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Receiving Inventory

The Receiving Inventory section explains how new inventory enters the Teamship warehouse system.

Receiving workflows establish:

  • Inventory ownership
  • Receiving location
  • Initial inventory state
  • Operational readiness for fulfillment

All inbound inventory—planned or unplanned—flows through this domain.

⚠️ Receiving actions affect inventory availability, reporting, and billing. Review inbound workflows carefully before proceeding.


Ways inventory is received​

Inventory can be received using different approaches depending on how much information is available before arrival.

Planned inbound inventory​

Planned inbound inventory is created before inventory arrives at the warehouse.

This approach:

  • Provides advance visibility to warehouse staff
  • Defines expected SKUs and quantities
  • Associates inventory to a customer and warehouse in advance
  • Supports scheduling and operational planning

Planned inbound inventory is managed using inventory orders.

→ See: Inventory Orders (Inbound)


Unplanned or blind inbound inventory​

Unplanned inbound inventory is created at the time of receiving.

This approach is typically used when:

  • Inventory arrives without prior notice
  • Shipment details were not provided in advance
  • Receiving must proceed immediately

Blind inbound inventory allows inventory to be associated to:

  • A customer
  • A warehouse
  • SKUs and quantities in real time

Blind inbound inventory is also managed using inventory orders, but information is captured during receiving.

→ See: Inventory Orders (Inbound)


What happens during receiving​

During receiving:

  • Inventory is physically received at the warehouse
  • Actual quantities are recorded
  • Discrepancies may be identified
  • Inventory may be restricted or quarantined

Receiving outcomes determine when and how inventory becomes available for operational use.


Inventory state after receiving​

After receiving:

  • Inventory may be immediately available
  • Inventory may be quarantined for review or inspection
  • Inventory availability depends on receiving results and state

Inventory state is reflected across inventory views and operational workflows.


Common inbound scenarios​

  • Customer sends inventory with advance notice
  • Warehouse receives inventory without a prior order
  • Inventory arrives with quantity discrepancies
  • Inventory requires inspection or quarantine

Each scenario is handled through the receiving workflows documented in this section.