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Understanding replenishment and order suggestions

Use replenishment and order suggestions to optimize inventory levels and streamline purchase processes.

Michael De Giovanni avatar
Written by Michael De Giovanni
Updated over 3 weeks ago

Use Katana's replenishment and order suggestions to optimize inventory levels and streamline purchasing.

Katana’s Replenishment feature (available under the Plan screen) helps you maintain optimal stock levels with automated suggestions based on stock levels, demand, lead times, and supplier rules.

Note: The Replenishment tab only contains items that need restocking


How replenishment suggestions work

Katana uses real-time and historical inventory data to automatically recommend:

  • What items need restocking

  • When you should reorder

  • How much to order

These suggestions are designed to:

  • Prevent stockouts

  • Reduce overstocking

  • Save time on manual planning


What you'll see in the Replenishment tab

Screenshot highlighting the Replenishment tab inside the plan screen

Each row represents a product or material that Katana has flagged for replenishment. Here’s a breakdown of the columns:

Column

Description

Item

The item name and SKU or variant.

Supplier

The vendor or source for the item.

Stockout date

Projected date when the item will run out based on demand.

Missing stock

The quantity you’ll be short if nothing is ordered.

Suggested order qty

Recommended reorder amount, accounting for Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) and demand.

Purchase cost

Estimated cost to fulfill the suggestion from the supplier.

Suggested order by

Latest date to place an order based on the item’s lead time to avoid a stockout.

Buy / Make buttons

Quickly create a purchase or manufacturing order directly from the suggestion.


Behind the scenes: How suggestions are calculated

  • Stockout date: Based on your current stock levels and open demand (sales + manufacturing orders).

  • Suggested order qty: Considers your demand forecasts, MOQ, and any open supplier orders.

  • Order urgency: Items are sorted by how soon you need to reorder, helping you prioritize.

Example:

If a product has a lead time of 7 days and is forecasted to run out on July 21, Katana will suggest placing an order by July 14.


Create replenishment orders instantly

Screenshot showing how to use the Buy or Make buttons in the Replenishment tab

Click the Buy or Make button on any row to generate a:

  • Purchase order (PO) — for externally sourced items

  • Manufacturing order (MO) — for internally produced goods

These orders are pre-filled with the suggested quantities and supplier details, making replenishment fast and accurate.


Pro tips

  • Use lead times and MOQs: Ensure your SKUs have accurate supply data so Katana can generate the best suggestions.

  • Forecast demand: Combine with Katana’s Forecasting toggle to improve long-term planning.


Your feedback is invaluable. Let us know your thoughts on this article or anything in Katana you'd like to see improved: [email protected]

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