Availability Overview
Essential knowledge
Author:
Fluent Commerce
Changed on:
23 Apr 2025
Overview
Availability provides out-of-the-box (or reference) features in each function, as well as the capability to extend (or customise) business requirements via software development kits (SDKs). It helps provide real-time inventory data on Available-to-Sell and Available-to-Promise information, making the online shopping experience more convenient and efficient. This feature integrates with the Inventory Module, ensuring product availability is accurately represented across different channels. Availability is calculated based on product, customer location, and delivery methods.Key points
- Ensures real-time display of Available-to-Sell (ATS) and Available-to-Promise (ATP) data, including stock levels and delivery options, on Product Detail Pages (PDP), Product Listing Pages (PLP), and during checkout.
- Provides seamless integration with the Fulfillment Options workflow to present a diverse array of procurement alternatives, including Click-and-Collect (CC) and Home Delivery (HD).
- Customisable to business needs via SDKs.
Benefits to Retailers
Provides detailed and accurate stock information and order fulfillment options. For shoppers, it typically helps to answer the following questions:- What item is available?
- When and how can I get it?
- How much do I pay in total?
- Where is it available?
- Allows customers to obtain all possible fulfillment options on the PDP, reducing cart abandonment chances.
- Provides accurate available stock information—customers are shown up-to-date availability on the PDP and checkout page using the Fulfillment Options call. Note: Storage information on the PLP is achieved by regularly refreshing the inventory cache (e.g., every 15 minutes).
Availability Module Features
Availability Module features include:- Get real-time available-to-sell (ATS) and Available-to-Promise (ATP) stock for any product and its variants to show availability on an e-commerce product details page (PDP), cart and checkout pages, and Point-of-sales system (POS).
- Show different availability for home delivery, store pick-up, or another choice of fulfilment or delivery.
- Obtain all possible fulfillment options for an entire cart in real-time for given quantities, an address, or a pickup location.
- Provide an ETA based on fulfillment times and delivery type: home delivery, click and collect, ship-to-store, or ship-from-store.
Product Display Page (PDP) Example
Below is an example of a product detail page (PDP) for a cosmetics retailer to help illustrate the Availability of key features. Refer to the numbers (1 to 5) that correspond to the features illustrated in the image below:
(1) Display information for any products and their variants on the PDP (or checkout page) based on underlying inventory data — this increases cart conversion rates.(2) Allow backorders for an item that is temporarily out-of-stock (Note: This is a capability possible through extension with SDKs)(3) Provide delivery ETAs and pickup options upfront to the customer (e.g., 24-hour click-and-collect), enhancing customer satisfaction and retention.(4) Allow customers to see what’s in stock at local stores nearby — this provides convenience and flexibility for the customer.(5) Show availability of related recommended products increases the chance of customers purchasing add-on products and ultimately spending more. 
