In the form, you can reserve items automatically (auto reservation) when you create a sales order line, or you can reserve items manually on the individual order line.

If you select auto-reservation, inventory is always reserved automatically when you create an order line. If you select manual reservation, you must manually reserve inventory for the individual order line.

The method of reservation is the same for all orders and items. It is not possible to specify manual reservations for some items and automatic reservation for others. Likewise, you cannot specify manual reservation on some orders, customers, and locations, and automatic reservation on other orders, customers, and locations.

If you mix item types and some are suitable for manual reservation although others are suitable for automatic reservation, it is recommended that you select manual reservation as the general parameter.

Typically, the individual company's business structure determines whether inventory items are reserved automatically or manually. If you are in doubt, see the recommendations below.

Auto reservation

Selecting automatic inventory reservation is recommended:

  • If you want to ensure that the units are always reserved for the orders at the creation of every new order line, and therefore, available at the delivery date.

  • If items are standard inventory items. They are not produced for, adjusted to, or purchased for one specific order. Any amount of on-hand items can be picked for an order.

  • If deliveries from vendors are uncertain and there is no on-going receipt of goods. You might want to ensure that the items are reserved and delivered in the same order that the order lines are created.

  • If the selection from inventory is optional, meaning that you do not have to pick a specified batch and serial number of an item until the delivery date.

Note Note

Inventory is reserved in the same order as the order lines are created, independent of the delivery date. This means that even though there might be items on-hand, they cannot be delivered because they are reserved for orders with a later delivery date.

Manual reservation

Selecting manual inventory reservation is recommended:

  • If you do not typically make inventory reservations when you create order lines.

  • If orders for delivery are marked manually. For example, if inventory that is ordered by specific customers or special orders should be served first.

  • If items are produced for, adjusted to, or purchased for specific orders. A specific unit of the item number on-hand must be picked for an order.

  • If inventory is not reserved in the same order as the order lines are created.

  • If a specified batch and serial number should be picked for each order.

  • If a limited number of items on-hand should be split between manually selected orders.

See Also