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Efficiently Manage Preorder Inventory with AIMS360 Apparel Software
Preorder inventory management is essential whether you're handling wholesale (such as JOOR or NuOrder) or e-commerce retail (Shopify or WooCommerce). Use Pre-Order Management Tools to Eliminate Overproduction. Utilizing preorders provides substantial advantages:
Benefits of Managing Preorders:
- Improved Sales Forecasting: Accurately estimate sales and revenue for specific periods.
- Reduced Inventory Waste: Precisely know production quantities, minimizing excess stock.
- Enhanced Brand Loyalty: Engage customers with early collection previews.
- Market Testing: Evaluate style popularity and make informed production decisions.
- Save time: Reduce the manual work for figuring out how much production you need and when someones order will get delivered.
AIMS360 apparel software makes managing large volumes of preorders across multiple styles straightforward, reducing complexity and ensuring profitability.
How AIMS360 Apparel Software Streamlines Preorder Management:
Seamless Integration: AIMS360 pushes preorders directly from your wholesale & retail platforms. Set automatic or custom completion dates based on integration rules or customer expectations, ensuring timely fulfillment.
Production Alignment: To prevent delays and maintain customer satisfaction, AIMS360 includes robust tools like:
- Work-in-Process (WIP) Module: Track and manage order progress.
- Open to Sell by Date (OTS) Report: Clearly understand inventory requirements and deadlines.
- Allocate Orders: Allocate orders to inventory that is in stock or work in process production.
Wholesale Preorder Management
For wholesale channels like JOOR, NuOrder, Repspark, & more: Preorders often follow a cut-to-order model. Buyers place large, forward-looking orders for upcoming seasons and production is either done for each customer or a bulk production that is connected to each customer order.. AIMS360 apparel software supports this workflow by enabling:
- Bulk order capture across multiple accounts and styles
- Allocation of orders directly into production planning
- Quick generation of vendor POs and order contracts
This ensures you're producing the exact quantities needed for wholesale delivery windows—no more, no less—reducing overproduction and boosting profitability.
Retail Preorder Management
For DTC e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce, retail preorders are typically placed by end consumers looking to reserve styles before launch. AIMS360 lets you:
- Import preorder sales from your web store
- Quickly determine how much of the order can be fulfilled and by when. If insufficient units are available in stock or production, AIMS360 can generate an additional factory order to meet the required quantity.
- Set realistic delivery windows based on production timelines
- Track retail preorders alongside regular inventory
Retail preorders offer great insights into customer preferences and help you plan smarter production runs while generating early cash flow.
Smart Order and Production Allocation
Allocation in AIMS360 apparel software allows you to link multiple customer orders to a single production run—or distribute one order across many production runs. This flexible method lets you:
- Quickly detect if you're overproducing or underproducing.
- Adjust production plans before it's too late.
- Keep production aligned with real customer demand.
This makes it easy to reduce waste, improve delivery timing, and keep operations profitable.
Allocated Purchase Orders:
Quickly create and email purchase order contracts directly to your factory from multiple customer orders, streamlining your production workflow. No need to manually re-enter information.
Leverage Production Forecasting Reports:
Combine preorder management tools with AIMS360's Production Forecasting Report for superior efficiency. This powerful tool (available to Designer and Luxury Tiers) helps you accurately forecast production needs and effectively meet preorder demands.
For existing customers, explore:
Let us show you how to optimize your preorder and inventory operations. Schedule your free demo today!
FAQ
What is preorder inventory management?
Preorder inventory management involves accepting and managing customer orders for products before they're produced or stocked. It helps businesses gauge product demand, optimize production runs, and reduce inventory risks. AIMS360 apparel software efficiently manages preorder inventory to streamline both wholesale and retail fulfillment, ensuring timely deliveries and customer satisfaction.
What is a strategy to reduce overproduction?
Reducing overproduction can be achieved by leveraging accurate forecasting reports alongside a strong preorder strategy, helping businesses produce precise quantities needed. Additionally, producing goods locally or nearshore enables quicker turnaround times, minimizing the risk of excess inventory and responding swiftly to market demands.
How are preorders cut to order?
Preorders are typically cut to order, meaning production begins only after orders are received. This allows fashion brands to avoid overproduction and tailor output exactly to customer demand. AIMS360 supports this approach by letting you allocate preorder quantities directly to production runs and generate precise purchase orders. With tools like forecasting reports and order-to-sell-by-date tracking, you can confidently produce just what’s needed and when it’s needed. AIMS360 is the #1 apparel software with a many-to-many allocation feature.
