# 🏘️Merchbees Homepage Manage your inventory smartly with Merchbees applications. ## [Push Down & Hide Out of Stock](https://apps.shopify.com/push-down-hide-out-of-stock) {% content-ref url="/pages/-MN9bN3OncGmpUDfupj4" %} [Homepage](/push-down-and-hide-out-of-stock/homepage) {% endcontent-ref %} ## [Bee Low Stock Alert & Forecast](https://apps.shopify.com/merchbees-low-stock-alert) {% content-ref url="/pages/-MLDPypiqIDH\_-s3X7wt" %} [Homepage](/merchbees-low-stock-alert/homepage) {% endcontent-ref %} ## [Merchbees Inventory Value](https://apps.shopify.com/merchbees-inventory-value) {% content-ref url="/pages/-MLDRCTBOlGmZegZn\_Fm" %} [Homepage](/merchbees-inventory-value/homepage) {% endcontent-ref %} ## [Bee Forecasting & Replenishment](https://apps.shopify.com/bees-forecast-replenishment) {% content-ref url="/pages/AMKcOd1MXqmQyxW14UrR" %} [Homepage](/bee-forecast-and-replenishment/homepage) {% endcontent-ref %} # Homepage Push Down & Hide Out of Stock :star2: Check out Push Down & Hide Out of Stock Start Guide {% content-ref url="/pages/-MNPQlZv75JVHS2-UXb4" %} [Guide](/push-down-and-hide-out-of-stock/homepage/guide) {% endcontent-ref %} :star2: Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for Push Down & Hide Out of Stock. {% content-ref url="/pages/-MN9biF-Kk7lMMKqfow5" %} [Frequently Asked Questions](/push-down-and-hide-out-of-stock/homepage/frequently-asked-questions) {% endcontent-ref %} :star2: See all improvements on our Changelog for Push Down & Hide Out of Stock. {% content-ref url="/pages/-MNZcgkkuLSG6D8lnG5b" %} [🛠️ Changelog](/push-down-and-hide-out-of-stock/homepage/changelog) {% endcontent-ref %} # Guide ### Push Down & Hide Out of Stock **Start Guide** Our application has three main features; 1. Push down the out-of-stock products to the bottom of the collection. 2. Hide the out-of stock-products. 3. Unhide the back-in-stock products. You can use all features, or you can use only one of them you need. Please follow the instructions below based on your preferences. ### To use the Push Down feature 1. Go to the[ Push Down Settings](https://merchbees.com/oos-sorter/setting) page.
2. Choose a sort type from the *Push Down Sort Type* combo box and Save it.\ (This sort type is applied to your collections when you enabled them from the *Push Down Collections* page.)
3. Go to the [Push Down Collections](https://merchbees.com/oos-sorter) page.
4. If you want to sort all collections, you can enable all of them with only three clicks. 1. Click the check box that is on the top of the check box column. 2. Click the *Enable X Selected Collections* button. 3. Click the *Yes* button on the appearing information box. ![](/files/-MRZIZVYoRmyadPvBZeC) If you want to sort some specific collections, you can select them by clicking the checkboxes for each of them. 5\. If you want to set a different sort type for some collections, you can change their sort types by clicking the Gear icon on the *Actions* column. {% hint style="success" %} Out-of-stock products in enabled collections are pushed down and products re-ordered according to the sorting rule. {% endhint %} ### To use the Hide and Unhide features 1. Go to the [Auto Hide & Publish](https://merchbees.com/oos-sorter/hide) page.
2. Check the *Hide all of my out of stock products* option
3. Enter a day number to *Days after hide* field to specify when the out-of-stock products are hidden. \ When you enable the hiding option, current out-of-stock products are hidden after the days you set. {% hint style="info" %} If you want to hide your out-of-stock products immediately, you need to set this field to 0. {% endhint %} \ 4\. If you want to publish (unhide) the products automatically when they are in stock, check *Publish items...* option. {% hint style="warning" %} The application publishes the products only that were hidden by our application. It doesn’t publish the products you make unpublished manually, although they may have a positive inventory. {% endhint %} 5\. Click the Save button. :wave: If you have additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact us! We are always here to help!\ You can say hello with live chat on [merchbees.com](https://merchbees.com/) or send an email to . # Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions for Push Down & Out of Stock Hide. ### :point\_right: What is the primary function and benefits of the Push Down & Out of Stock Hide? 1. Our application **pushes down out-of-stock products** to the bottom of the collection, then sorts in-stock products according to your collection sorting choice. 2. If a product is out of stock longer than the day you specified, it is **automatically hidden**. 3. If an item is back in stock, it is also **published automatically.** {% hint style="success" %} All features work automatically and in real-time! (Sometimes it may take a few minutes according to the volume of transactions (orders, inventory, product, or collections updates) because of Shopify limitations.) {% endhint %} * With these functionalities, our application increases click-through to available products and your store's conversion rate. * Keeping the page of a sold-out product available for search engines preserves its SEO power and increases all store's organic traffic. * By hiding the products that you don't replenish, your store is always seen well organized. ### :point\_right: **What type of updates does the app make in Shopify Admin and your store?** Firstly, our app sets the sorting type as "Manually" in the Shopify Admin and controls this way order of products for enabled collections. It pushes down the out-of-stock-products and sorts in-stock products according to your sorting choice on selected collections. Whenever you want to turn back to the previous state, you can disable the collection. Secondly, when it's time to hide a product, the application makes the product unpublish for enabled collections. If the item is back in stock, it is also published automatically. You can see these changes on Shopify Admin. {% hint style="warning" %} The application publishes the products only that were hidden by our application. It doesn't publish the products you make unpublish manually, although they may have a positive inventory. {% endhint %} Our app does not modify your javascript files, your theme, or anything facing a customer. ### :point\_right: How can I see and control the catalog page on the application? All Shopify stores have a page at the URL your-store.com/collections/all that lists all of the store's visible products. It is the store's catalog page, so it's not a collection; our application cannot access this page. To make visible the catalog page on our application, you have to create an "All products" collection. To create it, you can follow this tutorial: [Change Your Catalog Page.](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/online-store/themes/os20/customize/change-catalog-page) After that, you can see and enable the collection on the app. ### :point\_right: Do hiding/unhiding features apply to all products or only enabled collections? If hiding/unhiding features are enabled, they apply all products. ### :point\_right: Does the application push down the out-of-stock products on the search results? Unfortunately, no. The application does not access the search results page because it doesn't exist as a collection. ### :point\_right: If the customer changes the sorting type on the collection, are out of stock items pushed down to the bottom? Unfortunately, no. If the sorting rule is changed, our application cannot control the pages, so Shopify sorts them according to the chosen rule. ### :point\_right: If an item continues selling when out of stock, the application how handle it? If an item is selling as a backorder, the application doesn't see it as out of stock when its inventory level zero or lower. Therefore, these products aren't pushed down to the bottom of the collection or are hidden never. If you think the application should apply differently, please let us know. ### :point\_right: In Shopify Admin, if I change the sorting rule of a collection that was enabled in the application, what happens? The collection is disabled automatically on the application. ### :point\_right: How to use the application for vendor collections? The vendor collections that have links look like this: your-store.com/collections/vendors?q=brand, are virtual collections. Unfortunately, our application doesn't have access to this type of collection. To manage vendor collections, you can create automated collections based on vendors in Shopify. To create vendor based collections, you can check this tutorial: [Set conditions based on vendor.](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/products/collections/automated-collections/auto-select#set-conditions-based-on-product-title-variant-title-type-or-vendor) After that, you can link to these collections in your theme. Your new link looks like this: your-store.com/collections/vendors-brand. This way, our application sees the vendor collections, and you can enable them to move out-of-stock items to the bottom. :wave: If you have additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact us! We are always here to help!\ You can say hello with live chat on [merchbees.com](https://merchbees.com/) or send an email to . # 🛠️ Changelog Changelog for Push Down & Hide Out of Stock ### 1.0.0 - 02-12-2020 Push Down & Hide Out of Stock was launched! :tada: ### 1.0.1 - 10-12-2020 #### **Added** * Multiple selections feature added to the Collection Page. ![](/files/-MOFSiVVCSycZitBypt2) ### 1.0.2 - 15-01-2021 #### **Added** * You can set different sorting rules for different collections. ### ‌1.0.2 - 21-01-2021 #### **Added**‌ * Last Run Time and Next Run Time information added to Push Down Collections Page. ### 1.0.3 - 12-03-2021 #### **Added** * Push Down feature works in real-time for all subscription plans. #### Removed * Daily and hourly scheduled options removed for Push Down feature. * Next Run Time information removed from Push Down Collections Page. ### 1.0.4 - 24-03-2021 #### **Added** * The best-selling sorting type is added. ### 1.0.5 - 19-04-2021 #### **Added** * The manual sorting type is added. ### 1.0.6 - 02-06-2021 #### **Added** * "Take products which "continue selling when out of stock" as out of stock if they have 0 or less inventory" option is added. ### 1.0.7 - 30-08-2021 #### Added * Excluding specific products from hiding operation ### **1.0.8 - 12-09-2021** #### **Added** * The Shopify Default sorting type is added. If this sorting type is selected, the current Shopify sorting rule is applied for each collection automatically and sold-out products are moved to the bottom. ### **1.0.9 - 01-11-2021** #### **Added** * Excluding the products that have specific tags from moving to the bottom operation. ### **1.0.10 - 08-11-2021** #### **Added** * Determining sold-out definition based on specific location/locations ### **1.0.11 - 26-11-2021** #### **Added** * Excluding the products that have specific tags from the hiding operation. ### **1.0.12 - 26-12-2021** #### **Added** * Redirecting hidden products to a specific collection or custom path. ### **1.0.13 - 30-12-2021** #### **Added** * Added "Showcase new products at the top of collection (will include sold out products)" option. * Added "Automatically enable push down feature on the new collections" option. ### **1.0.14 - 07-01-2022** #### **Added** * **"**Tag products which are hidden by app" feature is added. ### **1.0.15 - 11-02-2022** #### **Added** * Red borders are added to sold-out products on the editing manual order page. ### **1.0.16 - 19-02-2023** #### **Added** * Hide on multiple channels feature is added. Before this feature, the app was hiding the products only in merchants' online stores. From now on, merchants are able to select where to hide their products. Example channels: Online Store, Instagram, Google, Mobile Apps, etc. ### **1.0.17 - 30-09-2023** #### **Added** * On the sold out defintion, we take fullfillment location automatically. * Added app tutorial for onbarding. * Added "Audit Logs" page to show hide, unhide and push down logs.
# Homepage Bee Low Stock Alert & Forecast :star2: Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for Merchbees Low Stock Alert. {% content-ref url="/pages/-MEP2-DreG\_huqhZLepc" %} [Frequently Asked Questions](/merchbees-low-stock-alert/homepage/frequently-asked-questions) {% endcontent-ref %} :star2: How to use Merchbees Low Stock Alert? {% content-ref url="/pages/-MGPV3LN3hD1C\_7OKmtA" %} [Guide](/merchbees-low-stock-alert/homepage/guide) {% endcontent-ref %} :star2: See the details on Forecast and Reporting Module {% content-ref url="/pages/7uZJz2ogLBXEu6c4p9fu" %} [Forecast and Reporting Module](/merchbees-low-stock-alert/homepage/forecast-and-reporting-module) {% endcontent-ref %} :star2: Learn what your metrics mean and how they are computed {% content-ref url="/pages/aTDM3Mrt15YBgM7D0AbH" %} [Glossary of Terms](/merchbees-low-stock-alert/homepage/forecast-and-reporting-module/glossary-of-terms) {% endcontent-ref %} :star2: See all improvements on our Changelog for Merchbees Low Stock Alert. {% content-ref url="/pages/-M3Wy5WSWLep7Nxo1hNM" %} [Changelog](/merchbees-low-stock-alert/homepage/changelog) {% endcontent-ref %} :star2: You can send emails from your emails address by SMTP. {% content-ref url="/pages/-M7h7Gm7tB4dwXr9-iko" %} [Setting up SMTP](/merchbees-low-stock-alert/homepage/setting-up-smtp) {% endcontent-ref %} # Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions for Bee Low Stock Alert & Forecast. ### :incoming\_envelope: **How do instant (real-time) alerts work?** You receive an email or Slack notification **as soon as** an item’s inventory quantity becomes **less than or equal to** the stock threshold you set. After you receive a notification for an item, you will **not receive another notification for the same item** until: * The item’s stock goes **above the threshold**, or * You **edit the alert**. ### :alarm\_clock: **How do scheduled alerts work?** You choose the **day and time** when you want to receive notifications. At the selected time, you receive an email or Slack notification that includes **all low-stock items** based on the stock thresholds you defined. ### :package: **After I get a notification, I don't want to repeat notifications for an item before I restock it. Is this possible?** Yes, absolutely. * **Instant alerts** already work this way by default. * For **scheduled alerts**, simply check the option:\ **“Do not send the same items in the following reports until the item’s stock is higher than the threshold again”**\ on the **Create Alert → Frequency** tab. ### :map: **Can I set different thresholds for different locations?** Yes. Merchbees fully supports **location-based alerts**. You can create separate alerts for different locations and assign **different stock thresholds** to each one. ### :shirt: **Can I track the total inventory of each product?** Yes, you can. While creating an alert: 1. Go to the **Filter and Input Thresholds** tab. 2. Click the **Advanced Settings** button. 3. Select **Product Inventory** from the **Product or Variant-based Alert** option. ### :truck: **I want to send notifications to each vendor for only their items. Is this possible?** Yes, it is possible. While creating an alert: 1. Go to **Filter and Input Thresholds**. 2. Click **Add Filter** and select a **vendor** (all products of that vendor will be selected automatically). 3. Add the vendor’s email address on the **Notification** tab. 4. Create a **separate alert for each vendor**. Optional: * You can **customize the email content** for each vendor using the **Customize Email** option. * You can also [send emails from your email address](/merchbees-low-stock-alert/homepage/setting-up-smtp) for a more professional appearance. ### :page\_with\_curl: **Can I get a CSV file for the low stock items?** Yes, you can. There are two options: 1. Add a **CSV attachment** to the email while creating an alert. 2. Export low-stock items to **Excel** from the **real-time low stock items report**. ### :postbox: **Can I add multiple recipients for an alert?** Yes. You can add up to **20 recipients** by default. If you need more recipients, please **contact us** and we can increase the limit for you. ### :man\_mechanic\_tone1: **Can I translate emails to my language or customize them?** Yes. [🚚 I want to send notifications to each vendor for only their items. Is this possible?](https://app.gitbook.com/o/Ls4hy33bcb2U9nCshGk6/s/-M3Wtw7aUqA46JyrhttF/~/edit/~/changes/164/merchbees-low-stock-alert/homepage/frequently-asked-questions#i-want-to-send-notifications-to-each-vendor-for-only-their-items.-is-this-possible)With the **Customize Email** option, you can: * Use the **WYSIWYG editor**, or * Write your own **HTML code**\ to fully customize your emails. ### :e-mail: **Can I send emails from my email address?** Yes. By using [**SMTP settings**](/merchbees-low-stock-alert/homepage/setting-up-smtp), you can send alert emails directly from your own email address. # 📽️ Video Tutorials ## Merchbees Low Stock Alert - Demo {% embed url="" %} ## How do I create an alert for all products with the same stock threshold? {% embed url="" %} ## How do I create an alert for some specific products? {% embed url="" %} ## How do I create an alert for some specific variants? {% embed url="" %} ## How do I create an alert for one or multiple collections? {% embed url="" %} ## How do I create an alert for a vendor? {% embed url="" %} ## How do I set different stock thresholds for the different items? {% embed url="" %} ## How do I create an alert for a specific location? {% embed url="" %} ## How do I customize or translate the email? {% embed url="" %} # Guide ## How to create an alert on Merchbees? ### Step 1: Open the Create Alert Wizard 1. Go to **List Alerts** page in your Merchbees dashboard. 2. Click **Create Alert**. 3. Open the **Filter and input thresholds** tab (first tab). *** {% hint style="info" %} **Tab 1 - Filter and input thresholds** In **Filter and input thresholds** tab , you need to define your items based on your needs and set your thresholds. {% endhint %} ### Step 2: Define Which Products You Want to Track #### 👉🏻 If you want to track **all products** You don’t need to use any filters. On default, all items are selected. #### 👉🏻 If you want to track **only selected products**, you have two options: **Option A — Select products using Filters** 1. Click **Add Filter**. 2. Choose a filter type (e.g., Product, Variant, Vendor, Tag, Product Type, Location). 3. Select the values you want. > If you add multiple filters, only products that match **all filters** will be included. {% hint style="info" %} **Useful Filtering Options** * **Location**\ Use the *Location* filter to track stock per location. * **Exclusion filters**\ You can exclude products using **Tag, Product Type, Product, or Variant** filters {% endhint %} **Option B — Select products using Excel (Bulk Excel Upload)** 1. Click **Bulk Excel Upload**. 2. Download the file (it will include the products currently in your table). 3. Keep only the products you want to track (or leave others without thresholds—see hint below). 4. Upload the updated file. ### Step 3: Set Thresholds #### 👉🏻 If you want to apply the same threshold to all products Enter values in only: * **Default Min** – minimum stock threshold * **Default Max** – optional, used for automatic reorder calculations #### 👉🏻 If you want to set product-specific thresholds, you have two options **Option A — Set thresholds directly in the table** * Enter threshold values for individual products. **Option B — Set thresholds via Excel (Bulk Excel Upload)** 1. Click **Bulk Excel Upload**. 2. Download the Excel file. 3. Enter threshold values in Excel. 4. Upload the file again. {% hint style="info" %} #### How Default Thresholds Work * If a product does not have a specific threshold, Merchbees applies the **Default Min / Default Max** values. * If **Default thresholds are empty** and the product has **no specific threshold**, **no alert email will be sent** for that product — even if it appears in the table. {% endhint %} ### Step 4: Configure Advanced Settings (Optional) Click **Advanced Settings** if you need more control. Here you can: 1. Enable **incoming stock consideration** for low-stock alerts 2. Switch from **variant-based tracking** to **total product inventory tracking** Click **Continue** to move to the **Frequency** tab. *** {% hint style="info" %} **Tab 2 - Frequency** In Frequency tab, you define **how often** your alert should run and **when** notifications should be sent. {% endhint %} ### Step 5: Define Alert Frequency #### Alert Sending Frequency You can choose to receive notifications **instantly (real-time)** or as **scheduled reports** (daily, weekly, or monthly). 👉🏻 **Instant (Real-Time Alerts)** Select **Instant** if you want to be notified **immediately** when an inventory level changes. * Inventory levels are tracked **in real time**. * When a stock change matches your alert conditions, a notification is sent instantly. * Each notification includes **only one item**, since it is triggered by a single stock change. * After you receive a notification for an item, you will **not receive another notification for the same item** until its stock level goes **above the threshold again** (or the alert is edited). This option is ideal if you want to react quickly to low stock situations. 👉🏻 **Scheduled (Daily / Weekly / Monthly Reports)** Select **Scheduled** if you prefer to receive **summary reports** instead of real-time notifications. * Choose how often the alert should run: **daily, weekly, or monthly**. * Select the **day(s)** and **time** you want to receive notifications. * At the selected time, you will receive **one notification** that includes **all low stock items**, based on your alert settings. **Optional Frequency Settings ( for only scheduled)** * **Send notification only if there is at least one item**\ When enabled, the system will not send an email or Slack message if there are no items matching your alert. This helps prevent empty notifications. * **Do not send the same items in the following reports until the item’s stock is higher than the threshold again**\ When enabled, items that already appeared in a scheduled report will not be included again until their stock level goes above the threshold. This prevents repeated notifications for the same low-stock items. Click **Continue** to move to the **Notification** tab. *** {% hint style="info" %} **Tab 3 - Notification** In this step, you define **how** and **where** you want to receive notifications from Merchbees. {% endhint %} ### Step 6: Notification Details #### Choose Notification Channel 👉🏻 **Email** When selected, Merchbees sends alert notifications via **email**. * **Recipients**\ This is the **To** field of the email.\ Enter one or more valid email addresses and press **Enter** after each one. * **Email Subject**\ This is the **Subject** line of the email notification. * **Customize Email**\ You can customize the email content using: * The built-in editor, or * Your own custom HTML You may also use **Handlebars variables** to personalize the content.\ A custom email template can be provided upon request — please contact **support** for details. * **CSV Attachment**\ Enable this option if you want the system to attach a **CSV file** containing low-stock items to the email.\ This is useful if you want to sort, analyze, or process data in **Excel or spreadsheets**. * **Send from your own email address (SMTP)**\ If you want emails to be sent from your **company email address** instead of `info@merchbees.com`, enable this option. To use this feature, you must configure **SMTP settings** on the Settings page.\ For more information, refer to the documentation: * **Sort Type**\ Select how items should be **sorted in the email** (for example, by stock level, product name, etc.). 👉🏻 **Slack** When selected, Merchbees sends alert notifications to **Slack**. 1. Click **Add to Slack**. 2. Choose the Slack workspace and channel. 3. Low-stock items will be sent directly to the selected channel. #### Alert Name * Enter a name for your alert. * This helps you easily **identify and manage alerts**, especially if you have multiple alerts. **As a final step, click Submit to save your alert.** **Your alert is ready! From now on, you’ll stay ahead of low stock and never miss a sale again.** # Forecast and Reporting Module Bee Low Stock Alert & Forecast :star2: How do I see the suggested reorder quantites? What is the dynamic threshold (day based threshold) feature? {% content-ref url="/pages/uBDggTFy8nRshkyclDus" %} [Replenishment with the Stock Cover Days](/merchbees-low-stock-alert/homepage/forecast-and-reporting-module/replenishment-with-the-stock-cover-days) {% endcontent-ref %} :star2: Merchbees forecast algorithm details {% content-ref url="/pages/1Px1NLW87OS0qlZEq4pR" %} [Forecast Algorithm](/merchbees-low-stock-alert/homepage/forecast-and-reporting-module/forecast-algorithm) {% endcontent-ref %} :star2: Reports {% content-ref url="/pages/nABY9RPkyBXaRgbhGZSK" %} [Reports](/merchbees-low-stock-alert/homepage/forecast-and-reporting-module/reports) {% endcontent-ref %} :star2: Glossary of terms on the reports {% content-ref url="/pages/aTDM3Mrt15YBgM7D0AbH" %} [Glossary of Terms](/merchbees-low-stock-alert/homepage/forecast-and-reporting-module/glossary-of-terms) {% endcontent-ref %} # Replenishment with the Stock Cover Days ### How do I see the suggested reorder quantities? What is the day based threshold? With the Day based threshold, you can set the minimum and maximum stock covers for your products. This way, our application will notify you when a product reaches its minimum stock level and tell you how many units you need to order to reach its maximum stock level. These minimum and maximum quantities will be calculated based on the daily updated forecast values. (You can access the details of the Forecast algorithm [here](https://docs.merchbees.com/merchbees-low-stock-alert/forecast-and-reporting-module/forecast-algorithm).) For example, you can set the **Minimum Stock Cover Days** to **10** and the **Maximum Stock Cover Days** to **30**. This means that you will receive a low stock alert when a product reaches **10 days of stock or less**, and the reorder quantity will be calculated based on **30 days of stock**. For example, let's assume the **Daily Forecast** for a product is **2 units/day**. * **Daily Forecast:** 2 units/day * **Minimum Stock Cover Days:** 10 * **Maximum Stock Cover Days:** 30 **Calculations** * **Minimum Stock Threshold** = Daily Forecast × Minimum Stock Cover Days\ \= 2 × 10 = **20 units** * **Maximum Stock Level** = Daily Forecast × Maximum Stock Cover Days\ \= 2 × 30 = **60 units** * **Reorder Quantity** = Maximum Stock Level − Current Inventory\ \= 60 − Current Inventory **So,** * A low stock alert is sent when the inventory level reaches **20 units**. * The reorder quantity is calculated as **60 units minus the current inventory**. ### Do you have a lead time? If you have a lead time for a product, you should consider lead times when setting minimum stock cover days. Our suggestion is to define minimum stock cover days as lead time + safety stock time. For example, if the total lead time is 14 days, you can add 6 days of safety stock time for that product, and you can set the minimum stock cover days to 20 days. ### How often do you want to place orders? When setting the maximum stock cover days, you can consider how often you want to place orders. For example, if you want to place orders once a month, you can calculate the maximum stock cover days by adding 30 days to the minimum stock cover days. Continuing from the example above, if the minimum stock cover days are 20, and you want to order monthly, you can set the maximum stock cover days to 20 + 30 = 50 days. ### How can I use day based threshold? To use this feature, you first need to create an alert. You can create an alert by clicking the "Create alert" button on the [List Alerts](https://merchbees.com/alerts) page. * **First Tab: Filter and Input Thresholds** In this tab, firstly, you can specify the products for which you want to receive notifications. If you want to work with specific groups of products, you can choose them by clicking the "Add Filter" button. If you want to work with all products, you can proceed without making any selections. Secondly, you should choose "Day" option as "Threshold Type" and enter the values for Minimum Threshold (Minimum Stock Cover Days) and Maximum Level (Maximum Stock Cover Days). If you don't want to receive order suggestions, setting only the minimum threshold value is sufficient. Based on the minimum and maximum stock cover days you enter, you can see how many units of stock are calculated for each product in the table in this tab. * **Second Tab: Frequency** In this tab, you can make choices about how often you want to receive notifications. * **Third Tab: Notification** In this tab, you can select notification channels, recipients, and customize the notification content.\ Finally, after making these selections, you can create the alert by clicking the “Submit” button. ### How can I see the reorder quantities? After creating the alert, you can view low stock items that match your alert criteria and the suggested reorder quantities for them by clicking the Bell🔔 icon on the [List Alerts](https://merchbees.com/alerts) page. Additionally, if you wish to test the type of notification you will receive, you can trigger the email/slack notification by clicking the Run Now▶️ icon under the alert name on the same page. Additionally, you can find other reports under the Reports tab in the left sidebar that are designed to support your analysis and day-to-day operations. For further details, please refer to [Reports page.](/merchbees-low-stock-alert/homepage/forecast-and-reporting-module/reports)
# Replenishment with the Dynamic Threshold (Old Version) ### How do I see the suggested reorder quantites? What is the dynamic threshold feature? With the Dynamic Threshold feature, you can set the minimum and maximum stock covers for your products. This way, our application will notify you when a product reaches its minimum stock level and tell you how many units you need to order to reach its maximum stock level. These minimum and maximum quantities will be calculated based on the daily updated forecast values. (You can access the details of the Forecast algorithm [here](https://docs.merchbees.com/merchbees-low-stock-alert/forecast-and-reporting-module/forecast-algorithm).) For example, you can set the Minimum Stock Cover Days to 10 and the Maximum Stock Cover Days to 30. We will send you an email when the inventory of a product reaches 10 days of stock or less. We calculate the order quantity by subtracting the current inventory from 30 days of stock This means that if the daily forecast for a product is 2, you will receive an email when the inventory level of this product is 10 \* 2 = 20, and we calculate the reorder quantity as 30 \* 2 = 60 minus the current inventory. ### Do you have a lead time? If you have a lead time for a product, you should consider lead times when setting minimum stock cover days. Our suggestion is to define minimum stock cover days as lead time + safety stock time. For example, if the total lead time is 14 days, you can add 6 days of safety stock time for that product, and you can set the minimum stock cover days to 20 days. ### How often do you want to place orders? When setting the maximum stock cover days, you can consider how often you want to place orders. For example, if you want to place orders once a month, you can calculate the maximum stock cover days by adding 30 days to the minimum stock cover days. Continuing from the example above, if the minimum stock cover days are 20, and you want to order monthly, you can set the maximum stock cover days to 20 + 30 = 50 days. ### How can I use the dynamic threshold feature? To use this feature, you first need to create an alert. You can create an alert by clicking the "Create an alert" button on the left sidebar. On the next screen, you should click the "Create" button under "Create Alert Using Advanced Filters." * **First Tab: Define Scope** In this tab, you can specify the products for which you want to receive notifications. If you want to work with specific groups of products, you can select them by clicking the "Advanced Filters" button. You can find detailed information on how to use the Advanced Filters feature in [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHA9oil2wzM) If you want to work with all products, you can proceed without making any selections * **Second Tab: Alert Details** In this tab, you should choose the Dynamic Threshold feature and enter the values for Minimum and Maximum Stock Cover Days. If you don't want to receive order suggestions, setting only the minimum stock cover days value is sufficient. Based on the minimum and maximum stock cover days you enter, you can see how many units of stock are calculated for each product in the table in this tab. * **Third Tab: Alert Frequency** In this tab, you can make choices about how often you want to receive notifications. * **Fourth Tab: Notification Details** In this tab, you can select notification channels, recipients, and customise the notification content.\ If you'd like more information on email customization, you can check out [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY616IzwJ-4). Finally, after making these selections, you can create the alert by clicking the “Submit” button. ### How can I see the reorder quantities? After creating the alert, you can view low stock items that match your alert criteria and the suggested reorder quantities for them by clicking the Bell🔔 icon on the [List Alerts](https://merchbees.com/alarm) page. Additionally, if you wish to test the type of notification you will receive, you can trigger the email/slack notification by clicking the Play ▶️ icon under the Actions column on the same page. Additionally, you can find other reports under the Reports tab in the left sidebar that are designed to support your analysis and day-to-day operations. For further details, please refer to [Reports page.](/merchbees-low-stock-alert/homepage/forecast-and-reporting-module/reports)
# Forecast Algorithm Merchbees look at recent sales and stockout information when generating a forecast. We use the last 30 days **when the product had available inventory** to calculate the sales velocity. 1. We look at sales and stock over the last 30 days. 2. If the product went out of stock during the last 30 days, we would look at the nearest 30 days **when the stock was available** in 90 days to calculate the sales velocity. 3. If the product had less than 30 in-stock days, the forecast is calculated as total sales/ number of in-stock days. *Note: if the number of in-stock days is <= 7, we divide total sales over 7 days by default.* {% hint style="success" %} *If you want to change the 30-day parameter or do not use stockout information please contact us via live chat.* {% endhint %} {% hint style="info" %} There is one exceptional case in which we **do not use stockout information**; 'continue selling when out-of-stock products'. {% endhint %} ### Continue selling when out-of-stock products Since these products can be sellable independent of inventory on hand. Merchbees do not use stock-out information for these types of products. The forecast is calculated as average sales for the last 30 days for them. ### New accounts Merchbees starts to keep inventory history when you subscribe to Enterprise+ Plan. Since we cannot see past inventory data, we assume that all products have positive inventory before you subscribe to this plan. > :wave: If you have a different need for a forecast, please don't hesitate to contact us! We are always here to help!\ > You can say hello with live chat on [merchbees.com](https://merchbees.com/) or send an email to . # Reports On the Bee Low Stock Alert & Forecast, under the Reports tab in the left sidebar, you can access reports that will assist you in your analysis and daily operations. **Forecast & Stock Analysis** In this report, you can review historical sales, daily forecast values, inventory levels, and stock cover days for all active products. **ABC Analysis** This report provides A-B-C class information calculated based on the sales performance of all products sold in the last 30 days. It includes details on the percentage of total sales contributed by each product. **Stockout Items** Here, you can view all active and out-of-stock products, along with their historical sales and current stock information. **Stock Value** This report enables you to assess the stock value of all active and stocked products, considering stock cost and selling price. In all reports, you have the option to click the "Column Visibility" button in the upper left to add extra columns you want to see. You can also rearrange columns by dragging and dropping them as needed. For explanations of all column values, you can refer to [Glossary of Terms.](/merchbees-low-stock-alert/homepage/forecast-and-reporting-module/glossary-of-terms) # Glossary of Terms Glossary of terms for the Bee Low Stock Alert & Forecast. {% hint style="info" %} ### *If there are no additional notes, the metrics are calculated based on variant and location dimension.* {% endhint %} ### **7 Days Sales** The number of units sold in the previous seven days. ### **14 Days Sales** The number of units sold in the previous fourteen days. ### **30 Days Sales** The number of units sold in the previous thirty days. ### **60 Days Sales** The number of units sold in the previous sixty days. ### **90 Days Sales** The number of units sold in the previous ninety days. ### **Barcode** Barcode shows the code in the "Barcode" field on the Shopify product page. ### **Class** Class shows the sales performance of the variants. “A” Class includes SKUs comprising the top 80% of sales quantity, “B” Class is the next 15%, and “C” Class is the final 5%. {% hint style="info" %} Class is calculated based on sales of the variants on entire store within the last 30 days of sales. It is not calculated location based. {% endhint %} ### **Cost** Cost shows the value in the "Cost per item" field on the Shopify product page. ### **Daily Forecast** Projected customer demand shows as sales quantity for a day. You can find more detail on how to calculate the daily forecast [here.](https://docs.merchbees.com/merchbees-low-stock-alert/forecast-and-reporting-module/forecast-algorithm) ### **Incoming Inventory** The number of incoming units. ### **Inventory Cost** Inventory cost = cost \* inventory quantity Inventory cost is the total value of inventory on hand according to variant or product cost. ### **Inventory Price** Inventory price = price \* inventory quantity Inventory price is the total value of inventory on hand according to variant or product price. ### **Inventory Quantity** The number of units in stock. Inventory quantity shows the quantity in the "Available" field on the Shopify product page. ### **Location** A location is a physical place or an app where you do any or all of the following activities: sell products, ship or fulfill orders, and stock inventory. If the Location field is "All Locations", all calculations are made based on the total sales or inventory belonging to all locations for your store. ### **Price** The price that you're charging for the product. It shows the value in the "Price" field on the Shopify product page. ### **Product ID** The unique ID (identification number) for the product is assigned by Shopify. ### **Product Name** The name of the product shows the name in the "Title" field on the Shopify product page. ### **Product Type** Product type shows the label in the "Product Type" field on the Shopify product page. ### **Sales%** Sales% = the number of units sold in the previous 30 days of one variant / number of all units sold in the previous 30 days across all variants ### **SKU** The Stock Keeping Unit refers to a unique code you assign to your variant or product. It shows the code in the "SKU" field on the Shopify product page. ### **Status** It shows the status of the product. It can be Active, Draft, or Archived. ### **Stock Cover Days** Stock Cover Days = Inventory Quantity / Daily Forecast The number of days the available inventory (inventory quantity) will last based on the forecast. ### Tags Tags shows the label in the "Tags" field on the Shopify product page. ### **Variant ID** The unique ID (identification number) for the variant is assigned by Shopify. ### **Variant Name** A variant is the most granular level of items for sale in your store. This will include the type of the item such as the color or size when available. The variant name is assigned based on the options that you choose while creating the product and their variants on the Shopify product page. If you see "Default Title" on the variant name, this product does not have any options like size or color. ### **Vendor** The manufacturer, wholesaler, or other vendor for the product. # Setting up SMTP To send emails from your own email address, you need to setup SMTP. You can find the sample SMTP settings for the well-known services below. {% tabs %} {% tab title="Gmail, Google Apps" %} There are two ways of using Gmail, Google Apps as SMTP source. You can enable two-factor authentication or use the default Gmail. We suggest you use two-factor authentication for better security. Find below the necessary actions for the specified methods :point\_down: **Method 1: Using Gmail/Google Apps with two-factor authentication** * Go to [the app passwords ](https://security.google.com/settings/security/apppasswords)page on your google account to generate an app password. * Select app type as **Mail** and Device as **Other** (You can name it as merchbees if you like) * Copy the generated app password. * On the [SMTP Settings page,](https://merchbees.com/setting/smtp) enter the below information. {% hint style="success" %} **Host:** smtp.gmail.com \ **Port:** 465 \ **Use SSL:** True \ **Username:** Your email address \ **Password:** App password (It is generated in the previous step.) {% endhint %} **Method 2: Using Gmail/Google Apps without two-factor authentication** * You need to change two settings on your google account. * Enable less secure apps option [here](https://myaccount.google.com/lesssecureapps). * Unlock captcha [here](https://accounts.google.com/b/0/displayunlockcaptcha). * On the [SMTP Settings page,](https://merchbees.com/setting/smtp) enter the below information. {% hint style="success" %} **Host**: smtp.gmail.com \ **Port:** 465 \ **Use SSL:** True \ **Username:** Your email address \ **Password:** Your email password {% endhint %} {% endtab %} {% tab title="Yahoo" %} On the [SMTP Settings page,](https://merchbees.com/setting/smtp) enter the below information.:point\_down: {% hint style="success" %} **Host:** smtp.mail.yahoo.com \ **Port:** 465 \ **Use SSL:** True \ **Username:** Your email address \ **Password:** Your email password {% endhint %} {% endtab %} {% tab title="Hotmail" %} On the [SMTP Settings page,](https://merchbees.com/setting/smtp) enter the below information.:point\_down: {% hint style="success" %} **Host:** smtp-mail.outlook.com \ **Port:** 587\ **Use SSL:** False\ **Username:** Your email address \ **Password:** Your email password {% endhint %} {% endtab %} {% tab title="Yandex" %} On the [SMTP Settings page,](https://merchbees.com/setting/smtp) enter the below information.:point\_down: {% hint style="success" %} **Host:** smtp.yandex.com \ **Port:** 465\ **Use SSL:** True \ **Username:** Your email address \ **Password:** Your email password {% endhint %} {% endtab %} {% endtabs %} If you are using a different email provider, then you can search for the provider's SMTP details. If you can't find out, let us know. We are always here to help! # Changelog Changelog for Bee Low Stock Alert & Forecast ### 1.0.0 - 01-04-2020 Merchbees Low Stock Alert was launched! :tada: ### 1.0.1 - 02-04-2020 #### Added * Launched a new [documentation portal](https://docs.merchbees.com). ### 1.0.2 - 05-04-2020 #### Added * The default timezone in scheduled alarms changed from UTC to Shopify Shop's timezone. * Added a new live chat portal. #### Fixed * Bugfix on Official Shopify Nodejs API related to [Api throttle status](https://github.com/MONEI/Shopify-api-node/pull/366). ### 1.0.3 - 11-04-2020 #### Added * Added Test alert feature. You can test your alert settings instantly. * Users don't get any duplicate email alert for the same item until the stock level is above the threshold again. * The threshold value can be changed on the low stock item page. ### 1.0.4 - 19-04-2020 #### Added * Added duplicate alert feature. Existing alerts can be cloned to create new ones. ### 1.0.5 - 04-05-2020 #### Added * Added PDF, CSV, Excel export options as well as printing and copying features to the low stock items page. * Select all - Deselect All buttons are added for the advanced filtering section on alert creation pages. ### 1.0.6 - 06-05-2020 #### Added * Added Low stock item viewer page for each alert so that users can check their items' status based on the alert rules. * Added Generic low stock item page to see all variants. Users can set their global threshold value for this screen. ### 1.0.7 - 07-05-2020 #### Added * Scheduled alerts are able to keep their history so that the system doesn't send the same items in the following days. This feature can be enabled while creating or editing the alert. ![](/files/-M6k_LvIqM1erjPCgB37) ### 1.0.8 - 14-05-2020 #### Added * Added custom email feature. ![](/files/-M7Hj_TRixZEOr5_I8eb) #### Fixed * Minor bug fixes ### 1.0.9 - 19-05-2020 #### Added * SMTP settings are added. Alerts will have the ability to send from the customer's own email address via SMTP. ### 1.0.10 - 31-05-2020 #### Fixed * Minor bug fixes ### 1.0.11 - 04-06-2020 #### Added * SKU based filtering added to advanced filters section. * Vendor information added to the CSV attachments ### 1.1.0 - 07-06-2020 #### Added * Slack Integration ### 1.1.1 - 25-07-2020 #### Modified * Alert creation pages revised. #### Added * The item list is visible on the alert creation screen now for a better UX. ### 1.1.2 - 03-08-2020 #### Added * The monthly scheduled alert option is added. ### 1.1.3 - 07-09-2020 #### Added * Setting different thresholds for different variants in an alert feature is added. ### 1.1.4 - 21-09-2020 #### Added * Pure HTML option is added on the Custom Email. ### 1.1.5 - 03-12-2020 **Added** * Sorting options added for low stock items list ### 1.1.6 - 10-01-2021 **Added** * Creating alerts by bulk export/import with CSV feature is added. ### 1.1.7 - 08-08-2021 **Added** * The maximum stock level (order up to level) field is added. Order quantity is calculated automatically by using this field. ### 1.1.8 - 20-09-2021 * Column Visibility feature is added to choose the columns that you want to see. ### 2.0.0- 24-10-2022 **Big Feature Added** :tada: * Forecasting feature added. \ While creating an alert, customers enter days of stock parameters, and minimum and maximum stock levels are calculated dynamically based on daily forecasting. ### 2.0.1- 8-11-2022 * Creating alerts by bulk export/import with Excel feature is added. ### 2.0.2- 12-01-2023 * Forecast & Stock Analysis report is launched. ### 2.0.3- 16-01-2023 * The forecating algorithm is updated. Now, it uses the product's in-stock / out-of-stock information. ### 2.0.4- 19-02-2023 * New metrics are added to reports; 14 Days Sales, 60 Days Sales, Sales%, Class, Barcode, Product Type, Cost, Price, Inventory Cost, Inventory Price, Status ### 2.0.5- 01-03-2023 * To see all columns on the Reports without clicking plus icon, scrolling feature is added. ### 2.0.6- 03-03-2023 * The row limit of exporting for sales and forecast reports is removed. Now, you can export the entire report to Excel. ### 2.0.7- 09-03-2023 * Incoming inventory quantity is also checked while doing low stock alert calculation. ### 2.0.8- 11-03-2023 * Minimum Stock Threshold, Maximum Stock Level and Replenishment Order columns are added to Low Stock Items page for the related alerts. ### 2.0.9- 15-07-2023 * ABC Sales Performance and Stock Value reports are launched. # Homepage Merchbees Inventory Value :last\_quarter\_moon\_with\_face: Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for Merchbees Inventory Value. {% content-ref url="/pages/-MJqKADoR73AOPXTWXE8" %} [Frequently Asked Questions](/merchbees-inventory-value/homepage/frequently-asked-questions) {% endcontent-ref %} :last\_quarter\_moon\_with\_face: See all improvements on our Changelog for Merchbees Inventory Value. {% content-ref url="/pages/-MJqPvMjNdhqO1JlJOcR" %} [Changelog](/merchbees-inventory-value/homepage/changelog) {% endcontent-ref %} # Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions for Merchbees Inventory Value. ### ⚖️ How to calculate inventory values of products based on cost and price? Total Value (Cost) is calculated by taking the "stock cost" of a product or variant, and it is multiplied by the quantity of that item in stock. Total Value (Price) is calculated by taking the "price" of a product or variant, and it is multiplied by the quantity of that item in stock. ### 💰 All my products don't have an inventory cost. How do I enter the value? You should enter the cost on the Shopify Admin page. As soon as you update the cost of a product, it reflects on the Merchbees page. :wave: If you have additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact us! We are always here to help!\ You can say hello with live chat on [merchbees.com](https://merchbees.com/) or send an email to . # Changelog Changelog for Merchbes Inventory Value ### 1.0.0 - 01-10-2020 Merchbees Inventory Value was launched! :tada: ### **1.0.1 - 16-10-2020** #### Added * Vendor information is added. ### 1.0.2 - 02-11-2020 #### Added * Product filter is added. ### 1.0.3 - 30-11-2020 #### Added * Variant filter is added. ### 1.0.4 - 01-12-2020 #### Added * Negative inventory exclusion filters are added. * Location filter is added. ### **1.0.4 - 01-12-2020** **Added** * Fixed table header is added. ### **1.0.5 - 10-01-2021** **Added** * Advanced filtering logic is added. The users can choose the filter applied logic; exclude/include & and/or. * Collection filter is added. ### **1.0.5 - 30-03-2021** **Updated** * Non-tracked items are represented with the "non-tracked" label on the Inventory Quantity column. #### Added * The "Hide non-tracked products" option is added to the Filters section. ### **1.0.6 - 18-09-2021** #### Added * Inventory Values by Collection page is added. You can also see product-based inventory values by clicking on each collection. ### **1.0.6 - 20-09-2021** #### Added * Variant Id, Barcode, and Status (active, draft, archived) columns are added to the See Inventory Values page. * Status filter is added to the See Inventory Values page. * Column Visibility feature is added to choose the columns that you want to see. ### **1.0.7 - 24-10-2021** #### Added * "Tags" column is added to the See Inventory Values page. ### **1.1.0 - 28-06-2022** #### Added * Historical monthly snapshot feature is added. ### **1.1.1 - 07-09-2022** #### Added * Historical weekly snapshot feature is added. ### **1.1.2 - 07-12-2022** #### Improvement * The performance of the Inventory Values by Collection page is optimized. # Homepage Bee Forecast & Replenishment :star2: Frequently Asked Questions for Bee Replenishment & Forecast. {% content-ref url="/pages/FbvcJHcrHBFg7QAzn0OM" %} [Frequently Asked Questions](/bee-forecast-and-replenishment/homepage/frequently-asked-questions) {% endcontent-ref %} :star2: How are forecasting demand and replenishment quantities calculated? {% content-ref url="/pages/f4iWfuiXAuTbsgixh4me" %} [Forecast & Replenishment Calculations](/bee-forecast-and-replenishment/homepage/forecast-and-replenishment-calculations) {% endcontent-ref %} :star2: Reports {% content-ref url="/pages/S6oDeBeoLULfCNLxeQmf" %} [Reports](/bee-forecast-and-replenishment/homepage/reports) {% endcontent-ref %} :star2: Learn what your metrics mean and how they are computed. {% content-ref url="/pages/GjnouBC5Mrm5imEhQBHf" %} [Glossary of Terms](/bee-forecast-and-replenishment/homepage/glossary-of-terms) {% endcontent-ref %} :star2: See all improvements on our Changelog. {% content-ref url="/pages/un2hErgLelbFCps6XAH0" %} [Changelog](/bee-forecast-and-replenishment/homepage/changelog) {% endcontent-ref %} # Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions for Bee Forecast & Replenishment. 1. [General Questions](#general-questions) * [What is Bee Forecast & Replenishment?](#what-is-bee-forecast-and-replenishment) * [How does Bee Forecast & Replenishment work?](#how-does-bee-forecast-and-replenishment-work) * [How quickly can I expect to see results?](#how-quickly-can-i-expect-to-see-results) 2. [Features and Functionality](#features-and-functionality) * [How often is data updated and when are reports refreshed?](#how-often-is-data-updated-and-when-are-reports-refreshed) * [Does Bee Forecast & Replenishment support multiple locations?](#does-bee-forecast-and-replenishment-support-multiple-locations) * [Can Bee Forecast & Replenishment manage inventory for both online and offline sales channels?](#can-bee-forecast-and-replenishment-manage-inventory-for-both-online-and-offline-sales-channels) * [How does the forecasting algorithm work?](#how-does-the-forecasting-algorithm-work) * [Can Bee Forecast & Replenishment optimize inventory levels to minimize waste or overstocking?](#can-bee-forecast-and-replenishment-optimize-inventory-levels-to-minimize-waste-or-overstocking) * [Does Bee Forecast & Replenishment provide analytics and insights into inventory performance?](#does-bee-forecast-and-replenishment-provide-analytics-and-insights-into-inventory-performance) 3. [Support and Pricing](#support-and-pricing) * [Does Bee Forecast & Replenishment provide live support?](#does-bee-forecast-and-replenishment-provide-live-support) * [What are the pricing plans?](#what-are-the-pricing-plans) * [Can I try Bee Forecast & Replenishment before purchasing?](#can-i-try-bee-forecast-and-replenishment-before-purchasing) * [What should I do if I encounter an issue?](#what-should-i-do-if-i-encounter-an-issue) * [Can I request a new feature?](#can-i-request-a-new-feature) *** ### General Questions #### What is Bee Forecast & Replenishment? A: Bee Forecast & Replenishment is a comprehensive inventory management solution designed to help businesses optimize their stock levels, forecast demand accurately, and streamline the replenishment process. #### How does Bee Forecast & Replenishment work? A: The application uses advanced algorithms and historical data to predict future inventory needs, ensuring that you have the right amount of stock at the right time. It also provides insights and recommendations to help you make informed decisions about your inventory. #### How quickly can I expect to see results? A: Initial setup and historical order data import typically take from 10 minutes to a few hours, depending on the data size. After setup, you can immediately start using Bee Forecast & Replenishment's features and observe improvements in your inventory management. ### Features and Functionality #### How often is data updated and when are reports refreshed? A: Daily data starts being collected precisely at midnight (00:00) every day. After the daily data is collected, forecast and replenishment values are calculated, and all reports are updated accordingly. #### Does Bee Forecast & Replenishment support multiple locations? A: Yes, Bee Forecast & Replenishment supports multiple locations and generates results based on each specific location. All data is maintained at the location-variant (SKU) level, and reports, forecasts, and replenishment results are provided accordingly. Additionally, reports and results are generated based on the total sales and stock across all locations. #### Can Bee Forecast & Replenishment manage inventory for both online and offline sales channels? A: Absolutely, Bee Forecast & Replenishment can handle inventory for both online and offline sales channels, provided you use Shopify POS or track your store inventory on Shopify. This integration enables seamless inventory management across all sales channels. #### How does the forecasting algorithm work? A: The forecasting algorithm in Bee Forecast & Replenishment analyzes historical sales and inventory data to determine optimal restocking times, quantities, and products. Detailed information about the forecasting algorithm can be found [here](https://docs.merchbees.com/bee-forecast-and-replenishment/homepage/forecast-algorithm). #### Can Bee Forecast & Replenishment optimize inventory levels to minimize waste or overstocking? A: Yes, Bee Forecast & Replenishment is designed to optimize your inventory levels, reducing waste and preventing overstocking. [By identifying and adjusting outlier sales in historical data,](/bee-forecast-and-replenishment/homepage/forecast-and-replenishment-calculations/outlier-sales) the system improves forecast accuracy and helps avoid excess inventory. #### Does Bee Forecast & Replenishment provide analytics and insights into inventory performance? A: Certainly, Bee Forecast & Replenishment offers [detailed inventory reports and analytics](/bee-forecast-and-replenishment/homepage/reports), giving you valuable insights into your inventory performance and helping you make data-driven decisions. ### Support and Pricing #### Does Bee Forecast & Replenishment provide live support? A: Yes, live support is available through the chat feature on our app and website. Our customer support team, composed of supply chain experts, is always ready to assist you with any questions or issues. #### What are the pricing plans? A: We offer various pricing plans to suit different business sizes and needs. For detailed pricing information, [please visit our pricing page.](https://merchbees.com/subscription/forecast-replenishment) #### Can I try Bee Forecast & Replenishment before purchasing? A: Yes, we offer a 14-day free trial period for new users to explore the features and benefits of our application before committing to a subscription. #### What should I do if I encounter an issue? A: If you experience any problems, please contact our support team for assistance. You can reach us via live chat on [merchbees.com](https://merchbees.com/) or send an email to We are here to help resolve any issues promptly. #### Can I request a new feature? A: The Merchbees team always listens to customer feedback and continues to develop the application based on that feedback. You can share the feature you are looking for [here](https://merchbees.nolt.io/). We prioritize development based on the upvote count of requested features. # Forecast & Replenishment Calculations :star2: How is forecasting demand calculated? {% content-ref url="/pages/3SK3ClG0VBHKaOsFJ4We" %} [Forecast Algorithm](/bee-forecast-and-replenishment/homepage/forecast-and-replenishment-calculations/forecast-algorithm) {% endcontent-ref %} :star2: What are outlier sales and how do they affect the forecast algorithm? {% content-ref url="/pages/RB1N9H6VvfaXkvTkco8b" %} [Outlier Sales](/bee-forecast-and-replenishment/homepage/forecast-and-replenishment-calculations/outlier-sales) {% endcontent-ref %} :star2: How are replenishment quantities calculated? {% content-ref url="/pages/iW8i4KBL6zX4Z6Z3u8gy" %} [Replenishment Calculation](/bee-forecast-and-replenishment/homepage/forecast-and-replenishment-calculations/replenishment-calculation) {% endcontent-ref %} # Forecast Algorithm Forecast algorithm for the Bee Forecast & Replenishment. Merchbees look at recent sales and stockout information when generating a forecast. By default, we use the last 30 days **when the product had available inventory** to calculate the sales velocity. 1. We look at sales and stock over the last 30 days. 2. If the product went out of stock during the last 30 days, we would look at the nearest 30 days **when the stock was available** in 90 days to calculate the sales velocity. 3. If the product had less than 30 in-stock days, the forecast is calculated as total sales/ number of in-stock days. *Note: if the number of in-stock days is <= 7, we divide total sales over 7 days by default.*
### **Parameters** #### **- Compute forecast using orders in the last** If you want to include more than 30 days in the forecast calculation, you can choose the 60 or 90 days options on the [Settings](https://merchbees.com/forecast-replenishment/setting) page.
#### **- Use stockout information** By default, when calculating the forecast, we do not include the days the product was out of stock since the product cannot make sales on those days. By excluding stockout days, we base the forecast on the sales performance of the product during in-stock days. Not including stockout days in the forecast algorithm significantly improves and affects forecast accuracy. However, if you do not want to use stockout information and want to include all days in the forecast algorithm, you can uncheck the "Use stockout information" checkbox. {% hint style="warning" %} **Exclusion**\ There is one exceptional case in which we **do not use stockout information**; 'continue selling when out-of-stock products'. Since these products can be sold independently of inventory on hand, Merchbees do not use stockout information for these types of products. {% endhint %} {% hint style="info" %} **New Accounts** Merchbees starts to keep inventory history during the free trial period and continues to do so if you subscribe to any Bee Forecast & Replenishment plan. Since we cannot see past inventory data, we assume that all products had positive inventory before you installed the application. {% endhint %} #### **- Eliminate outlier sales** In the forecast algorithm, outlier adjustment is done if the "Eliminate outlier sales" checkbox is selected. If you want to include outlier sales in the forecast, you can uncheck this checkbox. [What are outlier sales and how do they affect the forecast algorithm?](/bee-forecast-and-replenishment/homepage/forecast-and-replenishment-calculations/outlier-sales) > :wave: If you have a different need for a forecast, please don't hesitate to contact us! We are always here to help!\ > You can say hello with live chat on [merchbees.com](https://merchbees.com/) or send an email to . # Outlier Sales Outlier detecting and adjusting functionality of the Bee Forecast & Replenishment. #### What are Outlier Sales? Outlier sales refer to sales data points that significantly deviate from the typical sales patterns. These can be unusually high sales figures that do not align with the expected trends. Outliers can be caused by factors such as wholesales, seasonal promotions, or other exceptional circumstances.
#### Why is it Important to Detect and Adjust Outlier Sales in Forecasting? Detecting and adjusting outlier sales is crucial for accurate sales forecasting. If outlier sales are not detected and adjusted, it can result in overestimating demand. This can lead to overstocking, which increases inventory costs and ties up capital. #### How Does the Merchbees Outlier Algorithm Work and How Does It Affect Forecasting? The Merchbees outlier algorithm analyzes the sales data for each variant-location combination over the past 90 days. It identifies the daily sales pattern for the item at the specific location and detects sales that deviate from this pattern. When calculating the forecast, the detected outlier sales are excluded. Instead, for the days with outliers, the highest non-outlier daily sales quantity for that item at the respective location is included as the adjusted sales in the forecast calculation.
On the[ **Outliers page**](https://merchbees.com/forecast-replenishment/outliers)**,** * The Sales Quantity column shows the total sales that occurred on that day for the specific location-variant. * The Outlier column indicates how many sales were identified as outliers. For example, if the Sales Quantity is 50 and the Outlier is 48, then the Adjusted Sales would be 50-48=2. This means that for forecasting purposes, it is considered as if there were 2 sales on that day. {% hint style="info" %} In the forecast algorithm, outlier adjusting is done if the "Eliminate outlier sales" checkbox is selected on the [Settings](https://merchbees.com/forecast-replenishment/setting) page. If you want to include outlier sales in the forecast, you can uncheck this checkbox. {% endhint %} > :wave: If you have a different need for a forecast, please don't hesitate to contact us! We are always here to help!\ > You can say hello with live chat on [merchbees.com](https://merchbees.com/) or send an email to . # Replenishment Calculation This documentation outlines how replenishment quantities are calculated in Bee Forecast & Replenishment. The calculations are based on several key parameters: Lead Time, Days of Stock, Lead Time Forecast, Days of Stock Forecast, and Inventory Quantities. ### Parameters to Set #### Lead Time **Definition**: The amount of time it takes to order an item from the vendor and receive it into inventory, shown in number of days. {% hint style="info" %} When setting the Lead Time parameter, consider including a safety stock time. Lead times are generally average durations and may not always be precise. Therefore, you can add a safety stock time to the estimated lead time. For example, if the total lead time is 14 days, you can add 6 days of safety stock time, setting the minimum stock cover days to 20 days. {% endhint %} #### Days of Stock **Definition**: The number of days that inventory should cover. When setting the Days of Stock, consider how frequently you want to place orders. For example, if you want to place orders once a month, you can set Days of Stock to 30 days {% hint style="success" %} When you change the Lead Time and Days of Stock parameter on [Settings](https://merchbees.com/forecast-replenishment/setting) page, lead time forecasts, days of stock forecasts and replenishment quantities are updated in real time on [Replenishment page.](https://merchbees.com/forecast-replenishment/report/replenishment) {% endhint %} ### Forecast Calculations Based on the set Lead Time and Days of Stock parameters, the Lead Time Forecast and Days of Stock Forecast values are calculated. You can review how the Daily Forecast is calculated [on this page.](/bee-forecast-and-replenishment/homepage/forecast-and-replenishment-calculations/forecast-algorithm) #### Lead Time Forecast **Definition**: The number of units that Bee Forecast & Replenishment estimates will be needed during the specified lead time. **Formula**: *Lead Time Forecast = Daily Forecast \* Lead Time* #### Days of Stock Forecast **Definition**: The number of units that Bee Forecast & Replenishment estimates will be needed during the specified days of stock. **Formula**: *Days of Stock Forecast = Daily Forecast \* Days of Stock* ### Replenishment Calculation Replenishment is based on forecasted demand and indicates how many more units are needed to meet customer demand. **Considerations**: * Inventory quantity * On order or transfer quantities in Shopify (incoming inventory) * Continued selling during the lead time (lead time forecast) * Units needed to meet demand during the days of stock (days of stock forecast) **Formulas**: 1. *Lead Time Closing Stock : Max (0, (Inventory Quantity + Incoming Inventory) - Lead Time Forecast)* 2. *Replenishment Quantity : Days of Stock Forecast - Lead Time Closing Stock* ### Example Calculation To illustrate the replenishment calculation, let's consider an example: * Daily Forecast: 2 units * Lead Time: 7 days * Days of Stock: 30 days * Inventory Quantity: 10 units * Incoming Inventory: 5 units **Step-by-Step Calculation** 1. Lead Time Forecast: Lead Time Forecast = 2 units/day \* 7 days = 14 units 2. Days of Stock Forecast: Days of Stock Forecast = 2 units/day \* 30 days = 60 units 3. Lead Time Closing Stock: Max (0, (10 units + 5 units) - 14 units) Lead Time Closing Stock = Max (0, 15 units - 14 units) = 1 unit 4. Replenishment Quantity: 60 units - 1 unit = 59 units Thus, the replenishment quantity needed to meet customer demand is 59 units. This calculation method ensures that you always have the right amount of inventory to meet customer demand while avoiding overstocking or stockouts. > :wave: If you have a different need for a forecast, please don't hesitate to contact us! We are always here to help!\ > You can say hello with live chat on [merchbees.com](https://merchbees.com/) or send an email to . # Reports On Bee Forecast & Replenishment, under the Reports tab in the left sidebar, you can access reports that will assist you in your analysis and daily operations. **ABC Analysis** This report provides A-B-C class information calculated based on the sales performance of all products sold in the last 30 days. It includes details on the percentage of total sales contributed by each product. It also shows historical sales of whole year. **Stockout Items** Here, you can view all active and out-of-stock products, along with their historical sales and current stock information. **Inventory Value** This report enables you to assess the stock value of all active and stocked products, considering stock cost and selling price. In all reports, you have the option to click the "Column Visibility" button in the upper left to add extra columns you want to see. You can also rearrange columns by dragging and dropping them as needed. For explanations of all column values, you can refer to [Glossary of Terms.](/bee-forecast-and-replenishment/homepage/glossary-of-terms) > :wave: If you have a different need for a forecast, please don't hesitate to contact us! We are always here to help!\ > You can say hello with live chat on [merchbees.com](https://merchbees.com/) or send an email to . # Glossary of Terms Glossary of terms for the Bee Forecast & Replenishment. {% hint style="info" %} *If there are no additional notes, the metrics are calculated based on variant and location dimension.* {% endhint %} ## **Sales** #### **7 Days Sales** The number of units sold in the previous seven days. #### **14 Days Sales** The number of units sold in the previous fourteen days. #### **Monthly Sales** The number of units sold in the last month. #### **2 Month Sales** The number of units sold in the last two months. #### **3 Month Sales** The number of units sold in the last three months. #### **6 Month Sales** The number of units sold in the last six months. #### **Yearly Sales** The number of units sold in the last year. #### **Sales%** Sales% = the number of units sold in the previous 30 days of one variant / number of all units sold in the previous 30 days across all variants #### **First Sold At** The date when the variant was first sold. #### **Last Sold At** The date when the variant was last sold. #### Outlier Sales On the reports, the Outlier Sales column is represented in the format "48 on 2024/05/18". This means that 48 units of sales were eliminated on this date since these sales are outliers. To get more information about outlier sales, please check [this page.](/bee-forecast-and-replenishment/homepage/forecast-and-replenishment-calculations/outlier-sales) You can see all outlier sales on the [Outlier Sales](https://merchbees.com/forecast-replenishment/outliers) page. *** ## **Sales Performance** #### **Class** Class shows the sales performance of the variants. “A” Class includes SKUs comprising the top 80% of sales quantity, “B” Class is the next 15%, and “C” Class is the final 5%. Class is calculated based on sales of the variants on entire store within the last 30 days of sales. It is not calculated location based. #### **Stock Age** This shows how many days a stock item has not been sold. It is calculated by subtracting the variant's last sold date from today's date. * If the variant has not been sold in the last year, the stock age is calculated based on the date the variant was created. * If the variant was created more than a year ago and has not been sold in the past year, the stock age is shown as 366 days. * For out-of-stock items, a value of 0 is displayed in this field. *** ## **Inventory** #### **Inventory Quantity** The number of units in stock. Inventory quantity shows the quantity in the "Available" field on the Shopify product page. #### **Incoming Inventory** The number of incoming units. #### **Inventory Cost** Inventory cost is the total value of inventory on hand according to variant or product cost. *Inventory cost = cost \* inventory quantity* #### **Inventory Price** Inventory price is the total value of inventory on hand according to variant or product price. *Inventory price = price \* inventory quantity* #### Inventory Policy If the item continues selling when out of stock, it shows "continue." Otherwise, it shows "deny." #### Is Tracked If the product's inventory is tracked by Shopify, it appears as true. If it is not tracked, it appears as false. *** ## **Forecast & Replenishment** #### **Daily Forecast** Projected customer demand shows as sales quantity for a day. You can find more detail on how to calculate the forecast [here.](/bee-forecast-and-replenishment/homepage/forecast-and-replenishment-calculations/forecast-algorithm) #### **Weekly Forecast** Projected customer demand shows as sales quantity for a week. You can find more detail on how to calculate the forecast [here.](/bee-forecast-and-replenishment/homepage/forecast-and-replenishment-calculations/forecast-algorithm) #### **Lead Time** The amount of time it takes to order a item from the vendor and receive it into inventory is shown in number of days. When you change the Lead Time parameter on [Settings](https://merchbees.com/forecast-replenishment/setting) page, [days of stock forecasts](#days-of-stock-forecast) and [replenishment quantities](#replenishment-quantity) are updated in real time. #### **Days of Stock** The number of days that inventory should cover. When you change the Days of Stock parameter on [Settings](https://merchbees.com/forecast-replenishment/setting) page, [lead time forecasts](#lead-time-forecast) and r[eplenishment quantities](#replenishment-quantity) are updated in real time. #### **Lead Time Forecast** The number of units that Merchbees estimates will be needed during the specified lead time. *Lead Time Forecast = Daily Forecast \* Lead Time* #### **Days of Stock Forecast** The number of units that Merchbees estimates will be needed during the specified days of stock. *Days of Stock Forecast = Daily Forecast \* Days of Stock* #### Replenishment Quantity Replenishment is based on forecasted demand and indicates how many more units are needed in order to meet customer demand. \ \ It takes into consideration inventory quantity, on order or transfer quantities (incoming inventory), continued selling during the lead time (lead time forecast), and how many units are needed to meet demand during the days of stock (days of stock forecast). *Lead Time Closing Stock = Max (0, (Inventory Quantity + Incoming Inventory) - Lead Time Forecast)* *Replenishment Quantity = Days of Stock Forecast - Lead Time Closing Stock* *** ## **Forecast & Inventory** #### **Stock Cover Days** The number of days the available inventory (inventory quantity) will last based on the forecast. *Stock Cover Days = Inventory Quantity / Daily Forecast* *** ## **Product Info** #### Image It shows variant's image. #### **Product Name** The name of the product shows the name in the "Title" field on the Shopify product page. #### **Product ID** The unique ID (identification number) for the product is assigned by Shopify. #### **Variant Name** A variant is the most granular level of items for sale in your store. This will include the type of the item such as the color or size when available. The variant name is assigned based on the options that you choose while creating the product and their variants on the Shopify product page. If you see "Default Title" on the variant name, this product does not have any options like size or color. #### **Variant ID** The unique ID (identification number) for the variant is assigned by Shopify. #### **SKU** The Stock Keeping Unit refers to a unique code you assign to your variant or product. It shows the code in the "SKU" field on the Shopify product page. #### **Barcode** Barcode shows the code in the "Barcode" field on the Shopify product page. #### **Product Type** Product type shows the label in the "Product Type" field on the Shopify product page. #### **Vendor** The manufacturer, wholesaler, or other vendor for the product. #### **Cost** Cost shows the value in the "Cost per item" field on the Shopify product page. #### **Price** The price that you're charging for the product. It shows the value in the "Price" field on the Shopify product page. #### **Status** It shows the status of the product. It can be Active, Draft, or Archived. #### Tags Tags shows the label in the "Tags" field on the Shopify product page. #### **Created At** The time when the variant was created #### **Variant Age** It is calculated by subtracting today's date from the date the variant was created. #### Is Published If the product is published, it appears as true. If it is not published, it appears as false. *** ## Others #### **Location** A location is a physical place or an app where you do any or all of the following activities: sell products, ship or fulfill orders, and stock inventory. If the Location field is "All Locations", all calculations are made based on the total sales or inventory belonging to all locations for your store. > :wave: If you have a different need for a forecast, please don't hesitate to contact us! We are always here to help!\ > You can say hello with live chat on [merchbees.com](https://merchbees.com/) or send an email to . # Changelog ### 1.0.0 - 20-05-2024 * Bee Forecast & Replenishment was launched! 🎉 # Privacy Policies :star2: Privacy Policy for Bee Forecast & Replenishment and Bee Low Stock Alert & Forecast {% content-ref url="/pages/5dzP68wlOOfxvF1ZMkrK" %} [Privacy Policy for Forecasting Apps](/others/privacy-policies/privacy-policy) {% endcontent-ref %} :star2: Privacy Policy for Push Down & Hide Out of Stock and Merchbees Inventory Value {% content-ref url="/pages/-M3b6KQx21LYrA585OQa" %} [Privacy Policy](/others/privacy-policies/privacy-policy-1) {% endcontent-ref %} # Privacy Policy for Forecasting Apps ## Merchbees Privacy Policy MerchBees "the App” provides, "the Service" to merchants who use Shopify to power their stores. This Privacy Policy describes how personal information is collected, used, and shared when you install or use the App in connection with your Shopify-supported store. #### Personal Information the App Collects When you install the App, we are automatically able to access certain types of information from your Shopify account: * Read Products, Inventory, Locations, Orders Additionally, we collect the following types of personal information from you and/or your customers once you have installed the App: Information about you and others who may access the App on behalf of your store, such as your name, address, email address, phone number, and billing information; We collect personal information directly from the relevant individual, through your Shopify account, or using the following technologies: “Cookies” are data files that are placed on your device or computer and often include an anonymous unique identifier. For more information about cookies, and how to disable cookies, visit . “Log files” track actions occurring on the Site, and collect data including your IP address, browser type, Internet service provider, referring/exit pages, and date/time stamps. “Web beacons,” “tags,” and “pixels” are electronic files used to record information about how you browse the Site. #### How Do We Use Your Personal Information? We use the personal information we collect from you and your customers in order to provide the Service and to operate the App. Additionally, we use this personal information to: Communicate with you; Optimize or improve the App; and Provide you with information or advertising relating to our products or services. #### Sharing Your Personal Information Finally, we may also share your Personal Information to comply with applicable laws and regulations, to respond to a subpoena, search warrant or other lawful request for information we receive, or to otherwise protect our rights. #### Behavioural Advertising As described above, we use your Personal Information to provide you with targeted advertisements or marketing communications we believe may be of interest to you. For more information about how targeted advertising works, you can visit the Network Advertising Initiative’s (“NAI”) educational page at . You can opt out of targeted advertising by:\ FACEBOOK – GOOGLE – BING – Additionally, you can opt out of some of these services by visiting the Digital Advertising Alliance’s opt-out portal at: . #### Your Rights If you are a European resident, you have the right to access personal information we hold about you and to ask that your personal information be corrected, updated, or deleted. If you would like to exercise this right, please contact us through the contact information below. Additionally, if you are a European resident we note that we are processing your information in order to fulfill contracts we might have with you (for example if you make an order through the Site), or otherwise to pursue our legitimate business interests listed above. Additionally, please note that your information will be transferred outside of Europe, including to Canada and the United States. #### Data Retention When you place an order through the Site, we will maintain your Order Information for our records unless and until you ask us to delete this information. #### Changes We may update this privacy policy from time to time in order to reflect, for example, changes to our practices or for other operational, legal or regulatory reasons. #### Contact Us For more information about our privacy practices, if you have questions, or if you would like to make a complaint, please contact us by e-mail at . # Privacy Policy ## Merchbees Privacy Policy MerchBees "the App” provides, "the Service" to merchants who use Shopify to power their stores. This Privacy Policy describes how personal information is collected, used, and shared when you install or use the App in connection with your Shopify-supported store. #### Personal Information the App Collects When you install the App, we are automatically able to access certain types of information from your Shopify account: * Read Products, Inventory, Locations Additionally, we collect the following types of personal information from you and/or your customers once you have installed the App: Information about you and others who may access the App on behalf of your store, such as your name, address, email address, phone number, and billing information; We collect personal information directly from the relevant individual, through your Shopify account, or using the following technologies: “Cookies” are data files that are placed on your device or computer and often include an anonymous unique identifier. For more information about cookies, and how to disable cookies, visit . “Log files” track actions occurring on the Site, and collect data including your IP address, browser type, Internet service provider, referring/exit pages, and date/time stamps. “Web beacons,” “tags,” and “pixels” are electronic files used to record information about how you browse the Site. #### How Do We Use Your Personal Information? We use the personal information we collect from you and your customers in order to provide the Service and to operate the App. Additionally, we use this personal information to: Communicate with you; Optimize or improve the App; and Provide you with information or advertising relating to our products or services. #### Sharing Your Personal Information Finally, we may also share your Personal Information to comply with applicable laws and regulations, to respond to a subpoena, search warrant or other lawful request for information we receive, or to otherwise protect our rights. #### Behavioural Advertising As described above, we use your Personal Information to provide you with targeted advertisements or marketing communications we believe may be of interest to you. For more information about how targeted advertising works, you can visit the Network Advertising Initiative’s (“NAI”) educational page at . You can opt out of targeted advertising by:\ FACEBOOK – GOOGLE – BING – Additionally, you can opt out of some of these services by visiting the Digital Advertising Alliance’s opt-out portal at: . #### Your Rights If you are a European resident, you have the right to access personal information we hold about you and to ask that your personal information be corrected, updated, or deleted. If you would like to exercise this right, please contact us through the contact information below. Additionally, if you are a European resident we note that we are processing your information in order to fulfill contracts we might have with you (for example if you make an order through the Site), or otherwise to pursue our legitimate business interests listed above. Additionally, please note that your information will be transferred outside of Europe, including to Canada and the United States. #### Data Retention When you place an order through the Site, we will maintain your Order Information for our records unless and until you ask us to delete this information. #### Changes We may update this privacy policy from time to time in order to reflect, for example, changes to our practices or for other operational, legal or regulatory reasons. #### Contact Us For more information about our privacy practices, if you have questions, or if you would like to make a complaint, please contact us by e-mail at . # Contact Us #### GOT A QUESTION? If you don't find the answer to your question, please do not hesitate to contact us! You can say hello with live chat on [merchbees.com](https://merchbees.com/) or send an email to We look forward to hearing from you! :woman\_technologist\_tone1: :man\_technologist\_tone1: ![](/files/-M3ahjStRNMDY1Xqo93G)