EDI Document

846 Inventory Advice.
Share stock levels on a schedule.

Fulfil sends 846 updates on a schedule you set so retailers know what's in stock before placing orders. Fewer cancellations, fewer backorders.

See how it works

What's included in an 846.

The 846 provides detailed inventory availability for each SKU.

Inventory Levels

  • ✓ SKU-level stock quantities
  • ✓ Available to promise (ATP) quantities
  • ✓ Inventory update date and time
  • ✓ Unit of measure for quantities

Location Details

  • ✓ Warehouse location identifiers
  • ✓ Multi-location stock breakdown
  • ✓ Product identifiers (UPC, vendor item number, or SKU)
  • ✓ Expected restock dates (optional)

How 846 works in Fulfil.

Fulfil automatically sends 846 inventory updates on your schedule.

1

Configure schedule

Set up the schedule you want for sending inventory updates to each retail partner, or trigger an update on demand whenever inventory changes significantly.

2

Fulfil generates 846

At the scheduled time, Fulfil pulls current inventory levels for all SKUs the retailer carries and creates an 846 inventory snapshot.

3

Inventory sent via EDI

The 846 automatically goes to the retailer via EDI, updating their systems with your current stock levels.

✓

Prevent overselling

The retailer knows your current stock before placing orders. They won't order 500 units if you only have 200, preventing cancellations and disappointed customers.

Why 846 matters for your business.

Prevents retailers ordering out-of-stock items

The 846 gives retailers current visibility into your inventory before they place orders. They can see you're low on SKU 12345 and won't order more than you can fulfill, preventing overselling and the resulting cancellations.

Reduces cancellations and backorders

Without inventory visibility, retailers place orders blindly and you must cancel or backorder items you don't have. The 846 eliminates this problem. Retailers only order what you actually have in stock.

Professional inventory visibility

Major retailers expect their vendors to provide automated inventory feeds. The 846 shows you're a professional partner who can support their systems with accurate, timely stock information.

Better demand planning for retailers

Retailers use 846 data to plan their buying and merchandising. If they see you consistently have good stock levels, they'll feature your products more prominently. If you're frequently out of stock, they'll reduce orders or look elsewhere.

Related EDI documents.

The 846 Inventory Update works with other EDI documents.

850

Purchase Order

Orders placed based on inventory
855

PO Acknowledgement

Confirm orders match available stock
856

Advance Ship Notice

Shipping notification updates inventory

FAQ

Questions? Answers.

How does Fulfil send an 846 inventory update?
You set the cadence on the trading partner's 846 configuration, and Fulfil can send it automatically on a schedule you configure or trigger it manually on demand. Each 846 is a point-in-time snapshot of current levels, so it reports stock at the moment of generation rather than tracking changes over time. The 846 is outbound only, so Fulfil generates and transmits it and does not receive 846s.
What does an 846 include?
Each 846 reports a product identifier such as UPC, vendor item number, or SKU, along with the quantity available. It can optionally include the warehouse or location tied to that quantity, and an expected restock date for out-of-stock items.
Does the 846 report total stock or available stock?
The 846 reports quantity available, not total on-hand, so reservations and allocations reduce the number the partner sees. If a product that is in stock shows zero on the 846, check that it has available inventory and that it is associated with the warehouse configured for that trading partner.
What is the 846 typically used for?
The 846 is commonly used for vendor-managed inventory programs and drop-ship arrangements, where the trading partner needs visibility into your available stock before placing orders. Sharing current levels helps them avoid ordering more than you can fulfill, which reduces cancellations and backorders.
How do I control which warehouses the 846 includes?
On the trading partner's document configuration you add the Inventory Inquiry/Advice (846) as an outbound document, then set the schedule and the warehouse or warehouses whose inventory should be included. Fulfil collects current available inventory for the products associated with that partner when the 846 runs.
Which EDI documents work with the 846?
The 846 pairs with the 850 Purchase Order partners place based on your stock, the 855 PO Acknowledgement you send back, and the 856 Advance Ship Notice sent when orders ship.

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your inventory feeds?

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