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Setting Minimum/Understock Thresholds

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Written by Faith Maldoner
Updated this week

In FieldEx, understock thresholds and reorder quantities help Store Managers keep every bin whether in a warehouse, a technician’s van, or a jobsite, properly stocked. By setting these limits per bin, planners receive early warnings and can plan transfers or purchase orders before shortages affect operations. This article explains:

  • What Reorder Quantity and Understock Threshold mean

  • Where to configure them for each bin (warehouse, van, or user bin)

  • How these fields power alerts, dashboards, and replenishment workflows

Key Definitions


FieldEx tracks stock at the bin level. When current stock in a bin drops below its Understock Threshold, the bin is flagged and can appear in low‑stock dashboards, reports, and notifications.

Field

Description

Example

Reorder Quantity

The preferred quantity to replenish when stock is low.

Restock 20 units when refilling a van bin.

Understock Threshold

The minimum level at which the bin is flagged as running low.

Flag at 5 units so planners refill before jobs start.

Works everywhere: Set thresholds for warehouse bins, van bins (mobile stock), and user bins (personal technician stock). Use higher reorder quantities for remote bins or high‑usage parts to reduce refill trips.

Where to Set Minimum / Understock Thresholds


You can define these values while updating a spare part’s stock inside a specific bin.

Path 1 (common): Inventory > Adjust Inventory > Adjust a Spare Part

  1. Select the Spare Part you want to update.

  2. Open the relevant Bin (warehouse, van, or user bin).

  3. Set:

    • Reorder Quantity (e.g., 20 units)

    • Understock Threshold (e.g., 5 units)

  4. (Optional) Add a Note (e.g., “Weekly van refill”).

  5. Click Save to confirm the changes.

Path 2 (bin‑centric): Inventory > Bins > (choose Locations or Users tab) > Open Bin > Add/Update Spare Part

How These Settings Are Used in FieldEx


  • Low‑Stock Dashboards – Widgets highlight “Spare Parts Under Stock” to focus replenishment.

  • Reports & Filters – Sort or filter by understock status, location, or zone to plan refills.

  • Replenishment Planning – Use Reorder Quantity to drive transfer quantities from warehouse to vans/user bins, or to raise purchase orders.

  • Notifications – If enabled by your admin, Bin Under Stock Point Reached triggers in‑app/email alerts to the managing group for fast action.

Tip: Pair thresholds with a standard refill cadence (e.g., weekly van top‑ups). Set Understock to catch sudden dips and use Reorder Quantity to match typical consumption between refills.

Practical Examples


  • Warehouse bin (bulk): Understock = 30; Reorder = 200 — keeps central stock healthy for many vans.

  • Van bin (daily jobs): Understock = 5; Reorder = 20 — ensures technicians start shifts ready.

  • User bin (specialist parts): Understock = 1; Reorder = 5 — maintains niche items for a specific tech.

Best Practices


  • Calibrate thresholds per bin type: higher for remote/mobile bins; lower for bins near central supply.

  • Review understock reports after seasonal peaks to adjust values to real consumption.

  • Name bins clearly (e.g., BIN‑VAN‑REG‑UNIT, BIN‑USER‑FIRSTNAME) so dashboards and exports are readable.

  • Combine with Transfers to automate refills from warehouse to field bins on a schedule.

Field Reference (on Adjust/Update screens)


Field

Where You See It

Notes

Reorder Quantity

Adjust Inventory > Adjust a Spare Part > Selected Bin

Used to propose transfer or PO quantity when refilling.

Understock Threshold

Adjust Inventory > Adjust a Spare Part > Selected Bin

Triggers low‑stock flags and (if enabled) notifications.

Note

Adjust/Update dialogs

Add context (e.g., “Weekly van refill”, “Project ABC”).

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