filter based on answers returned using the filter bar a the top.
    Before

    After

See Previous Vendor Insights

A few things to point out for previous Insights:

  • While not all users can generate new Insights, any user that has access to the Vendors menu page can access previous queries
  • Save time by checking if your question has already been answered. Check the date of the previous query and review the existing answers 

To see previous Insights, do the following:

  1. Open the Vendors menu page
  2. From the Actions dropdown > select View Vendor Insights HistoryScreenshot 2024-11-13 at 9.39.10 AM.png
  3. Look through and choose from the Previously Asked Questions in the table or search for previous queries by keyword
  4. View the results and select See Details for more information
  5. Should you not require the question, you can click the 'Remove' link at the right to delete the question.
  6. Once removed they are not able to be restored, but you can see the question in the Reporting Suite by going to the Vendor Insights report, toggling the Insight Status column.
    It will show as Archived in the Insight Status column.  The Answer won't show, but the question will.

FAQ

  • If a vendor has recently provided updated information, how do I have that answer reflect when using Vendor Insights?
    • If you have already asked the question for that vendor and an unknown answer populated, we recommend going to the Vendor Insights History and conducting the following:
      • Open the history
      • Locate the question that was asked
      • Click Retry on that vendor line that displays the unknown
      • The AI will then populate any updated information to include sources that the vendor has provided
  • Does the Retry option use a license for Vendor Insights?
    • No, only new searches will impact the license amount provided. 

What's Next

  • Do you only need answers for one vendor? Use Smart Search for Vendor Details - more HERE.