Inventory Transfer Suggestions - User Guide

Overview

The Inventory Transfer Suggestions page helps merchants optimize inventory distribution across their locations by providing intelligent, data-driven transfer recommendations. The system analyzes sales patterns, current stock levels, and configured business rules to suggest what products should be moved between locations.

Getting Started

Prerequisites

1. Multiple Locations: You must have at least two locations configured in your Shopify store
2. Transfer Routes: Configure transfer routes between your locations in Settings
3. Historical Sales Data: The system uses past sales data to generate suggestions (minimum 30 days recommended)

Accessing the Feature

Navigate to Move Stock → Transfer Suggestion from your main menu.

Page Overview

The Inventory Transfer Suggestions page uses a two-step workflow:

1. Location Selection: Choose your analysis perspective and target location
2. Review Suggestions: View detailed transfer recommendations and create transfers

Step 1: Location Selection

Choose Your View Mode

When you first visit the page, you'll see two analysis modes:

View by Destination 📥

• Purpose: See what should be transferred TO a specific location
• Use Case: "What does my downtown store need?"
• Focus: Identifies products running low at the destination that need replenishment

View by Source 📤

• Purpose: See what should be transferred FROM a specific location
• Use Case: "What excess inventory can my warehouse distribute?"
• Focus: Identifies surplus inventory that can be redistributed to other locations

Select a Location

After choosing your view mode, select the specific location from the dropdown menu. The available locations depend on your configured transfer routes:

• Destination Mode: Shows locations that can receive transfers
• Source Mode: Shows locations that can send transfers

💡 Tip: If no locations appear, you need to configure transfer routes first. Click "Go to Settings" to set up routes.

Step 2: Review Suggestions

Transfer Routes Overview

After selecting a location, you'll see a visual overview of available transfer routes. Each route displays:

• Source and destination locations with connecting arrows
• Lead time (transit days) for the route
• Summary statistics: Number of product variants and total units suggested
• Truck icon indicating the transfer direction

Detailed Suggestions Table

Below the route overview, you'll find expandable panels for each transfer route containing:

Product Information

• Product images and names
• Variant details (size, color, etc.)
• SKU numbers
• Current inventory levels at both locations

Suggestion Details

• Suggested quantity to transfer
• Priority level (Critical, High, Normal, Low) with color coding
• Transferable quantity (maximum available to move)

Priority Indicators

• 🔴 Critical: Immediate action required - high stockout risk
• 🟡 High: Urgent attention needed - elevated risk
• 🔵 Normal: Standard priority transfer
• 🟢 Low: Low urgency - can be scheduled routinely

Understanding Priority Calculations

Click on any product row to open the Intelligent Transfer Blueprint dialog, which shows:

Priority Analysis Factors

1. Stockout Risk (50% weight)

• Current stock levels
• Daily sales rate
• Days of stock remaining
• Safety stock requirements

2. Revenue Impact (30% weight)

• Sales velocity
• Product profitability
• Revenue at risk from stockouts

3. Lead Time Urgency (20% weight)

• Transit time between locations
• Time sensitivity of the transfer

Pending Transfer Detection

The system automatically detects existing pending transfers and adjusts suggestions accordingly:

• Orange warning indicators show items with pending transfers
• Adjusted quantities prevent double-ordering
• Detailed breakdown shows: Original Suggestion - Pending Transfer = New Suggestion

Creating Transfers

Selecting Items

1. Individual Selection: Check the box next to specific products
2. Route Selection: Use "Select All" to choose all suggestions for a route
3. Smart Filtering: Items with zero suggested quantity are automatically disabled

Transfer Creation Process

1. Review Selection: Click "Create Transfer" to open the confirmation dialog
2. Verify Details: Review transfer summary, items, and quantities
3. Edit if Needed:

• Modify quantities using the input fields
• Remove items with the delete button
• Add optional notes

4. Confirm: Click "Confirm & Create" to submit the transfer

Transfer Confirmation Dialog

The dialog displays:

Transfer Summary

• Route information (source → destination)
• Total items and total quantity
• Priority scoring for the overall transfer

Editable Items List

• Product details with images
• Quantity inputs with validation
• Maximum quantity limits based on availability
• Individual item notes

Transfer Notes

• Add optional notes for the entire transfer
• Useful for special handling instructions or context

Advanced Features

Priority Filtering

Use the priority filter panel to focus on specific urgency levels:

• Filter by Critical, High, Normal, or Low priority
• Combination filtering to see multiple priority levels
• Real-time updates as you adjust filters

Explanation Dialogs

Click any product row to see detailed calculation breakdowns:

• Step-by-step priority scoring
• Inventory analysis with current levels
• Sales forecasting data and trends
• Route-specific calculations

Route Navigation

• Quick scroll from route overview to detailed suggestions
• Route-specific creation with floating action buttons
• Visual indicators for route priority and efficiency

Best Practices

Daily Workflow

1. Morning Review: Check Critical and High priority suggestions first
2. Route Optimization: Process transfers by route to maximize efficiency
3. Batch Creation: Group similar priority items into single transfers
4. Note Documentation: Add contextual notes for warehouse teams

Strategic Planning

• Weekly Analysis: Review overall distribution patterns
• Route Performance: Monitor lead times and adjust routes as needed
• Safety Stock Tuning: Adjust safety stock days based on transfer frequency
• Seasonal Adjustments: Account for seasonal demand patterns in suggestions

Inventory Management

• Source Selection: Prioritize transfers from locations with excess inventory
• Destination Focus: Ensure high-traffic locations maintain adequate stock
• Transfer Timing: Consider lead times when planning transfers
• Pending Awareness: Monitor pending transfers to avoid over-ordering

Troubleshooting

No Suggestions Appear

• Check Transfer Routes: Ensure routes are configured between locations
• Verify Inventory Levels: Confirm source locations have available stock
• Review Sales Data: System requires historical sales for calculations
• Location Permissions: Ensure locations are properly connected to Shopify

Priority Seems Incorrect

• Sales History: Verify sufficient sales data exists for accurate forecasting
• Safety Stock Settings: Check configured safety stock days in settings
• Lead Time Configuration: Confirm route lead times are accurate
• Manual Adjustment: Use quantity controls to override suggestions as needed

Transfer Creation Fails

• Inventory Availability: Ensure sufficient stock at source location
• Route Configuration: Verify transfer route is active and properly configured
• Permissions: Check Shopify app permissions for inventory management
• Network Issues: Refresh page and retry if temporary connection issues occur

Analytics & Tracking

The system automatically tracks user interactions for analytics purposes:

Page Analytics

• Page views and session duration
• Location selection patterns and preferences
• View mode usage (destination vs source analysis)

User Behavior Tracking

• Transfer creation funnel from suggestion to completion
• Explanation dialog usage for understanding priority calculations
• Item selection patterns and quantity modifications

Performance Metrics

• Transfer success rates and completion times
• Priority accuracy and user override patterns
• Route efficiency and utilization metrics

All tracking data helps improve the suggestion algorithms and user experience over time.

Related Features

• Transfer Settings: Configure routes, strategies, and parameters

Need additional help? Contact our support team or refer to the complete documentation suite.

Updated on: 28/08/2025