What Does "PO" to a Vendor Mean?  by Wilhelm Schnotz
Purchasing goods from a vendor for your business doesn't follow
the same process as purchasing goods for personal use from a
store. Because of sales volumes and the need to track inbound
and outbound shipments and payments, many vendors require
customers to provide them with a purchase order, or PO, before
they finalize an order. A purchase order is a document that
signals your commitment to purchase goods from a vendor at an
agreed rate.      Purchase Order Basics      A purchase order is
a formal order for goods you give to a vendor in order to
complete a transaction. It’s a formally binding contract to
purchase goods or services, and should include all details of
your transaction, including the price per unit you negotiated,
as well as the number of each item purchased, including details
such as style and color. Many purchase orders also formalize
payment and shipping terms. Each purchase order your company
issues should be uniquely numbered to trac