The return to supplier process takes the return material authorization (RMA) process one step further. Sometimes you may need to send an item returned from the end user back to a supplier, who will repair or replace it. The return to supplier function enables you to track the return to the supplier (RTS) and link the original return from your customer to it.

This figure shows the full route of the item as it is received by the customer, returned to you, and then returned to your supplier, who in turn returns it to you.

Within RTS Maintenance, there are two distinct processes or functions: items being returned to the supplier, and items received back from the supplier. The return to supplier process enables you to specify whether the:

RTSs have a life cycle similar to a standard purchase order. They are created with RTS Maintenance (11.7.3.1). Shipments and receipts for an RTS take place in separate functions: RTS Shipments (11.7.3.16) and RTS Receipts (11.7.3.13).