Frequent allocation questions

This article aims at answering the most frequent questions about allocations.

What is the best way to discover inventory allocations?

If you’re new to inventory allocations, we recommend starting with: Getting started with Inventory allocations

What are the first allocation troubleshooting steps?

First, check that the products in the allocation are linked (and that the link is active) and that the inventory synchronisation is active. Then, check your allocation setup and your allocated quantities. If some questions remain, identify a specific example and share it with our Care team.

What can be tested to best understand how an allocation is working?

Let’s say that we have an active allocation for several products, including products A and B.

On Bigblue, set the desired allocated quantities for products A and B
On your desired allocation sales channel,
- Check the stocks for products A and B, it should match the allocated quantities
- Create an order with some product A
On Bigblue,
- Ensure that the Bigblue order and its Bigblue fufillment are created
- Check your allocated quantities, it should have decreased for product A
- Update the Bigblue order by adding product B and removing product A
- Ensure the changes also appear in the fulfillment
- Check your allocated quantities, product A should be back to initial value while product B should have decreased
- Cancel the Bigblue order
- Check your allocated quantities, products A and B should be back to initial values

For any issue or question, refer to the recommended first troubleshooting steps above.

What happens if my available stock decreases (e.g. expired lot)?

With the pre-sell inventory purpose, Bigblue continues pushing the allocated quantity.
With the reserve inventory purpose, if the stock is now lower than the allocated quantity:
- With Follow allocation, Bigblue continues pushing the allocated quantity — and the risk is for backorders to happen.
- With Use available inventory, Bigblue starts pushing the available quantity (until available stock increases again and hence allocation quantity is be pushed again).
In any case, allocated quantities (as displayed in the allocation page) do not change.

What happens if my available stock increases (e.g. inbound or return)?

With the reserve inventory purpose, Bigblue continues pushing the allocated quantity.
With the pre-sell inventory purpose, if the stock is now greater than the allocated quantity:
- With Use available inventory, Bigblue starts pushing the available quantity (until this quantity decreases again and hence allocation quantity is pushed again).
- With Limit to allocation, Bigblue continues pushing the allocated quantity — and the risk is to miss selling opportunities.
In any case, allocated quantities (as displayed in the allocation page) do not change.