How To Minimize Backorders

If backorders are a recurring problem for your business, we have some helpful ideas on how you can minimize them.

1. Keep a closer eye on inventory
   Monitoring your inventory closely will give you a better feel for any products and line items that are consistently selling out. You may also see surpluses against other items which could allow you to rearrange your buying and/or production spend to even out your future stock levels. You may also identify seasonal differences that you would otherwise have missed.

2. Set up re-order alerts
   Orderspace allows you to set up alerts when stock falls below a specified level. This can be set as a global default and also assigned per SKU/line item. If the stock falls below your specified amount, an alert will be sent to you via email.

3. Inventory forecasting
   If you have trading history, you may be able to glean some useful information from previous sales figures. Predicting demand is tricky, but if you get it right it is another great way to minimize stock shortages.

4. Stop accepting backorders
   If backorders have become a serious problem for your business, just don't accept them. In Orderspace you can simply choose to disallow backorders. In this case, once the stock value is 0 the item will show as out of stock and will not be available to order.

Further Reading:
Managing backorders