Product: TrueAuto platform

Article link: http://kb.trueauto.truecommerce.com/en/articles/9157391-trueauto-forecast-orders-vs-firm-orders

There is a common misconception that Forecast Orders and Firm Orders are the same and can be used interchangeably. Forecast orders can sometimes be used as firm orders, and this depends on the trading partners and how they use their specifications. While Forecast and Firm Orders are somewhat similar about ordering, there is a distinct difference that translates to drastically different purposes of use.

When trading partners send forecast data via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), TrueAuto generally separates orders into Forecast Orders and Firm Orders. As releases from Trading Partners are processed, Forecast Orders are transferred to the planning file, while firm orders are transferred to the Firm Orders file.

Forecast Orders and Firm Orders are located separately in TrueAuto, and their definitions, below, indicate key differences.

The Forecast Orders file can be used for material and/or production planning based on incoming EDI data. You can use the forecast information for printing reports, creating exports, or if needed, preparing Advance Shipping Notices (ASNs). You cannot ship against Forecast Orders.

The Firm Orders file contains all “firmed” shipment requests from the trading partner based on incoming EDI data. Each firm order is defined by the trading partner specifications, which are preloaded into TrueAuto. Firm orders must be shipped and when they are ready to ship, Firm Orders are then attached to user-created shipments (ASNs) through a process called Assignment.

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