Overview
If you are using ASNs to manage inbound deliveries at your warehouse, then it is possible to setup the system to automatically provide a pre-order stock level to desired channels so that you can sell the stock before it arrives at your warehouse.
The stock level is dynamically calculated based on the on-order level, less the required by back-order level - so it will reduce with every order placed, preventing you overselling your stock before it arrives.
Stock Feed Rules
The first stage to enable pre-order stock levels - is to setup a stock feed rule on the channel(s) you want to sell pre-order stock on.
Create a rule with PRE_ORDER as the type & the level as 0 for the required channel.
We'd recommend setting Product to All at this stage. You still have individual control over products being pre-order enabled, see the next section.
Enabling Products for Pre-Order
To enable individual products to be sold with pre-order stock levels:
Click Products then Overview.
Find the product.
Click Actions then Edit.
Scroll down and switch pre-orderable to ON.
Note: To update products in bulk, please review the Bulk Update Products help guide.
Pre-Order Status Report
You can setup a daily scheduled report so that the system alerts you when it detects that a product is eligible for pre-order.
When viewing the report on the system directly, on the right of each product row, to quickly switch pre-ordering on, click Enable Preorder.