Stock indicators

In order book the stock level bar is shown for every item in the order. The bar displays information about current stock level in relation to the minimum stock level and current stock level less quantity in orders in relation to minimum stock level.

ottom arrow shows percentage of items in stock less items in orders against minimum stock level * 4 If minimum stock level is not defined the system will show the amount of stock you have, and the amount available. So in the example below there are 10 in stock and -100 available.

My Inventory stock control fields explained:

• The stock level fields will be visible on My Inventory screen only if you have selected location in Show Location.
• If you have multiple locations, you can review and change stock levels for each location by clicking + next to the stock item record. This will display a sub grid with stock levels for each location.
• Level column - shows current stock level for the selected location. This is physical stock before processing any outstanding open orders.
• Stock Value - is dynamically calculated value that automatically keeps track of the cost of your stock. This is worked out from single unit cost i.e. Stock Value / Stock Level. When you acquire new stock through a purchase order the system will increase the stock value based on the value specified in the purchase order. When you sell or make any adjustments to the stock the system automatically recalculates your actual stock value based on the unit cost. Note that Unit Cost is not a simply a Purchase Price value. Unit value is calculated based on the actual cost of stock rather than fixed value. For example if you purchased 10 Mailing Bags today for $0.10 each your stock value will be $1.00, making each unit cost $0.10. So when you sold one, the stock value will be changed to $0.90. If you then purchased another 10 Mailing Bags but paid $0.15 for each, your stock value becomes $2.40 ($0.90 + 10 * $0.15) where each unit costs around $0.12, ($2.40 / 19). In other words stock value is calculated based on mean averaged value of all units.
• Minimum Level - threshold which indicates the minimum stock level which will cause the system to prompt you to reorder stock.
• Due - number of items due to be delivered from the supplier.
• Available - (read only) number of items available. This is calculated field showing stock level minus number of items in open orders.
• Not Tracked flag - not tracked switch allows you to instruct the system to disregard any stock tracking functions for this item. This is also used to tell the system to calculate stock level dynamically when this stock item is part of a composition (i.e. the stock level for this item will be calculated from stock level of child items). When Not Tracked is set (Red) the minimum level is set to -1. To set or unset Not Tracked double click on the cell.

To make adjustments to the stock level

• find the product you want to make adjustment in the My Inventory grid,
• double click on the Stock Level cell (or start typing in the cell)
• To apply the changes hit enter – DO NOT click away from the cell – it will result in the error.

Simplify your online order management – and increase sales

Linnworks Order Management and Stock Control system automates your order management, saving you time and money, and making selling online through multiple channels more efficient, cost-effective and profitable. Why waste time on manual tasks, when your entire order management process can be left to Linnworks?

• All your orders from multiple channels are downloaded into one central place
• Fulfilment is handled at the click of a button – including invoice printing, shipping labels, picking and packaging.
• Works with eBay, Amazon, Magento, PlayTrade, Pixmania and  more – virtually all  e-commerce websites, including bespoke platforms.

Order management has never been so simple, easy, fast – or so affordable. By automating the order management process, you reduce manpower costs, improving your profit margins and reducing your cost base.
You also provide more integrated and consistent customer service. Even small firms can harness the power of automated systems to impress customers, and become more efficient and responsive.

How automated order management works

Linnworks software integrates all your sales across multiple sites – including eBay, Amazon, Magento and additional channels, such as PlayTrade and Pixmania. Linnworks system integrates with X-Cart, osCommerce, ZenCart and many more website carts.
When an order arrives, you can choose to print invoices, shipping labels, packing slips, and pick lists for multiple orders at the click of a button.
Or you can specify to have the order forwarded automatically to your drop shipper, with barely any involvement on your part.
The system automatically handles all the notifications and updates that are needed.

Keep track of the whole order management lifecycle

Linnworks manages every aspect of the order management lifecycle from initial order to despatch and beyond. Save time and improve customer satisfaction by automatically marking  orders as shipped on your selling channels and uploading shipping tracking:

• Create automated customer email notifications – send out despatch notes with PDF invoices attached
• Submit tracking numbers and shipping times back to the channel
• Send bespoke email notifications for every step of the order management process – such as shipping times and delivery confirmations
• Automate management of returns and resends, exchanges and customer notes
• Increase customer loyalty and grow sales by sending automated emails and newsletters.

Linnworks even supports despatch console for barcoded invoices and allows you to process orders by scanning invoice barcodes. It supports picklist barcode, packing lists, scanning product UPC/EAN numbers or off-the-screen processing.

Cut the paperwork down to size and tame the chaos of online order management

Linnworks system puts all your order management information in one place, available to easily view and export. You can easily create order notes and carry out audit trails, and recalculate tax.
It’s simple to sort and filter open orders, group orders together and print invoices and shipping labels for all orders in bulk. You can even create conditional invoices and pick lists for complete flexibility.
If your business expands beyond online sales, then Linnworks also provides integration with telesales, direct orders and an integrated EPOS (electronic point of sale) system.

Stock Chart

A stock control chart is a graphical illustration of a simple approach to stock management over time. This ‘saw tooth’ shaped diagram is normally shown as if sales were steady throughout each month. Whilst this oversimplifies the situation for many businesses, the principles can be adapted to most situations.
The key features and terms are:

• Maximum stock level – this is the maximum amount of stock a business would wish to hold. This could represent enough stock for a month or a week, it might be as much as the warehouse has space for, or it might depend on the order size needed to qualify for a quantity discount – known as the Economic Order Quantity (EOQ). On the diagram below, the maximum stock level is 600 units, and the usual order quantity is 500 units

• Re-order level – this acts as a trigger point, so that when stocks fall to this level, the next order should be placed. This helps take account of fluctuations in sales levels over time. When an order is placed, there is a lead time that the supplier needs to meet that order. Ideally this new order will arrive just before stocks fall below the minimum stock level. On the diagram below, 300 units

• Lead time – the amount of time between placing the order and receiving the stock On the diagram below, just under two weeks

• Minimum stock level – this is the minimum amount of product the business would want to hold in stock. Assuming the minimum stock level is more than zero, this is known as buffer stock – see below. On the diagram below, 100 units

• Buffer stock – an amount of stock held as a contingency in case of unexpected orders so that such orders can be met and in case of any delays from suppliers.

 

Location, Location , Location!

You might have heard people say that location is the most important thing for a business. Then, the next most important is ... location, and so on.
For many businesses, getting the right location can make the difference between success and failure. Can think of a shop or restaurant near where you live that has closed down, maybe because it was in the wrong place?
There are lots of different reasons why location is important to a business and location matters to some businesses much more than it does to others.
Here are some reasons why location matters.
Labour

• Workers must be available locally, or must be willing to travel to work at the business.
• These workers must have the right skills.
• If there is high unemployment locally, you might find it easier to recruit workers, and maybe you won’t have to pay them as much as you would elsewhere.
• But if there is high unemployment, local people may not have as much to spend with your business.
• Often a location becomes a centre for related industries - Staffordshire for potteries, Sheffield for steel, and the local people have particular skills.

Land/buildings

• The right amount and type of land and buildings must be available.
• For some businesses, you need a lot of space - perhaps your business is noisy or creates fumes and needs to be well away from where people live.
• Some businesses need to be near their customers, or to their suppliers.

Transport and communications links

• Your workers need to be able to travel to work.
• You might need to be able to transport materials and products in and out of your business.
• Telephone, postal and Internet services might be better in cities than in the countryside.

Natural resources

• Primary industries need to be sited near to natural resources.
• Because of the costs of transport of raw materials, secondary businesses may also be sited close to resources that are important to their businesses.

Customers

• Every business needs to be able to reach its customers.
• For a retail shop, you might want potential customers to be walking past all the time.
• An Internet business might be able to locate almost anywhere!

Language

• As businesses become more global, you need people who can speak the same language as your customers. This is one reason why, for example, India has been successful in attracting call centres and software development from the UK and North America.

Image

• Some businesses need to be in a location that suits their image.
• Remember, though, high class locations tend to have high rents!

Competitors

• In some cases, you might want to be the only business of your type nearby - perhaps this would be good for a petrol station or a news agent.
• Other businesses cluster together - restaurants in Soho or Chinatown, fashion shops and jewellers on Bond Street.