Overview
By default, Mortar follows the location assignments set by Shopify's smart order routing to create transactions in POS but there are many cases where more complex routing is needed.
Mortar can perform more complex routing than Shopify itself can support. When active, Mortar updates the order location assignments in Shopify based on Mortar's routing.
Mortar Grow and Scale plans support more complex order routing and splitting.
Grow or Scale plan
Mortar routing methods
The routing method determines the order in which fulfillment locations are prioritized for assignment. Routing settings then refine how routing results are determined.
Routing method | Description | Location order |
Follow Shopify | Line items are fulfilled from locations as assigned by Shopify's smart order routing. | Depends on the configuration in Shopify smart order routing. |
Priority | Line items are fulfilled from locations in the order they are listed in the Priority list. | The same for each order as listed in the Mortar Location Priority list. |
Distance | Line items are fulfilled from locations based on their distance from the customer. | Varies based on the customer's shipping address on each order. |
Mortar routing settings
Mortar routing settings apply to the selected routing method.
Routing setting | Result | Example |
Split quantities | Split the line item quantity between multiple locations if no single location can fulfill. | Order for Fancy T-shirt, qty 3, Chicago has 1, Kansas City has 2. Line item quantity is split between Chicago and Kansas City. |
Route by order tags | Route and fulfill the order between only the locations defined for the tag. | Orders with "ebay" tag only fulfill from "Chicago" and "Kansas City" |
First available | Fulfill each line item from the first location (either by priority or distance) that can fulfill the line item. | Chicago is closest - Kansas City is 2nd. Line item quantity is fulfilled from Chicago without trying to minimize shipments. |
Backorder location | See below for details. |
|
Backorder location
When no inventory is available for a line item in POS, Mortar can route the line item to a backorder location for further processing.
Grow or Scale plan
The Backorder location setting checks inventory in your POS as sales are created and reassigns line items to the backorder location if needed. This is helpful for managing pre-orders, stockouts, or inactive locations.
The Backorder location setting can be configured in Mortar's advanced settings and includes a dropdown of active, mapped locations. When your Mortar account is created, no location is set. When the Backorder location is set, Mortar assigns line items to the location when no inventory is available or the line item is assigned to an unmapped location.
Use Case | Backorder location NOT set | Backorder location set |
No available inventory | Line routed as assigned, inventory turns negative | Line routed to the Backorder location |
Unmapped location | Line item ignored | Line routed to the Backorder location |
No available inventory
When the Backorder location is configured, line items with no available inventory in the inventory source will be routed to the Backorder location. If the Backorder location is not set, these line items will route as assigned, and their inventory will go negative in the assigned POS location.
Unmapped locations
When the Backorder location is configured, line items assigned to unmapped locations will be routed to the backorder location. If the Backorder location is not set, these line items will be ignored.
Using the Backorder location strategically
Some scenarios where setting the Backorder location can be used strategically include the following:
Pre-order or special order products – a Backorder location can be set up in your POS to manage pre-order or special order line items.
Dropshipped products – Recognize the revenue of dropshipped items by setting the Backorder location to a specific dropship location. Any dropship lines will be assigned there.
Overstated inventory in Shopify – out-of-stock line items will be routed to your warehouse, primary location, or a dedicated Backorder location to ensure the right team is notified.