🗓️ Setting the Order and Reorder Period
In Optiply, the frequency of your purchasing is determined by the Reorder Period. This value represents the number of days between two consecutive orders placed with a supplier.
There are two ways this period is defined: automatically by Optiply (Optimal) or manually by you (Fixed).
1. The Reorder Period (System Calculated)
By default, Optiply calculates the Optimal Order Period for each supplier.
How it works: The system analyses the supplier's product range, fixed order costs, and Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) to determine the most cost-effective frequency.
Example: If the calculated period is 7 days, Optiply will recommend placing an order once every week to balance holding costs against ordering costs.
2. The Manual Reorder Period (Manual Override)
The Reorder Period is a manual setting that allows you to override Optiply's calculation.
How it works: If you enter a value here, Optiply will ignore its optimal calculation and strictly follow your manual rule.
When to use it: Use this when you have a fixed agreement with a supplier (e.g., "We always order on Fridays") or if you prefer a predictable purchasing cadence regardless of cost optimisation.
How to Set a Reorder Period
To set a fixed schedule for a supplier:
Go to the Supplier Page: Navigate to the Suppliers overview and select the specific supplier.
Navigate to Information: Click on the Information tab.
Locate Order Cycle: Scroll down to the Order Cycle section.
Enter Value: Find the Reorder period field and enter the desired number of days.
Save: Click Save to confirm the new schedule.
Best Practices and Frequency Rules
Standard Recommendation: We recommend an order period of at least 7 days (one order per week) or a multiple of 7 (e.g., 14, 21 days). This aligns with standard weekly work schedules.
Ordering More Frequently: If you wish to order more than once a week (e.g., every 3 days), please do not just set the number to 3. Instead, contact us at support@optiply.nl or by chat message. We will set up a specific manual agenda for you (e.g., fixed order days on Mondays and Thursdays) to ensure the logic runs correctly.
Related Note on Order Size: While the Order Period controls frequency (when to buy), you can also adjust the volume of a specific order using the Adjust Order Size multiplier button on the purchase page. This is useful for reacting to sudden demand fluctuations without changing your long-term schedule.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between Lead Time and Reorder Period?
Lead Time: The time it takes for the goods to arrive after you place the order (Speed).
Reorder Period: The time you wait between placing orders (Frequency).
If I set a manual Reorder Period, does Optiply stop optimising?
Optiply stops optimising the frequency of the orders (it will obey your days), but it still optimises the quantities (Order Up To level) based on the forecast and safety stock for that specific period.
Can I set a Reorder Period of 1 day?
Technically yes, but it is not recommended to do this via the simple input field. If you need daily ordering or a high-frequency schedule, please contact Support to configure a custom purchasing agenda.
Why is my Order Period changing automatically?
If the Reorder Period (manual field) is left blank, orders will not be suggested as this is a mandatóry field.