---
title: External Partner
slug: external-partner
icon: {"faIcon":"fa-solid fa-building-circle-arrow-right"}
createdAt: 2025-06-20T14:30:55.319Z
---

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/M1QBpK9lJudQQL_d-GMK2/a7IQkLwURS59Z8T0gJEKK_image.png)

The **External Partner** feature in planeus lets you give** suppliers or service partners** restricted, secure access to part of your plan—helping you create a more transparent supply chain.

:::hint{type="warning"}
External Partners can only use [Workbench Classic](docId:22-Htt1eVmVg7SALIuHws), while [Workbench Terminal](docId:-FY2T5NCzmjR9vYTh8Hn6) is reserved for internal users.
:::

# What can an External Partner access?

- You can mark certain users as **External Partners.**
- External Partners can only see:
  - **Work Steps** on resources assigned to them.
  - Optionally, **Processes** linked to the same Production Orders as their assigned resources.
- You can grant External Partners access to the following modules:
  - Planning Objects
  - Planning (view-only)
  - Dashboard
  - Workbench

:::hint{type="success"}
External partners see only data **relevant to their work**—nothing more, nothing less.
:::

# Defining an External Partner User



- Create a new user acount for your partner.
- Mark the user as an External Partner in User Management.
-

  Once marked, you can assign the partner licenses for the specific modules they can access.

:::hint{type="info"}
You only need a External Partner license to manage all your partners!
:::

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/M1QBpK9lJudQQL_d-GMK2/m1Xrprdp50dHDVGjyxnRr_image.png)

# Marking Resources as External

In **Master Data → Resources:**

- Simply enable one or more Resources as **External Resources.**

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/M1QBpK9lJudQQL_d-GMK2/XRNNAzMLjFaN47M12O5N1_image.png)

# Linking External Resources to an External Partner 

Then, link those **External Resources** to the **External Partner** user. 
This ensures they only see data related to the External Resources they’re involved with. 

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/M1QBpK9lJudQQL_d-GMK2/lS5CfXzXGNVh50G1P9_eF_image.png)

# Allow External Partner to manage Processes

If needed, you can allow partners to handle some of your non-operation related **Processes.**

- In User Management, enable the option **“Allow Process Feedback”** for the partner user.

:::hint{type="info"}
Partners can only see Processes when

- They belong to the **same Production Order as the assigned Work Steps**.
- The Production Order includes **at least one Work Step **on the partner’s External Resource.
:::

# What External Partners Can See

Once set up, your External Partner can view:

- Work Steps on their assigned resources
- Related Processes (if granted access)
- Planning (read-only view)
- Workbench (Classic or Terminal)
- Data on the Dashboard relevant to their resources

**Example: Gantt chart for a coating service partner**

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/M1QBpK9lJudQQL_d-GMK2/8LpoNmeNrjsx-UQoK2XYw_image.png)

# Configuring Views for External Partners

In **Administration → Settings**, you can customize:

- Which columns are visible to External Partners in:
  - Work Step lists
  - Process lists

This helps you control exactly how much detail your partners can see.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/M1QBpK9lJudQQL_d-GMK2/eIgfMkbr5XnipiYsPmyQF_image.png)

:::hint{type="success"}
The **External Partner** feature makes your external contractors or supply chain management more** transparent and collaborative**—while keeping your data secure and strictly controlled!
:::