Getting Started with Vendor Pulse

Getting Started with Vendor Pulse

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

  • An active Zeron account with Vendor Pulse access
  • Admin or Vendor Manager role assigned to your profile
  • A list of vendors your organization works with

    • Step 1: Log In to the Platform

    Navigation: Browser → Zeron Login Page
  • Navigate to your organization's Zeron login page.
  • Enter your credentials or use SSO to authenticate.
  • Upon successful login, you will be redirected to the Vendor Pulse Dashboard.

    • > Tip: If your organization uses Single Sign-On (SSO), click the SSO button and authenticate through your identity provider.

    Step 2: Understand the Navigation

    The Vendor Pulse sidebar contains the following sections:

    SectionPurpose
    DashboardOverview of vendor risk posture, assessment statistics, and key metrics
    VendorsManage your vendor portfolio — add, edit, review, and track vendors
    MasterVaultTemplate library for reusable assessment questionnaires and content
    ZIN AdvisorAI-powered questionnaire assistant with knowledge base and checklists
    DocumentsCentral document repository for vendor-related files
    ReportsGenerate and download vendor risk reports
    AdminManagement and Settings — user management, organization configuration

    > Note: The sections visible to you depend on your assigned role and permissions.

    Step 3: Add Your First Vendor

    Navigation: Sidebar → Vendors → Add Vendor
  • Click Vendors in the sidebar to open the vendor list.
  • Click the Add Vendor button.
  • The Add Vendor wizard will guide you through a 3-step process:
  • Step 1: Enter the vendor name and domain. The system can auto-suggest vendors from an external profile database.
  • Step 2: Enter organization details — business owner, contact email, industry, tier, and service classification.
  • Step 3: Review all entered information and confirm.
  • Click Submit to add the vendor.

    • > Tip: Start typing the vendor name — Vendor Pulse will search its external database and auto-populate details if a match is found.

    Step 4: Review the Dashboard

    Navigation: Sidebar → Dashboard
  • Click Dashboard in the sidebar.
  • The dashboard displays:
  • Total Vendors — count of all vendors in your portfolio
  • Assessment Status — breakdown of pending, in-progress, and completed assessments
  • Risk Distribution — vendor risk levels across your portfolio
  • Recent Activity — latest vendor actions and updates

    • Step 5: Explore Key Workflows

    After the initial setup, proceed with these workflows:

    StepWorkflowNavigation Path
    1Add VendorsSidebar → Vendors → Add Vendor
    2Create Assessment TemplatesSidebar → MasterVault
    3Send QuestionnairesVendor Details → Assessments
    4Use AI AssistantSidebar → ZIN Advisor
    5Review Risk ScoresVendor Details → Risk Tab
    6Generate ReportsSidebar → Reports

    Troubleshooting

    IssueSolution
    Cannot see the Add Vendor buttonVerify your role includes vendor creation permissions. Contact your administrator.
    Dashboard shows no dataData populates once vendors are added and assessments are created. Complete the key workflows above.
    Vendor auto-suggest not workingAuto-suggestions appear after typing at least 3 characters. Ensure you are connected to the internet.
    Sidebar sections missingYour role may not have the required permissions. Contact your administrator.