The old model: vendor-first sourcing
Traditional sourcing starts with a vendor — open Baker, browse sofas, not finding it, close the tab, open Hickory Chair, repeat. The workflow assumes you know which vendor probably has what you want, which is only true if you already have strong preferences.
The new model: intent-first sourcing
Intent-first sourcing starts with the spec — 'transitional 84-inch sofa, track arm, tight back, performance fabric, under $5K wholesale' — and searches every vendor catalog simultaneously. You see all candidates in one grid regardless of vendor, and you pick based on the product rather than the brand.
Why this matters for smaller shops
Solo designers and boutique firms benefit most from cross-vendor search because they don't have the in-house reps or the years of hard-won vendor knowledge that big firms accumulate. Cross-vendor search effectively levels the sourcing playing field.
What it doesn't replace
Vendor relationships still matter — for custom requests, COM approvals, and rush orders, a trade rep picks up the phone faster than any search engine. Cross-vendor search replaces catalog browsing, not relationships.