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Elevation Distribution Glossary & Terms

Getting Started
Onboarding Overview
Fulfillment Control Panel (FCP) Overview
Sending Your First Inventory
Glossary & Terms

Purpose

This glossary defines the most commonly used terms within the Elevation Distribution Fulfillment Portal (FCP), onboarding documentation, operational workflows, and support communications. Understanding these terms will help you navigate the system efficiently and communicate effectively with the Elevation Distribution team.

1. Account

Your company’s profile within the Elevation Distribution system.

An account includes:

  • Users and permissions

  • Integrations

  • Product SKUs

  • Inventory records

  • Orders

  • Billing and reporting data

All fulfillment activity is associated with your account.

2. Administrator

A user with full access to the Elevation Distribution Fulfillment Portal.

Administrators can:

  • Add or remove users

  • Modify permissions

  • Configure integrations

  • Manage billing settings

  • Update account preferences

  • Access operational reports

3. API (Application Programming Interface)

An automated connection between your ecommerce platform and the Elevation Distribution system.

API integrations allow systems to automatically exchange:

  • Orders

  • Inventory counts

  • Shipment tracking

  • Fulfillment statuses

  • Product updates

Examples include:

  • Shopify

  • Amazon

  • Walmart

  • TikTok Shop

  • WooCommerce

  • BigCommerce

4. ASN (Advanced Shipment Notice)

A digital notification submitted before inbound inventory arrives at the warehouse.

The ASN informs the warehouse about:

  • Incoming products

  • Shipment quantities

  • Number of cartons or pallets

  • Included SKUs

  • Carrier and tracking information

Submitting an ASN helps speed up the receiving process and reduce delays.

5. Backorder

A customer order that cannot be fulfilled immediately due to insufficient inventory availability.

Backordered items are typically:

  • Held until inventory becomes available

  • Released automatically once stock is received and processed

6. Dashboard

The main homepage inside the Fulfillment Portal.

The dashboard provides quick access to:

  • Orders

  • Inventory

  • Receivings

  • Reports

  • Integrations

  • Billing

  • Operational summaries

It also displays recent account activity and fulfillment updates.

7. Discrepancy

A mismatch between:

  • Expected inventory quantities
    and

  • Actual quantities received

Discrepancies may involve:

  • Missing items

  • Damaged products

  • Incorrect SKUs

  • Quantity variances

Discrepancies are documented during receiving and reviewed before inventory becomes available for fulfillment.

8. Fulfillment Portal (FCP)

The Elevation Distribution web-based fulfillment management platform.

The portal allows clients to:

  • Monitor inventory

  • Track orders

  • Review shipments

  • Generate reports

  • Access billing

  • Manage integrations

  • Submit support requests

The system is available 24/7 for operational visibility and fulfillment management.

9. Integration

A connection between your ecommerce platform, marketplace, ERP, or operational software and the Elevation Distribution system.

Integrations automate:

  • Order imports

  • Inventory synchronization

  • Shipment updates

  • Tracking uploads

Examples include:

  • Shopify

  • Amazon

  • Walmart Marketplace

  • QuickBooks

  • HubSpot

  • Klaviyo

  • Zendesk

10. Inventory

All products stored within Elevation Distribution warehouse facilities under your account.

Inventory levels automatically update when:

  • Orders ship

  • New inventory is received

  • Returns are processed

  • Adjustments are made

Inventory Terminology

On-Hand Quantity

The total number of units physically stored in the warehouse.

Allocated Quantity

Units reserved for pending or unshipped customer orders.

Available Quantity

Units currently available for sale and fulfillment.

Calculated as:

Available Inventory = On-Hand Quantity – Allocated Quantity

11. Order Status

Each order inside the Fulfillment Portal is assigned a status indicating its current fulfillment stage.

Common Order Statuses

New

Order received and awaiting processing.

In Process

Order is currently being picked, packed, or prepared for shipment.

Shipped

Order has been completed and tracking information has been uploaded.

Hold

Order processing has been paused pending:

  • Inventory availability

  • Payment review

  • Address verification

  • Client instructions

Cancelled

Order was stopped before shipment due to:

  • Client request

  • Customer cancellation

  • System error

  • Fraud review

12. Receiving

The warehouse process of checking in and processing inbound inventory shipments.

Receiving includes:

  • Inventory counting

  • SKU verification

  • Inspection

  • Product measurement

  • System updates

A receiving record is typically created through an ASN before the shipment arrives.

13. SKU (Stock Keeping Unit)

A unique identifier assigned to each product or product variation.

SKUs are used to:

  • Track inventory

  • Process orders

  • Sync products between systems

  • Maintain fulfillment accuracy

Each variation (size, color, bundle, etc.) requires its own unique SKU.

14. Shipping Mapping

The configuration that connects your storefront shipping methods to Elevation Distribution shipping services.

Examples:

  • Standard Shipping

  • Expedited Shipping

  • Overnight Delivery

Shipping mapping ensures orders import with the correct:

  • Carrier

  • Service level

  • Delivery expectations

15. Support Ticket

A tracked communication request submitted to the Elevation Distribution Support Team.

Support tickets may be created through:

  • The Support Portal

  • Email

  • The FCP Support tab

Each ticket receives:

  • A unique reference number

  • Status updates

  • Ongoing communication history

16. Tracking Update

Shipment information automatically sent to your ecommerce platform or marketplace after an order ships.

Tracking updates typically include:

  • Tracking number

  • Carrier information

  • Shipment status

  • Delivery updates

The order status is generally updated to:

Shipped

once tracking is transmitted.

17. Warehouse

The physical fulfillment facility where inventory is:

  • Stored

  • Processed

  • Picked

  • Packed

  • Shipped

Elevation Distribution may operate through:

  • Multiple warehouse locations

  • Regional fulfillment centers

  • Distributed logistics networks

depending on your fulfillment configuration.

18. WMS (Warehouse Management System)

The internal warehouse software system used by Elevation Distribution to manage fulfillment operations.

The WMS handles:

  • Inventory tracking

  • Order processing

  • Barcode scanning

  • Warehouse routing

  • Picking workflows

  • Shipping management

Integrated ecommerce platforms sync directly with the WMS to ensure accurate fulfillment operations.

Next Steps

Now that you are familiar with the key fulfillment and operational terminology:

Continue To:

Order Processing Flow

This guide explains how customer orders move through:

  • Store integrations

  • Order import

  • Picking & packing

  • Shipping workflows

  • Tracking updates

  • Fulfillment completion

Understanding the order lifecycle helps ensure accurate operations, faster troubleshooting, and improved fulfillment visibility.