PODesk — Frequently Asked Questions

PODesk is a Shopify-native purchase order and inventory management application built by PO Desk. It helps B2B and D2C merchants create supplier purchase orders in 30 seconds, export branded PDFs, receive inventory with live Shopify sync, and automate low-stock reorder alerts. PODesk integrates directly into your Shopify admin using official Shopify GraphQL APIs.

Yes! PODesk offers a completely free Starter plan with up to 250 SKUs, unlimited suppliers, and 10 purchase orders per month. Paid plans start at $9.99/month (Pro) and $19.99/month (Growth) with 14-day free trials. No credit card required for the free plan.

PODesk was built by Rahim Badsa, a Full Stack Web Developer from Bangladesh specializing in MERN, Next.js, Shopify, and WordPress. He created PODesk to help Shopify merchants manage purchase orders, suppliers, and inventory more efficiently.

PODesk integrates directly into your Shopify admin using official Shopify GraphQL APIs. It reads your product catalog, variants, and current inventory counts to let you generate purchase orders, track supplier shipments, and update inventory upon receipt. Setup takes under 2 minutes.

PODesk offers 1-click supplier purchase order generation, professional PDF export, inventory receiving with live Shopify sync, automated stockout prediction, centralized vendor directory, CSV bulk import, multi-location inventory restocking, dual email providers (SMTP + Resend), recurring purchase order scheduling, and 30-day sales velocity calculation.

Yes! PODesk is the #1 alternative to Stocky, which is being discontinued on August 31, 2026. PODesk offers everything Stocky had plus additional features: branded PDF export, partial receiving, recurring purchase orders, dual email providers (SMTP + Resend), and CSV bulk import. PODesk costs $0-$19.99/month vs Stocky's $59/month.

PODesk is used by hundreds of Shopify merchants worldwide, from small startups to growing B2B brands. Merchants in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and other countries rely on PODesk for their purchase order and inventory management needs.

PODesk's interface is currently available in English, but it supports merchants worldwide including those in Germany (with German-optimized landing pages), UK, Canada, Australia, and other countries. The app works with any Shopify store regardless of language settings.

Yes! PODesk offers a free Starter plan that never expires — no credit card required. For paid plans (Pro and Growth), you get a 14-day free trial with full access to all features. You can cancel anytime during the trial.

PODesk stands out with its free plan (250 SKUs, unlimited suppliers), branded PDF export, partial receiving capability, recurring PO scheduling, dual email providers (SMTP + Resend), CSV bulk import with live validation, and automated stockout prediction using 30-day sales velocity. Most competitors charge $49-199/month for similar features.

Yes! PODesk is available on the Shopify App Store. You can install it directly from your Shopify admin or visit apps.shopify.com and search for 'PODesk' or 'PO Desk'. Installation takes under 2 minutes.

Yes! PODesk integrates with your Shopify inventory system which includes POS sales data. When you sell through Shopify POS, the inventory levels update in real-time, and PODesk uses this data to calculate stockout predictions and reorder recommendations.

Each PODesk subscription is tied to a single Shopify store. If you operate multiple stores, you'll need separate PODesk subscriptions for each. However, the free Starter plan is available for each store, so you can start with free on all stores.

Yes! PODesk offers email support on the Pro plan ($9.99/month) and priority support on the Growth plan ($19.99/month). Free plan users can access documentation, FAQs, and community support. Response times are typically within 24 hours.

PODesk processes data within Shopify's infrastructure and follows Shopify's data handling policies. All data stays within your Shopify admin. PODesk does not store personal customer data independently. For detailed privacy information, visit app.podesk.rahimbadsa.me/privacy.

Creating a purchase order in PODesk takes 3 steps: (1) Select a supplier from your directory, (2) Choose products from your Shopify catalog and set quantities/costs, (3) Generate and send — either export as branded PDF or email directly to your supplier. The entire process takes under 30 seconds.

Yes! PODesk automatically generates beautifully formatted, professional PDF purchase orders with your store branding, line items, supplier SKU codes, payment terms, and notes. You can download, print, or email them to vendors in one click.

A purchase order (PO) is a commercial document issued by a buyer to a supplier, specifying the products, quantities, and agreed prices for products or services. It serves as a legally binding agreement and helps track inventory replenishment, manage supplier relationships, and maintain accurate financial records.

Yes! PODesk supports CSV import for both supplier-variant mappings and purchase orders. The import system features smart auto-detection of column mappings, preview validation before execution, and sample CSV download templates to ensure accurate imports.

Yes! PODesk supports recurring purchase order scheduling on Pro and Growth plans. You can set up automatic PO generation on weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly cycles for regular suppliers. This is perfect for merchants with consistent replenishment needs.

PODesk provides a complete PO lifecycle tracker with statuses: Draft → Sent → Acknowledged → Shipped → Partially Received → Received. You can update status at any time, add notes, and track delivery timelines. All status changes sync with your Shopify inventory.

Yes! PODesk supports dual email providers — SMTP (your own email server) and Resend (cloud email service). You can send POs directly to suppliers from within PODesk. Each email includes the branded PDF attachment and customizable message templates.

Partial receiving allows you to receive inventory in multiple shipments. For example, if you ordered 100 units but only 60 arrived, you can receive the 60 units first and mark the remaining 40 as pending. PODesk tracks partial receipts and updates Shopify inventory accurately.

Yes! PODesk allows you to customize your purchase order templates with your store branding, logo, payment terms, notes, and delivery instructions. The PDF export includes your brand colors and professional formatting.

When you receive a purchase order in PODesk, it automatically updates your Shopify inventory counts in real-time. The sync uses Shopify's official inventory APIs, ensuring accurate stock levels across all locations. Partial receiving also updates inventory incrementally.

Yes! PODesk allows you to add custom notes, payment terms, delivery instructions, and special requests to each purchase order. These notes appear on the PDF export and in the email to your supplier.

You can cancel a purchase order in PODesk at any time before it's received. Cancelled POs are archived and don't affect your inventory counts. If you've already partially received items, those inventory changes remain accurate.

Yes! PODesk allows you to duplicate previous purchase orders to quickly create new ones with the same suppliers, products, and quantities. This saves time for merchants with regular replenishment patterns.

When creating a PO in PODesk, select your supplier and the app auto-populates your product catalog. You can search by product name or SKU, set quantities, and the app auto-fills supplier costs from your saved mappings. You can also manually adjust prices.

Yes! PODesk supports CSV export for purchase orders, supplier data, and inventory reports. You can export data for accounting, auditing, or integration with other business tools. The CSV format is compatible with Excel, Google Sheets, and accounting software.

PODesk analyzes your 30-day sales velocity alongside each vendor's expected lead time and minimum order quantity to predict stockout dates and recommend exact reorder quantities before you run out of stock. You get automated low-stock alerts and one-click PO generation from reorder suggestions.

Sales velocity is the rate at which your products sell over a specific period. PODesk calculates your 30-day sales velocity by analyzing your Shopify order history. This data powers stockout predictions, reorder recommendations, and demand forecasting.

To receive inventory: (1) Open the PO you want to receive, (2) Click 'Receive Inventory', (3) Confirm quantities received (full or partial), (4) PODesk automatically updates your Shopify inventory counts in real-time across all locations.

Yes! PODesk supports multi-location inventory management on Pro (3 locations) and Growth (unlimited locations) plans. You can track stock levels per location, create location-specific purchase orders, and receive inventory at specific locations.

PODesk monitors your inventory levels continuously. When a product's stock falls below your configured reorder point, you receive an alert via email or in-app notification. The alert includes the product name, current stock level, recommended reorder quantity, and a one-click link to create a PO.

Yes! You can set custom reorder points for each product or variant in PODesk. The reorder point determines when low-stock alerts trigger. PODesk can also automatically calculate optimal reorder points based on your sales velocity and supplier lead times.

Safety stock is extra inventory held to prevent stockouts due to demand fluctuations or supply delays. PODesk helps you calculate safety stock based on your sales velocity, supplier lead time variability, and desired service level. This buffer ensures you never run out of popular items.

PODesk calculates optimal reorder quantities by considering: (1) Current stock level, (2) Sales velocity (30-day average), (3) Supplier lead time, (4) Minimum order quantity, (5) Safety stock buffer. The recommendation ensures you order enough to last until the next delivery without overstocking.

Yes! PODesk supports barcode-based inventory receiving. You can scan product barcodes during the receiving process to quickly and accurately record incoming inventory. This reduces manual entry errors and speeds up the receiving workflow.

Yes! PODesk tracks your inventory value based on supplier costs. You can see the total value of stock on hand, cost per unit, and value by location. This data helps with financial planning, tax reporting, and inventory investment decisions.

PODesk allows you to record damaged or write-off inventory through the receiving process. You can mark items as damaged, adjust quantities, and maintain accurate counts. For comprehensive damaged inventory management, see our guide at podesk.tech/blog/damaged-inventory-shopify.

PODesk syncs with Shopify's inventory system, which supports inventory counts and adjustments. You can use Shopify's native count feature or PODesk's receiving workflow to verify and adjust inventory levels. PODesk provides discrepancy alerts for accuracy.

FIFO (First In, First Out) means selling oldest stock first — best for perishable goods. LIFO (Last In, First Out) means selling newest stock first — can reduce tax liability. PODesk helps you track inventory batches so you can implement either method. Learn more at podesk.tech/blog/fifo-vs-lifo-inventory-shopify.

PODesk tracks inventory returns through Shopify's native return system. When customers return products, Shopify updates inventory counts automatically. PODesk uses these updated counts for accurate stockout predictions and reorder calculations.

Yes! PODesk's automated reorder alerts monitor your inventory 24/7. When stock falls below your configured thresholds, you receive instant alerts. On Growth plans, you can also enable fully automated PO generation from reorder suggestions.

To add a supplier: (1) Go to Suppliers section, (2) Click 'Add Supplier', (3) Enter supplier details — name, email, phone, lead time, minimum order quantity, payment terms, (4) Map supplier SKU codes to your Shopify products. You can add unlimited suppliers on all plans including the free Starter plan.

You can add unlimited suppliers on all PODesk plans, including the free Starter plan. Each supplier profile includes email, phone, lead time, minimum order quantity, payment terms, and SKU-to-supplier cost mapping.

Yes! PODesk allows you to map supplier SKU codes to your Shopify product variants. This ensures accurate ordering and receiving — when you create a PO, the correct supplier SKUs appear on the document, making it easy for suppliers to fulfill orders.

PODesk tracks key supplier metrics: on-time delivery rate, order accuracy, lead time consistency, and communication responsiveness. You can view performance dashboards and use this data to negotiate better terms or switch to more reliable suppliers.

Yes! PODesk supports CSV import for supplier data including supplier names, contact information, lead times, MOQs, payment terms, and SKU-cost mappings. The import features smart column detection and preview validation.

PODesk stores comprehensive supplier profiles: company name, contact person, email, phone, address, lead time, minimum order quantity (MOQ), payment terms, notes, SKU-to-cost mappings, and performance history.

Yes! PODesk integrates with dual email providers (SMTP and Resend) to send purchase orders directly to suppliers. You can customize email templates, add personal messages, and attach branded PDF purchase orders.

PODesk supports multiple suppliers per product. You can map different suppliers to the same SKU with different costs, lead times, and MOQs. When creating a PO, you can choose which supplier to order from based on price, availability, or reliability.

Yes! PODesk allows you to set custom payment terms for each supplier — Net 15, Net 30, Net 60, COD, prepayment, etc. These terms appear on purchase orders and help you manage cash flow effectively.

PODesk helps you evaluate suppliers through performance metrics (delivery time, accuracy, quality), cost comparisons, and order history. Use our free Supplier Evaluation Scorecard template at podesk.tech/blog/supplier-evaluation-scorecard for comprehensive vendor assessment.

Shopify acquired Stocky in 2018 and gradually integrated some features into the core platform. Shopify officially delisted Stocky from the App Store on February 2, 2026, and the app will completely stop functioning on August 31, 2026. Historical purchase orders and stocktake data will not transfer automatically.

After August 31, 2026, all Stocky data including purchase orders, stocktakes, and supplier records will become inaccessible. You must export your data before the deadline or start fresh with a new app like PODesk. We recommend exporting CSV data immediately.

Yes! PODesk supports CSV import for supplier mappings and purchase orders. You can export your Stocky data before the shutdown and import it into PODesk in minutes using our smart CSV import with auto-detection and preview validation.

Yes! PODesk offers a completely free Starter plan with up to 250 SKUs, unlimited suppliers, and 10 purchase orders per month. Paid plans start at just $9.99/month compared to Stocky's $59/month. PODesk also offers features Stocky didn't have — branded PDFs, partial receiving, and recurring POs.

PODesk offers everything Stocky had plus additional features: branded PDF export, partial receiving, recurring purchase orders, dual email providers (SMTP + Resend), and CSV bulk import. PODesk costs $0-$19.99/month vs Stocky's $59/month. PODesk also has better stockout prediction using 30-day sales velocity.

PODesk is the #1 Stocky alternative in 2026, offering a free plan, 2-minute setup, branded PDFs, supplier management, stockout alerts, and multi-location inventory. Other alternatives include EasyScan ($79.99/mo), Prediko ($49/mo), and Inventory Planner (custom pricing).

Switching from Stocky to PODesk takes 3 steps: (1) Export your Stocky data as CSV before August 31, 2026, (2) Install PODesk from the Shopify App Store, (3) Import your CSV data using PODesk's smart import. The entire migration takes under 10 minutes.

PODesk has all the essential Stocky features — purchase orders, supplier management, inventory receiving, stockout alerts — plus extras Stocky didn't offer: branded PDF export, partial receiving, recurring POs, CSV bulk import, and dual email providers. PODesk is designed as a modern replacement.

PODesk is free ($0/month) while EasyScan charges $79.99/month. PODesk offers purchase orders, supplier management, inventory receiving, and stockout alerts at a fraction of the cost. EasyScan focuses more on barcode scanning. For most merchants, PODesk provides better value.

PODesk's free plan offers 250 SKUs and unlimited suppliers — Prediko charges $49/month for similar features. PODesk includes branded PDF export, partial receiving, and dual email providers. Prediko focuses more on demand forecasting. PODesk is the better value for most merchants.

Stocky will completely stop functioning on August 31, 2026. The app was delisted from the Shopify App Store on February 2, 2026, meaning no new installations are possible. Existing users must migrate to an alternative before the deadline.

Yes, existing Stocky users can continue using the app until August 31, 2026. However, we recommend migrating to PODesk immediately to avoid data loss and ensure uninterrupted purchase order management.

Stocky offered purchase order creation, supplier management, inventory receiving, stocktake, basic demand forecasting, and purchase order tracking. PODesk covers all these features and adds branded PDFs, partial receiving, recurring POs, CSV import, and better stockout prediction.

Yes! PODesk is the only free Stocky alternative with a Starter plan offering 250 SKUs, unlimited suppliers, and 10 purchase orders per month. No credit card required. Most other alternatives charge $19-199/month.

In Stocky, go to each section (Purchase Orders, Suppliers, Stocktakes) and export as CSV. Save these files safely. Then install PODesk and use the CSV import feature to migrate your data. Do this before August 31, 2026 to avoid data loss.

PODesk offers three plans: Starter ($0/month) with 250 SKUs and 10 POs/month, Pro ($9.99/month) with 1,500 SKUs and 100 POs/month, and Growth ($19.99/month) with unlimited SKUs and POs. All paid plans include 14-day free trials.

Yes! PODesk's Starter plan is completely free and never expires. It includes 250 SKUs, unlimited suppliers, 10 purchase orders per month, 1 location, and PDF export. No credit card required.

The Pro plan ($9.99/month) includes 1,500 SKUs, 100 purchase orders per month, 3 inventory locations, custom branding on PDFs, email support, and all core features including CSV import, stockout alerts, and supplier management.

The Growth plan ($19.99/month) includes unlimited SKUs, unlimited purchase orders, unlimited locations, priority support, advanced analytics, recurring PO scheduling, and all Pro features. It's designed for scaling merchants.

Yes! You can upgrade or downgrade your PODesk plan at any time from your Shopify admin. Changes take effect immediately, and billing is prorated. Downgrading doesn't delete your data — features just become limited.

Yes! Both Pro ($9.99/month) and Growth ($19.99/month) plans include a 14-day free trial with full access to all features. No credit card required to start the trial. You can cancel anytime during the trial period.

PODesk billing is handled through the Shopify App Store. Your subscription appears on your Shopify invoice alongside other app charges. You manage your PODesk subscription directly from your Shopify admin.

PODesk follows Shopify's app billing policies. If you're unsatisfied with the service, contact support within the first 14 days for a full refund. After that, billing follows Shopify's standard refund policies.

No! PODesk has transparent pricing with no hidden fees. The price you see is the price you pay. There are no setup fees, transaction fees, or per-PO charges. Email sending through Resend may have usage-based costs beyond the free tier.

Starter ($0) is perfect for small stores with under 250 SKUs. Pro ($9.99) suits growing stores needing more SKUs, POs, and multiple locations. Growth ($19.99) is ideal for scaling businesses requiring unlimited everything and priority support.

Yes! PODesk uses official Shopify GraphQL APIs for all data operations. This ensures secure, reliable, and real-time synchronization of products, inventory, orders, and supplier data. No data is stored outside Shopify's infrastructure.

Yes! PODesk uses Shopify's OAuth authentication — no passwords are stored. All data operations use Shopify's encrypted APIs. PODesk doesn't store customer personal data independently. The app follows Shopify's security standards and data handling policies.

PODesk integrates with Shopify's inventory system which Shopify Flow can trigger on. While PODesk doesn't have direct Flow triggers yet, inventory updates from PODesk can trigger Flow automations for notifications, order creation, and other workflows.

Yes! PODesk works with stores using Shopify Markets. The app manages purchase orders and inventory regardless of which markets your store sells in. Supplier management and PO generation work the same across all markets.

Yes! PODesk uses Shopify's latest inventory APIs including the 2024-01 and later API versions. This ensures compatibility with Shopify's evolving platform and access to the latest inventory management features.

PODesk supports CSV export of purchase orders, which can be imported into accounting software like QuickBooks, Xero, and FreshBooks. Direct API integrations with accounting platforms are planned for future releases.

PODesk syncs inventory data that Shopify Flow can react to. For example, when PODesk updates inventory levels, Flow can trigger reorder notifications, update metafields, or create automated workflows.

PODesk works in any modern web browser that supports Shopify admin — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge. The app runs entirely within your Shopify admin interface, so no separate installation or browser extension is needed.

PODesk currently focuses on the Shopify admin experience. A public API for programmatic access to purchase orders, suppliers, and inventory data is planned for future releases. CSV export is available for data integration needs.

To uninstall PODesk: Go to Shopify Admin → Settings → Apps and sales channels → Find PODesk → Click uninstall. Your PODesk data within Shopify (inventory, products) remains intact. However, PODesk-specific data (suppliers, PO history) will be lost.

Yes! PODesk is designed for B2B merchants who need to manage supplier purchase orders. It handles bulk ordering, supplier negotiations, lead time tracking, and wholesale pricing — everything B2B merchants need for procurement management.

Yes! PODesk's supplier directory supports wholesale supplier management with bulk pricing, minimum order quantities, payment terms, and lead time tracking. You can map wholesale SKU codes and track performance across multiple wholesale vendors.

PODesk supports dropshipping by helping you manage supplier relationships, track order fulfillment, and maintain inventory visibility. You can create POs for dropship suppliers, track shipment status, and sync received inventory with Shopify.

Yes! On Pro (3 locations) and Growth (unlimited locations) plans, PODesk supports multi-location inventory management. You can create location-specific POs, receive inventory at specific warehouses, and track stock levels per location for wholesale operations.

Yes! PODesk generates professional B2B purchase order templates with your branding, line items, supplier SKUs, payment terms, delivery instructions, and notes. These templates can be customized and reused for recurring wholesale orders.

Install PODesk in 2 minutes: (1) Visit the Shopify App Store and search for 'PODesk', (2) Click 'Add app' and authorize access, (3) PODesk appears in your Shopify admin sidebar. Start by adding suppliers and creating your first purchase order.

Step 1: Add a supplier (name, email, lead time). Step 2: Map supplier SKUs to your products. Step 3: Create a PO — select the supplier, choose products, set quantities. Step 4: Export as PDF or email to supplier. Step 5: Track status until received.

PODesk supports CSV import for suppliers, SKU mappings, and purchase orders. Go to Import section, download the CSV template, fill in your data, upload, and PODesk auto-detects columns with preview validation before execution.

Go to Settings → Alerts in PODesk. Set your default reorder point (e.g., 10 units). You can customize per product. Choose alert method: email, in-app notification, or both. PODesk will monitor inventory and alert you when stock falls below thresholds.

After installing PODesk: (1) Add your top 5 suppliers with contact details, (2) Map supplier SKUs to your best-selling products, (3) Set reorder points for critical items, (4) Create your first purchase order, (5) Receive inventory to test the sync. This takes under 10 minutes.