Partial Fulfillments
The partial fulfillment feature enables merchants to process orders in multiple stages when complete fulfillment isn't immediately possible. This ensures customers receive available items quickly while managing backorders and split shipments efficiently.
Partial fulfillments are designed to optimize inventory utilization and customer satisfaction by allowing flexible order completion based on stock availability, supplier schedules, or logistical constraints.
Key features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Split shipments | Divide orders into multiple shipments based on availability or logistics requirements. |
| Automatic splitting | Configure automatic order splitting when product quantities exceed thresholds. |
| Fulfill available items | Process available inventory immediately while backordering remaining items. |
| Multiple payment captures | Each fulfillment triggers its own payment capture, allowing multiple captures per order. |
| Flexible completion | Complete orders progressively as inventory becomes available. |
Typical use cases
Partial fulfillment improves inventory efficiency, reduces delivery delays, and enhances customer experience by shipping available items immediately.
1. Stock availability management
Handle orders when not all items are in stock. Examples include:
- Shipping available products immediately while backordering out-of-stock items.
- Processing pre-order items separately from in-stock merchandise.
2. Large order processing
Split orders that exceed handling or shipping thresholds. Examples include:
- Automatically dividing bulk orders into multiple shipments.
- Separating oversized items requiring special handling from standard products.
3. Multi-supplier fulfillment
Manage orders with items from different suppliers or warehouses. Examples include:
- Creating separate shipments for products sourced from different locations.
- Coordinating drop-ship items with warehouse inventory.
Related functionality
| Related feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Orders | Parent orders can be split into multiple partial fulfillments. |
| Inventory management | Real-time stock levels determine which items can be fulfilled immediately. |
| Payment processing | Multiple payment captures are triggered as each partial fulfillment is completed. |
| Backorder management | Tracks and manages unfulfilled items for future shipment. |
| Shipping methods | Each partial shipment can use different shipping methods based on content. |