A retailer connecting warehouse data to a storefront must choose the right quantity state. Adding incoming stock to on-hand stock can produce a plausible large number that overstates what is available now. Commission a conservation check with explicit committed and unavailable quantities.
Primary evidence and claim boundaries
Shopify defines on-hand as available plus committed plus unavailable. Incoming is separate and is not available to sell merely because it is expected; inactive locations can display a dash for available. Primary reference · Read 18 October 2026.
Filled acceptance example
Original synthetic teaching scenario, not a client case, provider integration test or business result. The example policy needs the actual owner’s approval; scroll the table on narrow screens.
| Input and state | Declared check | Expected output and decision |
|---|---|---|
| LocationA: onHand8, committed3, unavailable2 | 8−3−2 | Available3, not8 |
| Same location; incoming5 | Keep outside onHand equation | Available remains3 before eligible receipt |
| onHand8, committed3, unavailable2, reportedAvailable4 | 3+2+4=9 | Reconciliation mismatch; investigate source/time scope |
| Inactive location; available is dash | No available quantity supplied | Unknown/not applicable, not numeric zero |
Practical handover procedure
- Map each source field to its defined inventory state, location, variant and observation time. Do not merge snapshots taken before and after an adjustment.
- Run the four filled records and reconcile the state equation. A disagreement must produce a visible hold, not a negative quantity clamp that hides the error.
- In an authorised store test, trace one receipt, commitment and unavailable-stock change to the storefront’s final sellable figure. Inventory alone does not establish market publication or delivery eligibility.
Interpret the outcome
The available quantity is3 even though13 units are physically held or expected across the two categories. The mismatch row identifies a record that needs investigation, while the dash row prevents unknown evidence from becoming an invented zero. Neither is solved by displaying a generic “in stock” badge.
Acceptance decision
Require consistent state/location/time scope and the correct available figure. Keep receipt completion, market visibility and customer delivery promises separate.
Limits and unverified work
Synthetic inventory ledger, no adjustment, store access or reservation. Apps and actual receipt states may differ and require current supplier evidence.
Download the filled bilingual acceptance record — Contains the inputs, steps, expectations and limits. This is a teaching record, not an executable production integration.