Alerts

Set a low-stock threshold on any product and get an automatic email alert when it's reached routed per branch, with delivery logging and a built-in cooldown.

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STOCKFLOW

Inventory management

Alerts

By Tibeau De Grauwe, FounderUpdated June 2026

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  • Setup in 10 minutes
SStockFlow Team3 min read

Inventory alerts are automated email notifications that warn you when a product's stock drops to or below a threshold you set, or runs out completely. They help you catch a reorder before it becomes a stockout.

StockFlow's alert system checks stock levels as they change and emails the alert address configured for that branch when a low-stock or out-of-stock condition is met. For more details, see our inventory management software guide and barcode scanning features.

Automated Inventory Alerts for Better Control

StockFlow's alert system provides email notifications for low stock and stockouts, with per-branch routing and controls built to prevent alert fatigue helping you maintain optimal inventory levels and prevent costly stockouts.

Per-Product Reorder Thresholds

Set a minimum stock level on any product. Alerts trigger automatically the moment quantity on hand reaches that threshold.

Low Stock & Out-of-Stock Detection

StockFlow checks stock levels against each product's threshold and distinguishes low stock from a full stockout so you know how urgent the reorder is.

Branch-Level Alert Routing

Configure a separate alert email address per warehouse or branch, so the right location manager is notified for their own stock.

On/Off Control Per Alert Type

Turn low-stock alerts and out-of-stock alerts on or off independently for each branch, so you only get notified about what matters to that location.

Cooldown to Prevent Alert Fatigue

Once an alert fires for a product, StockFlow won't send another one for the same product and alert type for 24 hours, so you get notified once, not repeatedly.

Test Alerts & Delivery Log

Send yourself a test alert to confirm your email setup before you rely on it, and every alert email is logged so you can confirm delivery.

How Inventory Alerts Work

Automated notifications that keep you informed about inventory status, helping you maintain optimal stock levels and prevent stockouts.

1Set a minimum stock level

Open any product and set the minimum stock level (reorder point) that should trigger an alert.

2Configure the alert email for each branch

In branch settings, add the email address (or addresses) that should receive low-stock and out-of-stock alerts for that location.

3StockFlow checks stock levels as they change

When a sale, adjustment, or count brings a product to or below its threshold, StockFlow evaluates whether an alert is due.

4An email goes out — once, not repeatedly

If the alert type is enabled and the 24-hour cooldown has passed, StockFlow emails the configured branch address and logs the delivery.

Types of Inventory Alerts

StockFlow's alert system covers stock-level events, with routing and controls built for multi-location teams.

Low Stock Alert

Fires when a product's quantity on hand drops to or below its configured minimum stock level, while some stock still remains.

Out-of-Stock Alert

Fires when a product's quantity on hand reaches zero — a distinct, more urgent notification from a simple low-stock warning.

Per-Branch Routing

Each warehouse or branch has its own alert email address and its own on/off switches, so multi-location teams aren't flooded with alerts for stock they don't manage.

Test Alert

A one-off email you can trigger yourself to confirm SMTP/email delivery is working correctly before you depend on live alerts.

Designed for Inventory Teams Everywhere

From single-location retail to multi-warehouse operations, StockFlow's alerts adapt to how your team is structured.

Retail & Omnichannel

  • Get notified before a fast-moving SKU actually runs out on the shelf or online.
  • Set tighter thresholds on your bestsellers and looser ones on slow movers.
  • Route alerts to the store or location that actually needs to act on them.

Operations & Reordering

  • Use a low-stock alert as the trigger to start a purchase order — see our purchase order management guide for that next step.
  • Every alert is logged, so you have a record of when a threshold was crossed and when the notification went out.
  • Send a test alert after onboarding a new branch to confirm the right people are on the list.

Warehouse & Multi-Location

  • Set independent thresholds per product per location, since the same SKU can move at very different speeds across warehouses.
  • Keep each branch manager focused on their own alerts instead of a single shared inbox.
  • Pair alerts with CSV export or one of StockFlow's native connectors (Shopify, Square, Housecall Pro, and others) to keep reordering data in sync with the rest of your stack.

Set Up Alerts in Minutes

Alerts are configured directly in product and branch settings there's no separate app to install or IT project to run.

Fast configuration

Set a minimum stock level per product and an alert email per branch from the same settings screens you already use.

Independent controls

Turn low-stock and out-of-stock alerts on or off separately for each branch, so each location only gets what's relevant to it.

Works alongside your other tools

Export data via CSV or connect StockFlow's native integrations (Shopify, Square, Housecall Pro, and more) to keep the rest of your stack informed. A public API is on our roadmap but not generally available today see our enterprise page for current status.

Reliability & Delivery

  • Role-based branch permissions control who can view and change alert settings. SSO and enforced MFA are on our roadmap, not available today see our security page.
  • A 24-hour cooldown per product and alert type prevents duplicate emails from flooding your inbox.
  • Every alert email is logged, so you can confirm what was sent, to whom, and when.

Frequently asked questions

What are inventory alerts?
Inventory alerts are automated email notifications that warn you when a product's stock level drops to or below its configured minimum, or reaches zero. They help you catch a reorder before it becomes a stockout.
How do inventory alerts work?
Inventory alerts work by checking stock levels as they change. When a product's quantity on hand drops to or below its configured minimum stock level, or reaches zero, StockFlow sends an email to the alert address configured for that branch, as long as the alert type is enabled and the 24-hour cooldown for that product has passed.
What types of alerts can I set up?
StockFlow supports low-stock alerts (quantity at or below your configured minimum) and out-of-stock alerts (quantity at zero), each of which can be turned on or off independently per branch. You set the minimum stock level per product.
Can I customize alert thresholds?
Yes, you set a minimum stock level individually for each product. There is currently no bulk category-level default alerts are configured per product, so different products can have different thresholds based on how fast they move.
How quickly will I receive alerts?
Alerts are checked and sent as stock levels change, subject to a 24-hour cooldown per product and alert type so you are notified once per event rather than repeatedly. Delivery is by email today; there is no SMS or push notification channel currently.
What is the ROI of inventory alerts?
The ROI is typically very high. Businesses see: prevention of stockouts (which can cost 20% of lost sales), 25% reduction in carrying costs, improved cash flow, and better inventory turnover. Most businesses see ROI within the first month through stockout prevention and cost savings.
Can inventory alerts be customized by product category?
Not as a bulk category setting today thresholds are set per individual product, not per category. In practice this still lets you give fast-moving items a higher reorder point and slow-moving items a lower one; you just set each product's minimum stock level individually rather than applying one rule to a whole category at once.
How do inventory alerts prevent stockouts?
Inventory alerts prevent stockouts by monitoring stock levels as they change and sending an email as soon as a product drops to or below its reorder point (or hits zero). That early warning gives you time to reorder before you actually run out.
Can I set up alerts for expiration dates?
Not through the automated email alert system today that currently covers low-stock and out-of-stock conditions only. StockFlow does let you record expiry dates per batch and review them manually see our expiry date tracking feature for what's available now.
How do inventory alerts integrate with purchase orders?
Alerts don't automatically generate a purchase order today. A low-stock or out-of-stock alert email tells you which product needs reordering, and you create the purchase order yourself from there see our purchase order management guide for that workflow.
Can I receive alerts on mobile devices?
Alerts are delivered by email, so you will receive them on your phone if you check email there StockFlow does not currently have a dedicated mobile push notification or SMS channel.
How do inventory alerts help with inventory optimization?
Inventory alerts help optimize inventory by: identifying slow-moving items that need attention, highlighting fast-moving items that need higher stock levels, preventing overstock situations, and ensuring optimal stock levels. This improves cash flow and reduces carrying costs.
Can I set up alerts for multiple locations?
Yes, StockFlow supports location-specific alerts. You can set different reorder points and alert thresholds for each warehouse or location. This ensures alerts are relevant to each location's specific inventory needs and turnover rates.