Distribution Centers

Distribution Centers let you manage inventory and orders across multiple warehouse locations, including your main warehouse and external fulfillment centers (network locations). You can configure routing rules to automatically send orders to the best location based on inventory, shipping costs, and delivery zones.

Quick Start

Configure your routing rules first (under “Routing Configuration”) to control how orders are automatically routed to different distribution centers based on delivery address and inventory availability.

Why Use Distribution Centers?

Multi-Location Fulfillment

Fulfill orders from multiple warehouses and external distribution centers to reduce shipping costs and delivery times.

Automated Routing

Let the system automatically route orders to the best distribution center based on delivery zone, inventory availability, and cost.

Network Inventory

Connect to external warehouses and sync inventory in real-time. View combined inventory across your entire network.

Flexible Configuration

Configure routing rules, crossdock templates, supplier assignments, and coverage areas for each distribution center.

Understanding Distribution Centers

The Distribution Centers page has three main sections:

1. Routing Coverage Area (Left Panel)

Configure how orders are diverted to specific distribution centers based on delivery address:

• Download Template: Get a CSV template with your current distribution centers
• Upload Configuration: Upload a CSV file to configure routing rules for each DC

CSV Template Fields:

• dc_code: Distribution center code
• Order Fulfillment Process: How orders are fulfilled (Dropship, Supplier, etc.)
• Divert by: What criteria to use for diverting orders (Address2, ZIP, etc.)
• Divert orders with: The specific value to match
• Allow backorders: Allow or prevent backorders (yes/no, true/false)
• Quantity to use: Which quantity to consider (available, inwh, reserve)
• Next Favorite: List of backup warehouses to try

2. Routing Configuration (Left Panel)

Select the main routing strategy for all orders:

Available Routing Templates:

• By ZIP (In Warehouse) > by ZIP (near Suppliers) else DC1: Check warehouse first, then nearby suppliers based on ZIP code, fallback to DC1
• By ZIP (In Warehouse or Suppliers) else DC1: Check both warehouse and suppliers simultaneously by ZIP code, fallback to DC1
• Order from supplier with lowest total cost for the order: Route based on the lowest total shipping and product cost
• By delivery coverage zone regardless of inventory: Route based on delivery zone even if inventory is not available
• HOLD orders based on weight, delivery zone and Shipping Method: Hold orders that match specific criteria for manual review
• By delivery zone and availability: Route to DC with inventory in the correct delivery zone
• By country, MCF and mirror wh: Route based on country, Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment, and mirror warehouses
• By divert(coverage area) configuration only: Use only the coverage area settings from the uploaded CSV

3. CrossDock Configuration (Left Panel)

Configure how crossdock orders (orders fulfilled directly from suppliers) are handled:

Available Crossdock Templates:

• First supplier with quantity found: Use the first supplier that has the required quantity
• By lower cost for every items: Select the supplier with the lowest cost for each item
• Order lowest cost option among active centers grouped by priority number: Use priority tags (1, 2, 3) to group and select suppliers by cost

Additional Options:

• Include DC quantities to Synset availability: Add distribution center inventory to product family (synset) availability calculations
• Automate daily creation of Replenishment: Automatically create replenishment requests at scheduled times

4. Distribution Centers Table (Right Panel)

View and manage all your distribution centers:

Table Columns:

• ID: Distribution center ID (hidden by default)
• DC Name: Name of the distribution center
• Description: Description of the DC’s purpose or location
• DC Code: Unique code for the distribution center (used in routing)
• DC Type: Type of distribution center (network, pod, etc.)
• Actions: Dropdown menu with available actions

Managing Distribution Centers

DC Actions Menu

Each distribution center has a dropdown menu with the following options:

Upload/Download SKU Translation

If you use different SKU codes at different distribution centers, you can maintain a translation table:

1. Download Current Translations

   Click the dropdown menu and select “Download Sku’s” to get a CSV file with current SKU mappings.

2. Edit the CSV File

   The CSV contains three columns:

   • Sku Shipedge: Your internal SKU code
   • Sku Distribution Center: The DC’s SKU code
   • Distribution Center Code: The DC code

3. Upload the Updated File

   Click “Upload Sku’s” to upload your edited CSV file with SKU translations.

Configuration

Opens the integration settings page for the distribution center where you can configure:

• API credentials
• Inventory sync settings
• Order routing parameters
• Shipping methods

Assign a Supplier

If the distribution center represents a supplier/dropshipper:

1. Select a supplier from the dropdown list
2. The system will associate orders routed to this DC with the selected supplier

Tag and Priority Number

Add tags to control routing and replenishment behavior:

Common Tags:

• priority=1, priority=2, priority=3: Set routing priority (lower numbers = higher priority)
• autoreple: Enable automatic replenishment creation
• lineitems=50: Create POs automatically when 50 line items are oversold
• shipcode=XXXX: Set default shipping method for replenishments

1. Click in the Tag Field

   The tag input field appears in the dropdown menu.

2. Type Your Tag and Press Enter

   Enter tags like priority=1 or autoreple and press Enter to save.

3. Remove Tags

   Click the X on any tag to remove it.

Active Qty

Enable this checkbox to sync the DC’s inventory quantities with your main warehouse:

• When enabled, the DC’s inventory is added to equivalent SKUs in your warehouse
• This updates available quantities shown to sales channels
• Useful for showing combined inventory across locations

Create Equivalent Inventory

Duplicates your main warehouse (DC1) inventory with a special suffix to track quantities separately:

• Creates copies of all SKUs with _XDCX suffix
• Preserves original inventory quantities
• Useful before syncing external DC inventory

Sync Inventory

Imports and updates all inventory from an external distribution center:

• Fetches current quantities from the external warehouse
• Updates your local inventory records
• Note: This process takes several minutes to complete

Sync Hub Skus (Network DCs Only)

For network distribution centers (connected ShipEdge warehouses):

• Syncs all your SKUs to the remote warehouse
• Creates products in the external warehouse if they don’t exist
• Shows sync progress with a spinning icon
• Note: This can take several minutes depending on catalog size

Logs

View integration logs for the distribution center to troubleshoot sync issues or review order routing history.

Adding Network Locations (Hubs)

If you have the “Logistic Centers” module enabled, you can connect to other ShipEdge warehouses:

1. Click “Add Hub” Button

   Located in the toolbar at the top of the page.

2. Select the Warehouse

   Choose which ShipEdge warehouse to connect to from the available network locations.

3. Configure Parameters

   Set up the connection parameters:

   • Divert by: How to route orders (by address, ZIP, etc.)
   • Divert orders with: The matching criteria
   • Allow backorders: Whether to allow backorders from this hub

4. Wait for Setup

   The system will:

   • Create a new account on the remote warehouse
   • Sync your product catalog
   • Configure the integration
   • Create the distribution center entry

Transfer Between Network Locations

If enabled, you can transfer inventory between your main warehouse and network distribution centers:

1. Click “Transfer” Button

   Located in the toolbar at the top of the page.

2. Select Origin and Destination

   Choose which location to transfer from and which location to transfer to.

3. Enter Transfer Details

   Specify the SKUs and quantities to transfer.

4. Confirm Transfer

   The system creates a transfer request between the warehouses.

Creating Automated Replenishments

You can automate replenishment creation between distribution centers:

Crossdock Replenishment

Creates replenishments based on the configured crossdock template:

1. Add “autoreple” Tag

   Add the autoreple tag to distribution centers that should receive automatic replenishments.

2. Click “Xdock Replenishment” Button

   Located in the toolbar at the top of the page.

3. Confirm Action

   The system creates replenishment requests for all DCs with the autoreple tag, following the crossdock template rules.

Line Items Replenishment

Automatically creates POs and replenishments for oversold items:

1. Add Tags to Distribution Centers

   Add lineitems=## tag (e.g., lineitems=50) to set how many SKUs per PO.

   Optionally add shipcode=XXXX to specify shipping method.

2. Click “Line Items Replenishment” Button

   Available on specific warehouses (demo1, img1).

3. Process Runs Automatically

   The system:

   • Identifies all oversold items from backorders
   • Creates POs with the specified number of line items
   • Creates replenishments for each PO
   • Continues until all oversold items are covered

💡 Best Practices

Test Routing First

Test your routing configuration with a few test orders before rolling out to production. Use the HOLD routing template for testing.

Use Priority Tags

Assign priority numbers (priority=1, priority=2) to control which DCs are tried first when routing orders.

Monitor Sync Status

Watch for the spinning sync icon when syncing large catalogs. Don’t start multiple syncs simultaneously.

Configure Coverage Areas

Use the CSV upload to configure detailed coverage areas for each distribution center. This gives you fine-grained control over routing.

Enable Active Qty Carefully

Only enable “Active Qty” on DCs where you want to combine inventory. This affects what quantities are shown to your sales channels.

Regular SKU Translation Updates

If you use different SKU codes at different DCs, keep your SKU translation table updated to prevent routing errors.

Special Features

DC Settings

Click “DC Settings” in the toolbar to access advanced distribution center preferences:

• Configure how inventory is calculated across DCs
• Set up automated routing rules
• Configure replenishment schedules

Accounts (for External Warehouses)

If the EXOS setting is enabled, you can manage accounts for external warehouse connections:

• View connected warehouse accounts
• Configure API credentials
• Test connections

Troubleshooting

Orders Not Routing to Expected DC

Problem: Orders are going to the wrong distribution center.

Solution:

1. Check Routing Configuration

   Verify your selected routing template matches your needs.

2. Review Coverage Area Settings

   Download the coverage area template and check the divert rules for each DC.

3. Verify DC Inventory

   Check that the distribution center has available inventory for the product.

4. Check DC Tags

   Priority tags affect routing order. Lower priority numbers are tried first.

5. Review Logs

   Use the “Logs” option in the DC menu to see routing decisions for specific orders.

SKU Sync Failing

Problem: SKUs are not syncing to network distribution center.

Solution:

1. Wait for Previous Sync

   Check if there’s already a sync in progress (spinning icon). Wait for it to complete.

2. Check Sync Status

   Click “Logs” to view sync errors and identify problematic SKUs.

3. Verify Credentials

   Go to “Configuration” and verify the API credentials are correct.

4. Check SKU Data

   Ensure your SKUs have all required fields (description, weight, etc.).

Inventory Not Syncing from External DC

Problem: Inventory quantities from external DC are not updating.

Solution:

1. Enable Active Qty

   Check the “Active Qty” checkbox in the DC’s dropdown menu.

2. Run Manual Sync

   Click “Sync inventory” to force an immediate inventory update.

3. Verify Integration Settings

   Go to “Configuration” and check that inventory sync is enabled.

4. Check API Connection

   Use “Logs” to verify the API connection is working.

Replenishments Not Creating Automatically

Problem: Automatic replenishments are not being created.

Solution:

1. Verify “autoreple” Tag

   Ensure the distribution center has the autoreple tag added.

2. Check Crossdock Configuration

   Verify you have a crossdock template selected.

3. Enable Automation Checkbox

   Check the “Automate daily creation of Replenishment” option.

4. Verify Schedule

   Contact support to confirm your automated replenishment schedule is configured.

Related Features

Next Steps:

• Product Catalog - Manage inventory across distribution centers
• Orders Management - View how orders are routed to DCs
• Replenishments - Create manual replenishment requests

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For more advanced distribution center routing strategies, contact ShipEdge support for custom routing template configuration.