# Contracts

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### What is a contract?

Contract management in GLPI is designed to provide efficient, centralised management of all aspects of IT[^1] contracts, improving the transparency, traceability and efficiency of IT operations.

For example, contracts can be used to

* **Cost management**: GLPI tracks the costs associated with each contract, including recurring and one-off payments.
* **Budgeting**: financial information from contracts can be used for budgeting and forecasting expenditure.
* **Linking with other modules**: Contracts can be linked to specific assets or equipment, making it easier to monitor equipment coverage and maintenance.
* **Supplier** management: GLPI can be used to manage a directory of suppliers, with detailed information on each one. It is also possible to set up a supplier evaluation system to assess supplier performance in terms of services provided and contracts in force.

***

### What information is available in contracts?

You can enter a range of information to help you manage your contracts and related items:

* Name
* Status
* Contract type
* Start date
* Initial contract period
* Notice period
* Location
* Number
* Account number
* Contract renewal period
* Invoice period
* Maximum number of items
* Renewal
* Email alarms
* Support hours (can be set for weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays)

Available tabs :

* Costs
* Suppliers
* Items
* Documents
* Links
* Notes
* Knowledge base
* Tickets
* History
* All

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### Is it possible to link a default contract to an entity?

Yes, from **`Administration`** > **`Entities`** > **`Support`** tab. Select the desired contract in **`Default contract`**.

***

### What notifications are available in the contracts?

To make contract management easier, notifications can be sent:

* End of contract
* End of periodicity
* Advance notice
* Advance notice of period

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### Why am I not receiving notifications?

This may be due to a number of reasons:

* Problem configuring the [SMTP server](/tutorials/notifications/setup_notifications.md)
* The contract is not active or no longer active
* The [automatic action](/tutorials/automatic-actions/configuration_action_auto.md) **`contract`** is not active or incorrectly configured
* Your [cron](https://glpi-user-documentation.readthedocs.io/fr/master/modules/configuration/crontasks.html) is not active or incorrectly configured

***

### Why can't I link my contract to a GLPI object?

If you don't see your contract in the GLPI object in question, you need to check a few points:

* The contract must be active (not expired)
* A start date must be entered
* A duration must be indicated

{% hint style="success" %}
**Expired contracts** are not visible in the various GLPI objects so as not to "pollute" the list of contracts. On the other hand, you can link a GLPI object directly from the contract even if it has expired.
{% endhint %}

***

### Can you edit contract-related reports?

Yes, from **`Tools`** > **`Reports`**, you can select the option **`By contract`**. Select the item type (several items possible) then the year(s).

[^1]: Information Technology


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