This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the order life cycle in Flxpoint, detailing the process from import to fulfillment analysis. Explore what the order life cycle entails, how to manage each phase, follow a hands-on tutorial, and refer to detailed examples and tools, designed for all users, especially newcomers. (Last updated: 08:25 PM -04, Sunday, June 15, 2025)

🔍 What Is the Order Life Cycle?

The order life cycle in Flxpoint outlines the journey of an order from its import to final analysis, encompassing seven general phases:

1. Importing: Import orders from a channel.
2. Invoicing: For B2C channels importing the receipt or B2B channels generating an invoice and capturing payment.
3. Routing Orders: Route orders by generating or manually creating Fulfillment Requests/Fulfillment Orders (FR/FOs) for eligible source(s).
4. Processing: Submitting FR/FOs to source(s) and (optionally) receiving acknowledgments back from source(s).
5. Shipments: and/or invoices imported from source(s).
6. Shipments: synced back to the sales channel.
7. Analyzing Order Profitability: Requires a source invoice to be added for each FR/FO.

Example Scenario:

• An order is imported from Shopify, generating a B2C receipt.
• It’s routed to a preferred source, processed with an acknowledgment, and shipped.
• The shipment syncs back to Shopify, and profitability is analyzed with a source invoice.

Key Difference: An order is what comes in from your sales channel, while a purchase order (PO) is sent to your source or supplier for fulfillment (as noted in the video at 0:20-0:27).

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Image: This diagram illustrates the order life cycle, showing the flow from order import to shipment sync and profitability analysis.

Video: This 3:40 video provides an overview of the order life cycle, explaining how orders are routed, purchase orders are generated, and shipments are managed (transcript available for reference).

In terms of our automated integrations, the general flow of processes is:

• Integrated Channel → Get Orders.
• Internal Routing Orders.
• Integrated Source → Send Fulfillment Requests/Fulfillment Orders.
• Integrated Source → Get FR/FO Acknowledgments (optional).
• Integrated Source → Get Shipments.
• Integrated Source → Get Invoices.
• Integrated Channel → Sync Orders.

🛠️ How-to Guides

A. How to Import Orders

1. Ensure your sales channel is integrated with Flxpoint’s Get Orders feature.
2. Navigate to the Orders section and initiate the import process.
3. Verify the imported order details match the channel data.
4. Check for any workflow rules that may apply (e.g., hold status).

B. How to Invoice Orders

1. For B2C: Confirm the receipt is generated automatically upon import.
2. For B2B: Go to the order, apply invoicing workflows, and generate the invoice.
3. Add custom rules (e.g., $2 dropship fee) via the reseller channel’s Invoicing page.
4. Review the invoice total before submission.

C. How to Route Orders

1. Go to Settings > Orders and Routing to set routing priorities (e.g., lowest cost, preferred source).
2. Manually generate a FR/FO or enable auto-generation at the channel level.
3. Review the selected source based on routing rules.
4. Submit the FR/FO to the source.

D. How to Process Orders

1. Navigate to the source level and confirm the FR/FO is ready.
2. Process the FR/FO manually or enable auto-processing (set at the source level).
3. Wait for an acknowledgment from the source (optional).
4. Verify the order moves to an acknowledged state.

E. How to Manage Shipments

1. Run the Get Shipments job or manually add shipment details (e.g., ship date).
2. Sync the shipment back to the sales channel.
3. Import source invoices to track costs.
4. Confirm shipment details are updated in Flxpoint.

F. How to Analyze Order Profitability

1. Ensure a source invoice is added for each FR/FO.
2. Navigate to the order details and review the profitability report.
3. Compare source costs with channel revenue (e.g., subtotal vs. total).
4. Adjust pricing or routing strategies based on insights.

These guides help you navigate each phase of the order life cycle effectively.

🧪 Tutorial

Complete an Order Life Cycle

Goal: Process an order from import to profitability analysis.

Scenario: A B2C order (Order #5001) for Item W789 (Quantity: 2) is imported from Shopify.

Steps:

1. Import Order #5001 via the Shopify Get Orders integration.
2. Verify the B2C receipt is generated with a total of $30.00.
3. Set routing to the preferred source (e.g., Warehouse A) and generate a FR/FO.
4. Process the FR/FO and wait for the source acknowledgment.
5. Run Get Shipments to update the shipment status and sync it to Shopify.
6. Import the source invoice and analyze profitability (e.g., $25 cost vs. $30 revenue).

🧪 You’ve completed the order life cycle! Use this insight to optimize your process.

📚 Reference

Order Life Cycle Phases

Example Order Life Cycle