Purchasing lead time represents the time it takes in days (including non-working days) from when you recognize the need to purchase a product, to when it is available in your stores for use. Elements of purchasing lead time include order preparation and release time; supplier lead time; transportation time and receiving; and inspection and put-away time.

When the Material Requirements Calculation recognizes a requirement for a purchased item, it will use the item's purchasing lead time to calculate the purchase order placement date from the item's requirement date. Furthermore, SYSPRO uses the lead time of purchased items to calculate the cumulative lead time of the manufactured items in which it is used.