Quick Orders provide a streamlined interface for rapidly creating shipping orders with minimal data entry. This system is designed for efficient order processing where speed is prioritized over detailed configuration, making it ideal for repeat customers, standard product shipments, and mobile order entry.
| Quick Order Method | Access Path | Purpose |
|---|
| Desktop Quick Orders | Orders → Shipping → Quick Order | Shopping cart interface for rapid multi-item order creation with customer pricing and tax calculations |
| Mobile Quick Orders | Inventory Pro Mobile → Orders → Quick Order | Mobile device order creation with barcode scanning and simplified workflows |
| Previously Ordered Items | Quick Order → View Cart and Previously Ordered Items | Focus on customer’s order history for repeat orders and favorites |
| Category Browsing | Quick Order → View Cart - Category | Browse items organized by product type for structured shopping |
| Simple View | Quick Order → View Cart - Simple | Minimal interface for rapid selection when item IDs are known |
| Bulk Cart Operations | Quick Order → Select All / Duplicate Orders | Add multiple items at once or copy previous orders for efficiency |
| Direct Issuing | Mobile → View Shipping Orders → Issue | Complete order fulfillment directly from mobile device |
All quick orders create standard shipping orders that flow through the normal fulfillment and reporting workflows with complete audit trails.
Access:
- Desktop: Orders → Shipping → Quick Order
- Mobile: Inventory Pro Mobile → Orders → Quick Order
Understanding Quick Orders
Quick Orders use a shopping cart model where you select items, review contents, and create the shipping order in a streamlined workflow. This two-phase approach (Cart → Place Order) allows for efficient multi-item selection before finalizing.
Screen Components:
- Warehouse Selection: Choose source warehouse (required, filters available inventory)
- Ship To Customer: Select customer for delivery and pricing (auto-applies price level and tax rates)
- View Modes: Multiple item browsing options (all items, previously ordered, category, description, simple)
- Shopping Cart: Temporary staging area for selected items with quantities
- Search: Real-time item lookup by ID, description, or category
Key Operations:
- Add to Cart: Select items and quantities for review
- Review: Examine complete order with pricing, tax, and totals
- Place Order: Creates shipping order and clears cart
- Modify Cart: Adjust quantities or remove items before order creation
- Clear Cart: Remove all items and start fresh
Quick Order Methods
Desktop Quick Orders
Desktop quick orders provide a full-featured shopping cart interface with advanced search, multiple view modes, and comprehensive order configuration.
Required: Warehouse and customer selection before adding items
When to Use Desktop Quick Orders:
- Multi-item orders (5+ items)
- Repeat customers with known order patterns
- Orders requiring address override or special delivery instructions
- Situations where customer history and pricing validation are important
When NOT to Use Desktop Quick Orders:
- Complex orders with job assignments, custom pricing, or multiple warehouses (use Shipping Orders instead)
- Orders requiring lot allocation or advanced serial number selection (use full shipping order interface)
- Orders with kit assembly or bill of materials (use Shipping Orders with assembly features)
Workflow:
- Navigate to Orders → Shipping → Quick Order
- Select Warehouse from dropdown
- Choose Ship To customer (applies pricing and tax automatically)
- Select view mode for browsing:
- View Cart and All Available Items: General browsing with complete catalog
- View Cart and Previously Ordered Items: Focus on customer’s order history
- View Cart - Category: Browse by product categories
- View Cart - Description: Description-based item search
- View Cart - Simple: Minimal interface for known item IDs
- Add items to cart:
- Use Search field to find items (ID, description, or category)
- Enter Quantity for each item
- System validates inventory availability
- Items added to shopping cart
- Configure optional order details:
- Requested Date: Customer delivery date preference
- Attention: Specific contact person
- Phone/Email: Contact information
- Address Override: Alternative shipping address
- Notes: Special instructions or delivery requirements
- Click “Review” to examine complete order:
- Verify all items and quantities
- Confirm pricing and tax calculations
- Validate shipping information
- Click “Place Order” to create shipping order
- System generates order number and provides confirmation
- Order ready for standard fulfillment workflow
Features:
- Shopping Cart Functionality: Add multiple items before creating order
- Automatic Pricing: Uses customer price level with quantity breaks
- Sales Tax Calculation: Automatic based on customer location with exemption handling
- Real-Time Inventory: Live stock availability checking with location awareness
- Customer History: Quick access to previously ordered items
- Address Flexibility: Override shipping address when needed
- Order Totals: Real-time subtotal, tax, and final total calculations
Mobile Quick Orders
Mobile quick orders provide simplified order creation on mobile devices with barcode scanning and touch-optimized workflows.
Workflow:
- Login to Inventory Pro Mobile
- Select the warehouse you want to ship from
- Navigate to Orders → Quick Order
- Select the customer you want to ship to
- Click “Start Quick Order”
- Select items to ship:
- Browse item list or use barcode scanner
- Set the number of units for each item
- Click “Save” to add to order
- Repeat item selection until all items are added
- Click “Place Order” to create the shipping order
Mobile Features:
- Barcode Scanning: Fast item entry with mobile device camera
- Touch Interface: Optimized for warehouse floor operations
- Simplified Workflow: Minimal steps for rapid order creation
- Real-Time Validation: Immediate inventory availability checking
See Mobile Order Issuing for completing order fulfillment on mobile devices.
Previously Ordered Items
Focus on items the customer has ordered before for rapid repeat order processing.
Workflow:
- Select customer in quick order
- Choose “View Cart and Previously Ordered Items” mode
- System displays items from customer’s order history
- Add frequently ordered items to cart quickly
- Review and place order
Features:
- Order History Integration: Items automatically filtered to customer’s previous purchases
- Favorite Items: Frequently ordered items highlighted
- Current Availability: Real-time stock status for historical items
Category Browsing
Browse items organized by product categories for structured shopping and product discovery.
Workflow:
- Select “View Cart - Category” mode
- Choose product category from list
- Browse items within selected category
- Add desired items to cart
- Switch categories as needed
Use Cases:
- Product exploration for new customers
- Organized shopping by product type
- Training new order entry staff on product catalog
Simple View Mode
Minimal interface for rapid selection when item IDs are known, ideal for experienced users.
Workflow:
- Select “View Cart - Simple” mode
- System displays basic item information only
- Enter item IDs directly
- Specify quantities
- Rapid order creation with minimal visual distractions
Features:
- Reduced Visual Clutter: Only essential fields displayed
- Direct Item Entry: Fastest method for known item IDs
- Keyboard Optimization: Efficient for keyboard-based data entry
Bulk Cart Operations
Efficiently manage multiple items with batch operations for high-volume order processing.
Available Operations:
- Select All: Add all displayed items to cart at once
- Clear Cart: Remove all items and start fresh
- Duplicate Orders: Copy previous orders to current cart
- Batch Quantity: Apply same quantity to multiple items
Use Cases:
- Copying large repeat orders
- Clearing cart errors quickly
- Adding entire product categories
Line Item Fields
Understanding field behavior in the quick order cart:
| Field | Behavior | Notes |
|---|
| Item ID | Required | Must be active and available in selected warehouse |
| Quantity | Required, >0 | System validates against available inventory |
| Unit Price | Auto-calculated | Uses customer price level with quantity breaks applied automatically |
| Extended Price | Auto-calculated | Quantity × Unit Price |
| Availability | Display only | Shows current warehouse stock levels |
| Description | Display only | Item description for verification |
| Category | Display only | Product category for organization |
| Location | Auto-assigned | Uses warehouse default location, can be modified in full shipping order |
Mobile Order Issuing
Complete order fulfillment directly from mobile devices for warehouse efficiency.
Workflow:
- Navigate to Orders → View Shipping Orders on mobile
- Select the shipping order from the list
- Review items on the order
- Select items to issue using checkboxes
- Click “Complete” button
- Click “Issue” button in top right
- System removes items from inventory and completes the shipping order
Features:
- Partial Issuing: Select specific items to issue, leave others for later
- Barcode Verification: Scan items during picking for accuracy
- Real-Time Updates: Inventory immediately updated upon issue
- Order Completion: Automatic shipping order status updates
Validation and Business Rules
The system enforces several rules during quick order creation:
Customer Validation:
- Customer must exist and be active
- Ship-to address required (from customer record or override)
- Credit limit warnings if customer exceeds limit
Inventory Validation:
- Items must be active and enabled for selected warehouse
- Sufficient inventory available (or backorder allowed)
- Items not on hold or reserved for other orders
Pricing Rules:
- Uses customer price level for unit pricing
- Applies quantity break discounts automatically
- Zero prices generate warnings but can proceed if approved
Tax Calculation:
- Based on customer location (ship-to address)
- Tax-exempt customers bypass calculation
- Manual tax override available when necessary
Order Creation:
- Minimum one line item required
- Valid customer and warehouse required
- Address validation based on system settings
Admin Options
Key configuration options affecting quick order operations:
| Option | Description |
|---|
| 24 | Show item availability in quick order for inventory visibility |
| 27 | Allow selection of previously ordered items view mode |
| 73 | Default view mode for quick order screen (can be overridden per user) |
| 94 | Control item pre-population behavior in quick orders |
| 106 | Enable category browsing view mode |
| 191 | Allow address override for alternative shipping addresses |
| 280 | Auto-create backorders for out-of-stock items in quick orders |
Additional Features
Search and Filtering
Advanced Search Options:
- Multi-Field Search: Search across item ID, description, and category simultaneously
- Filter by Category: Narrow results to specific product types
- Recently Ordered: Quick access to customer’s order history
- Inventory Filters: Show only items with sufficient stock
Search Performance:
- Real-Time Results: Instant search as you type
- Relevance Sorting: Most relevant items displayed first
- Availability Indicators: Clear stock status for each item
Customer History Integration
Order History:
- Quick access to customer’s previous orders
- Frequently ordered items highlighted
- Pricing history tracking over time
Automatic Application:
- Customer price level applied automatically
- Tax settings from customer record
- Delivery preferences and addresses
Integration Capabilities
Inventory Integration:
- Real-Time Stock: Live inventory availability checking
- Location Awareness: Shows optimal pick locations
- Backorder Handling: Options for out-of-stock items with auto-backorder creation
Shipping Order Integration:
- Quick orders create standard shipping orders
- Full editing capabilities in shipping order module
- Complete audit trail and reporting
- Pick lists and packing slips available
- Standard fulfillment workflow
Best Practices
Efficient Order Processing: Use customer history view for repeat orders to minimize search time and ensure accuracy. Batch similar orders together during slow periods to improve warehouse picking efficiency. Review cart contents before placing order to catch quantity errors early. Learn commonly ordered item IDs for fastest entry in simple view mode.
Inventory Management: Check real-time stock availability before committing to delivery dates, especially for high-velocity items. Maintain awareness of items with low stock levels or pending replenishment. Know substitute products for out-of-stock items to offer alternatives immediately. Coordinate with warehouse on backorder timelines to set accurate customer expectations.
Customer Service: Always verify shipping addresses with customers before placing orders to prevent delivery failures. Set realistic delivery timeframes based on current inventory and warehouse capacity. Document special delivery requirements in order notes for warehouse visibility. Provide order confirmation and tracking information promptly after order creation. Follow up on backorders with status updates.
Troubleshooting
“Customer cannot be found in dropdown”
- Problem: Customer missing from selection list
- Solution: Verify customer exists in customer master and is marked active. Check if customer has valid ship-to address
- Prevention: Regular customer master maintenance and address validation
“Item shows unavailable despite stock”
- Problem: Item appears out of stock but inventory exists
- Solution: Check for inventory holds, allocations, or commitments to other orders. Verify warehouse selection matches inventory location
- Prevention: Real-time inventory monitoring and proper allocation management
“Incorrect pricing displayed”
- Problem: Unit price doesn’t match expected customer pricing
- Solution: Verify customer price level assignment and item pricing tiers. Check for active price agreements or special pricing
- Prevention: Regular pricing review and customer configuration validation
“Sales tax not calculating”
- Problem: Tax amount shows zero or incorrect
- Solution: Verify customer location and sales tax configuration. Check if customer is marked tax-exempt
- Prevention: Maintain current tax tables and customer address information
“Cannot place order - validation error”
- Problem: Order creation fails with error message
- Solution: Review all required fields (customer, warehouse, at least one item). Verify quantities are positive and inventory is available
- Prevention: Complete cart review before attempting to place order
“Items missing from cart after refresh”
- Problem: Cart contents lost or disappeared
- Solution: Cart is session-based; system timeout or logout clears contents. Re-add items and complete order promptly
- Prevention: Complete orders in one session without long delays
“Mobile order not appearing in View Shipping Orders”
- Problem: Created order missing from list
- Solution: Verify warehouse filter matches order warehouse. Check if order was successfully created (look for confirmation number)
- Prevention: Note order number immediately upon creation and verify in list
Key Reports
Access quick order reports via Reports → [Search] or from shipping order reports filtered by order source.
Shipping Order History (Report 101): Complete transaction log showing all shipping orders including those created via quick orders. Filter by customer, date range, warehouse, and order status. Displays order number, date, customer, items shipped, quantities, values, and order source (quick order vs standard). Primary report for tracking orders created through quick order system.
Customer Order History (Report 103): Customer-specific order analysis showing all orders including quick orders. Useful for identifying repeat order patterns, frequently ordered items, and customer buying behavior. Filter by date range and customer for targeted analysis.
Item Sales Analysis (Report 107): Identifies items frequently ordered through quick orders for inventory optimization. Shows sales velocity, order frequency, and customer patterns. Use to optimize warehouse layout by placing high-velocity items in accessible locations.
Pick List (Report 110): Warehouse picking document generated from quick orders. Shows items, quantities, warehouse locations, and pick sequence. Can be printed immediately after order creation for rapid fulfillment.
Packing Slip (Report 111): Customer-facing document with order details, items, quantities, and shipping information. Auto-generated from quick orders for inclusion with shipments.
All reports support filtering by date range, warehouse, customer, item, and order status. Export to Excel for further analysis or integration with external systems.