Customers can be blocked from ordering when levels reach zero. They can also be blocked from ordering more products than are on-hand (versions 2.x and 3.x).

Optionally, the inventory management module will email the store owner when the inventory level reaches the store owner's "trigger level" (versions 2.x and 3.x).

This module works seamlessly with our Wait List module to allow customers to sign up to a Waiting List so they will be notified when the item is re-stocked.

For Merchant 2.x and 3.x you need to have a field in your products database called quantity and you have to supply the initial quantity levels. If you don't have the ability to add that field to your products database, we can do it for you at no additional charge. In Merchant 4.x, the necessary database structures are supplied by the standard Merchant installation after you activate the Inventory system through your admin interface.

The customer and product management modules interface with the existing Merchant 2.x, 3.x, and 4.x versions, including the new Miva Corp supplied inventory management for Merchant 4.x.

In the administrative interface:

• Shipping tracking numbers, entered through admin, display in the customer account and the status update email (can be linked directly to the shipper tracking page)
• Change the order status and optionally send the customer an order status email which can vary based on the style of the status email chosen
• Run an end of day-productivity report for all dates, a range of dates, or a specific date displaying all records or just the records with a specific status. In 4.x a convenient link to the order edit screen makes viewing an individual order quick and easy.
• Re-establish inventory levels for a product when an order has been cancelled ( auto-restock) or new quantities are put in your inventory
• Run a Stock Level Report to determine which items are nearing depletion or all products being managed for inventory. The 4.x version includes an easily editable interface to change the inventory levels of all/any products in the report.
• In 4.x create a flat file of product codes, quantity, and product name for easy mass editing/importing or to interface with PC systems or for re-import into Merchant itself
• In 4.x display the number of status = "pending" orders in the Main admin screen, Store Notifications section, with popup showing order numbers and dollar total of each

From the customer account record:

• Customers can view the status of all of their orders, including update information entered by the store owner through admin
• Customers can view their previous invoices as long as they are in online batches or still in the unbatched orders
• In Merchant version 3.x and 4.x customers can re-order/duplicate a previous order with a single click from the invoices which are in online batches or as yet unbatched orders

Limitation: The Inventory Management system tracks the quantity of individual product codes. It does not track the quantity of each attribute available within the product code. Thus, in the majority of stores, this level of detail will be sufficient. But if you need to track the number of blue, large polo shirts, then the Inventory Management portion of this package will not meet your needs. If you only have a few products that are stocked based on variable attributes, you may consider having a different SKU for each variant, similar to many printed catalogs. That would allow use of this system as each would have their own product code and quantity. You may also still desire the other features in this package so the entire package be useful for you. Of course, if you do not need that level of detail, i.e. a widget is a widget, then this package should meet your needs at an affordable price.

Note: This is a complex system and integration of these modules may be beyond your capabilities. The install document for these modules in Merchant 2.2x is online. The Merchant 3.x version is very similar in difficulty. The Merchant 4.x version is much easier since only the Customer and Product Administration needs editing of the mmui.mv if you are using the Miva Merchant look and feel. If using the OpenUI, editing of the mmui.mv is not needed. The Merchant 4.x inventory management is already part of Merchant's core system. You should look at this file to determine your capabilities. If it beyond yours, you should license the modules with installation included from Design Extend.