🔍 Overview

Future Windows Inventory is an advanced inventory management mode that allows stores to track stock per receiving window instead of using a shared inventory pool.

This enables:

• Accurate stock allocation by delivery period
• Better forecasting and planning
• Improved customer experience with date-specific availability

🎯 Who This Is For

• Store Operators
• Store Managers
• Product & Operations Teams

⚙️ Key Concept

Instead of one shared inventory pool:

• Each receiving window (e.g., Monday, Thursday deliveries) has its own inventory count
• Customers see availability based on their selected fulfillment date
   

🧩 Types of Persistent Inventory Window Modes

When using Persistent Inventory, there are two available window modes:

1. Pooled

• All scheduled dates share one inventory pool
• Inventory is deducted regardless of fulfillment date
• Simpler setup, but less precise visibility

👉 Best for:

• Stores with consistent demand
• Operations that don’t require date-level tracking

2. Future Windows

• Inventory is planned and enforced per receiving window
• Each delivery period has its own inventory allocation
• Availability is calculated based on the selected fulfillment date

👉 Best for:

• Stores with scheduled deliveries
• Operations needing accurate demand forecasting
• Managing subscriptions and pre-orders

✅ Prerequisite: Enable Persistent Inventory

Future Windows requires Persistent Inventory.

Difference at a glance:

How to switch:

1. Go to Fulfillment → Markets → Locations
2. Edit your location
3. Select Persistent Inventory
4. Save changes

👉 After switching, set initial stock counts to establish a baseline.

🚀 Enabling Future Windows

Steps:

1. Navigate to:
   Markets → Local → Locations → [Store] → Edit
2. Find Inventory Window Mode
3. Select Future Windows
4. Configure:
   • Receiving Days (e.g., Monday, Thursday)
   • Future Window Count (default: 6)
5. Save

What happens next:

• Windows are created instantly
• Current inventory stays in the active window
• Future windows populate automatically

📦 Managing Inventory by Window

Access Inventory

Go to:
Stores → Inventory → Select Store → Edit

Window Selector

You’ll see:

• Current Window (active period)
• Future Windows (upcoming delivery periods)

Editing Inventory

1. Select a window
2. Update counts per product
3. Save changes

⚠️ Changes apply only to the selected window

📊 Understanding Inventory Counts

Each window tracks:

• Starting Count – Beginning inventory
• To Pack – Orders + upcoming subscriptions
• Sold – Fulfilled items
• Available – Remaining stock
• Adjustments – Manual corrections

Formula:

Available = Starting + Adjustments + Rollover − Sold − To Pack − Breakage + Stashed

🛍️ Customer Experience

Customers see availability based on their selected date.

Example:

• Wednesday order → uses Monday window
• Friday order → uses Thursday window

✅ Result:

• Accurate availability per date
• No overselling across different delivery days

🌙 Overnight Processing

The system automatically:

1. Archives Past Windows

• Keeps multi-day windows active until complete

2. Processes Subscriptions

• Converts subscriptions into actual orders
• Updates inventory accordingly

3. Creates New Windows

• Maintains upcoming windows (default: 6)

🔁 Subscription Pre-Deduction (Key Feature)

Before (Pooled Mode):

• Subscriptions only affect inventory on fulfillment day

Now (Future Windows):

• Subscriptions appear in To Pack ahead of time

Benefits:

• Early visibility into demand
• Better planning and stock preparation
• No double-counting when orders are processed

🔄 Switching Modes

Daily → Persistent

• Old records close automatically
• Must set new baseline inventory

Pooled → Future Windows

• Takes effect immediately
• Inventory moves into current window
• Future windows are generated

Reverting Back

• Future windows are archived
• Inventory returns to shared pool
• Existing orders remain intact

🧠 Best Practices

• ✅ Always verify receiving days are correct
• ✅ Regularly review future windows for demand spikes
• ✅ Use subscription insights to plan inventory ahead
• ✅ Avoid switching modes frequently to maintain clean data

⚡ Quick Reference

💡 Final Takeaway

Future Windows transforms inventory management from reactive to proactive:

• You gain visibility into future demand
• Customers get reliable availability
• Operations become more predictable and efficient