Provide a single, real-time inventory view
Author:
Fluent Commerce
Changed on:
22 Oct 2025
Problem
Successful omnichannel operations depend on having complete visibility into inventory across all locations and systems. However, stock is often distributed across multiple platforms (for example ERP, POS, WMS, 3PL) and siloed data prevents retailers from seeing their total available inventory in real-time.
Without this consolidated visibility, they lack the insights needed to make informed fulfillment decisions, optimize stock allocation across channels, and accurately promise availability to customers. This fragmentation leads to operational inefficiencies, poor inventory utilization, and an inability to meet customer expectations across channels.
Example
A national fashion retailer with 150 stores and a growing e-commerce business. Their inventory is managed across separate systems: an ERP for purchasing and allocation, a POS system for in-store sales, and a WMS for their distribution center.
During a promotional weekend, a popular dress was showing as "out of stock" online because the DC inventory had depleted. However, their stores collectively had 200+ units sitting on shelves and in backrooms. Without a unified view connecting these systems, CLIENT A couldn't fulfill online orders from store inventory, resulting in $100K in lost online sales while simultaneously having to markdown the same items in stores weeks later.
Additionally, their customer service team struggled daily with conflicting information. A customer would see 3 units "available" for a store pickup, but upon arrival, the store associate would explain those units were already reserved for other online orders or were returns awaiting processing. This disconnect between systems created frequent broken promises, increased customer service contacts, and damaged their brand reputation for reliability.
