> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.firstresonance.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Send a step to outside processing

> Send a part and an in-process operation out to a supplier on a purchase order, then receive it back into the run.

Mark a procedure step as an outside process, and ION links it to a purchase order so you can send the part and the operation out and track the work alongside the run.

## Send an outside process out on a PO

1. In the procedure, turn on **Outside Processing** for the step.
2. Start a run that uses the procedure. The run step's right rail shows an **Outside Processing** section.
3. In the **Outside Processing** section, select an existing purchase order from the dropdown, or click **Create PO** to make a new one. Creating a new PO links it to the run automatically.
4. Track the PO's live status from the run. The PO line's description records the run step it came from.

<Note>
  Run steps flagged as an outside process are not batched.
</Note>

## Add an outside process step to a running run

To add an outside process to a run already in progress, add the step with a redline:

1. On the step you want to add the outside process after, open the **More actions** menu and choose **Add Step After**.
2. Enter a **Step Title** and turn on **Is Outside Processing**. You can also switch to **Copy from Library** to select an existing step.
3. Click **Put in redline and create** to redline the parent step and add the new step. If the parent is already in redline, the button reads **Create**.

## Related

* [Create a purchase order](/manage-supply-chain/purchasing/create-a-purchase-order)
* [Purchase consigned parts](/manage-supply-chain/purchasing/purchase-consigned-parts)
* [Run incoming inspections](/manage-supply-chain/receiving/run-incoming-inspections)