What is the Allow Item Shortages Option?
The Allow Item Shortages option is a new setting available against individual products. When enabled, this option allows specific products to be overbooked on an order, even if there is insufficient stock. This functionality is particularly useful for scenarios where overbooking is permitted or when products are expected to be restocked soon.
This product-level setting overrides the broader Enforce Stock Availability option configured at the company level.
Understanding Enforce Stock Availability
The Enforce Stock Availability setting is a company-wide option that ensures stock levels are considered when adding items to orders:
Enabled: Prevents adding items to orders if there is no available stock. This ensures that orders are only fulfilled with products in stock, helping avoid overbooking issues.
Disabled: Allows adding out-of-stock items to orders. However, a warning will appear to alert you about the stock shortage.
How Allow Item Shortages Works
When the Allow Item Shortages option is enabled for a product, it provides an exception to the Enforce Stock Availability rule. Here’s how they interact:
Enforce Stock Availability: Enabled
Products with Allow Item Shortages: Enabled can still be overbooked.
All other products must have sufficient stock to be added to an order.
Enforce Stock Availability: Disabled
Products can be added to orders regardless of stock levels.
You will receive a warning if any item is out of stock.
How to Configure Allow Item Shortages
Navigate to the product’s settings in OnRent.
Locate the Allow Item Shortages option.
Toggle the setting to Yes to allow overbooking for that product.
Save your changes.
Note: Ensure you understand the impact on inventory management before enabling this option, as it may affect order fulfillment and stock reporting.
Best Practices
Use Allow Item Shortages selectively for products where overbooking is manageable or necessary.
Monitor stock levels regularly to ensure that shortages are temporary and do not impact customer satisfaction.
Communicate clearly with your team about which products can be overbooked and the reasons for this exception.
By leveraging the Allow Item Shortages option, you can handle stock management more flexibly while maintaining control over your inventory processes in OnRent.