In many companies, the challenge is not managing a highly complex multi-warehouse system with hundreds of processes, but simply displaying inventory from multiple locations clearly and consistently in the online shop. This is exactly where our Smartstore plug-in “Storage Display (Multi-Warehouse)” comes in.
What sets us apart from traditional multi-warehouse systems?
While full warehouse management systems (WMS) automate every process in and between warehouses—from picking and transfers to transport optimization—the Smartstore plug-in takes a deliberately reduced but highly practical approach:
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No complex process control
– just a simple, clear display of stock levels in the online shop. -
Focus on transparency for B2B partners and end customers
– all available quantities of a product are brought together from different warehouses. -
Easy integration and use
– directly in Smartstore without additional infrastructure.
How the plug-in works
The Storage Display (”Multi-warehouse”) plug-in was developed to make life easier for retailers who offer their products from multiple locations regardless of whether these are:
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one or more central warehouses,
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stationary stores,
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or a combination of both.
The logic behind it is as simple as it is effective:
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Centralized recording
All types of locations are meticulously recorded in the system, whether it is the central main warehouse, one of the numerous branches, or even a small temporary pop-up store. Typically, location data is transferred via a carefully secured interface, such as an Application Programming Interface (API), which ensures seamless and direct data communication. Alternatively, data can also be transferred via a time-controlled, automatic import process in the widely used CSV (Comma-Separated Values) format, whereby the data is bundled and efficiently integrated into the system. -
Stock aggregation
The plug-in is designed to provide advanced functionality by automatically generating a comprehensive summary of all stock quantities for a product. These stock levels are carefully recorded from the various warehouses stored in the system to ensure a clear and up-to-date overview of available goods at all times. In addition, this automatic consolidation helps to avoid stock shortages and increase warehouse management efficiency. In addition, this automatic consolidation helps to avoid stock shortages and increase the efficiency of warehouse management. -
Display in the shop
Business partners in the business-to-business sector and end customers can view the total available quantity of a specific product at any time, regardless of the physical location of that product. This transparency enables all parties involved to make informed decisions and efficiently plan the use of available resources for purchasing.
This prevents customers from using other sources or refraining from making a purchase altogether due to individual stock shortages, assuming that a desired item is no longer available. However, an item is often still in stock at another location, which can be communicated through an effective inventory management system. This maintains customer loyalty and minimizes the risk of abandoned purchases.
Typical use cases
The plug-in is particularly interesting for retailers who do not require complex logistics control but still manage multiple inventories:
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Retailers with a branch network
– Transparent inventory display from online shop, main warehouse, and local stores. -
Manufacturers with showrooms + warehouses
– Customers can immediately see total availability, even if some items are in the warehouse and others are on display. -
Small to medium-sized retailers
– who do not want to outsource their inventory to a full-fledged WMS, but are looking for a lean, integrated solution within their Smartstore shop.
Advantages at a glance
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Full transparency: All inventory from different sources appears in a consolidated view.
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Better customer experience: Customers can immediately see whether a product is available—regardless of location.
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Fewer abandoned orders: No misinformation due to isolated stock displays.
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Easy to use: No training necessary – the plug-in integrates seamlessly into the Smartstore backend.
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Flexible expandability: Whether you have two or ten locations, the sum logic remains just as efficient.
Differences from a traditional WMS
A warehouse management system (WMS) maps out the entire supply chain logic: goods receipt, stock transfers, order picking, shipping optimization, and transport control. Our plug-in, on the other hand:
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is not a replacement for a WMS
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but rather a complementary solution that simplifies inventory display in the Smartstore shop for retailers.
This means that retailers who do not (yet) need a large WMS can still map multiple locations and offer their customers a realistic availability display.
Conclusion
With the Smartstore plug-in “Storage Display (”Multi-warehouse”), retailers can bridge the gap between simple warehousing and complex WMS. The solution provides a transparent, customer-friendly inventory display without the need for extensive investments in process automation or external systems.
The result: fewer abandoned orders, greater trust, and a clearer view of overall availability.
Do you have any questions on this topic? Or would you like to send us your feedback? You can reach us via the contact form, by email at info@smartstore.com or by phone from Monday to Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on +4923153350.