Understand why an order was not raised yet
What this does
Explains the timing rule behind every replenishment: the system orders as late as it safely can. A product with a five-day lead time needed in ten days is ordered in five days' time — not today.
Steps
Demand falling before the forecasted date triggers replenishment now. Demand falling after it waits, and the To Order quantity is exactly the demand on the forecasted date — no more.
This is also why a confirmed order sometimes does not appear on the report: it is scheduled beyond the forecast window. The long view lives in the forecasted report, behind the chart icon on the same line.
Just-in-time logic in WindoorERP minimizes storage costs by placing orders precisely to meet deadlines. This is achieved using the forecasted date, which determines when replenishment is necessary to avoid overstocking. For example, for a product with a 5-day total lead time and a sales order delivery date in 10 days, WindoorERP waits 5 days to place the order, ensuring it arrives just in time for delivery.
The forecasted date is the earliest possible date to receive a product if the replenishment process starts immediately. It is calculated by summing the lead times linked to the replenishment process, such as vendor lead times for purchases or manufacturing lead times for production. This works with both automatic and manual reordering rules.
Tip
If utilizing just-in-time logic feels risky, consider adding buffer time or adjusting lead times for more flexibility. While lead times and just-in-time logic provide additional control, reordering rules work perfectly fine without them. Keeping delivery dates on SOs as their creation date ensures purchases are immediately triggered when needed.
-
01
Go to Inventory › Operations › Replenishment.
-
02
Click the (info) icon on the line in question.
-
03
Read the Forecasted Date and the lead times that produced it.
-
04
Compare it with the delivery date of the demand you are worried about.
Forecasted date and to order quantity
The forecasted date is the earliest receipt date for a product, if it is ordered right now. It is calculated by summing the lead times linked to the product's replenishment process. The total of these lead times, added to the current date, determines when WindoorERP checks for demanded stock.
To view the forecasted date go to Inventory app › Operations › Replenishment to access the replenishment report, then click the (info) icon for the desired reordering rule. The Replenishment Information pop-up window displays the Forecasted Date and various lead times.
The just-in-time logic ensures replenishment occurs only when required to meet forecasted demand, reducing the risk of overstocking.
Note
Just-in-time logic determines the exact timing of replenishment. If you want to extend this logic to also consider near-future demand beyond the forecast date, see Horizon Days
If the forecasted quantity falls below the minimum on the forecasted date, replenishment is triggered immediately to prevent shortages. If the quantity falls below the minimum after the forecasted date, replenishment is deferred.
The To Order quantity is defined as the total demand on the forecasted date.
By scheduling purchase orders according to combined lead times, WindoorERP minimizes inventory while ensuring that future demand is met on time.
Example
A manual reordering rule is set up with no minimum or maximum quantities.
- Vendor lead time is 4 days, and the days to purchase is 2 days.
- Today's date is October 2.
- These add up to 6 days, making the forecasted date, October 8.
A confirmed SO for 5 units has a delivery date of October 8th (6 days from today). This demand will appear on the replenishment report today, in the To Order field.
However, if the delivery date were later than October 8th, it would not yet appear on the report. WindoorERP only displays quantities to replenish when they fall within the forecasted date window, ensuring orders are placed precisely when needed.
Important
SOs scheduled after the Forecasted Date are not included in the Forecast quantities of a reordering rule. However, they do appear in the forecasted report, since it reflects the long-term forecasted quantity. To access the forecasted report, click (area chart) icon on the replenishment report.
The forecasted date
The forecasted date is the earliest day goods could arrive if you ordered this minute. It is today plus the lead times of the replenishment route: vendor lead time and days to purchase for bought goods, manufacturing lead time for made ones.
If it feels too tight
Just-in-time is a choice, not a law. Add buffer by lengthening lead times, or widen the window with horizon days. Reordering rules work perfectly well without any of it.
Common mistakes
- Reporting a bug because nothing was ordered today. Check the forecasted date first — deferring is the intended behaviour.
- Lead times copied from an optimistic quotation rather than what the supplier actually does.
- Running just-in-time on a supply chain with no slack and no security lead time.
Was this article helpful?
Thanks — your feedback helps.
Running a window or door factory?
Ask for a demo