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Stock transfers allow you to move inventory between workspaces (locations) while maintaining accurate tracking and audit trails.

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Overview

Stock transfer features:
  • Transfer products between any workspaces you have access to
  • Real-time stock updates at both source and destination
  • Complete transfer history and audit trail
  • Automatic validation of available stock
  • Reference number tracking

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Prerequisites

Before transferring stock:
  • Multi-Workspace Access: You must have access to both source and destination workspaces
  • Stock Tracking Enabled: Product must have track_stock = true
  • Available Stock: Sufficient quantity at source workspace
  • Permissions: inventory:transfer permission

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Transfer Workflow

1

Navigate to Stock Transfers

Go to Inventory → Stock Transfers → New TransferReference: StockTransferController::create() in app/Http/Controllers/StockTransferController.php:42The system loads:
  • All products with stock tracking enabled
  • Products with available stock in your current workspace
  • All workspaces you have access to (excluding current workspace)
// Only products with available stock are shown
$products = Product::query()
    ->where('track_stock', true)
    ->whereHas('stocks', function ($query) use ($workspace) {
        $query->where('workspace_id', $workspace->id)
              ->where('quantity', '>', 0);
    })
    ->get();
2

Select Product

Choose the product to transfer.The system displays:
  • Product name and SKU
  • Current stock level at source workspace
  • Product image (if available)
You can initiate a transfer from the product detail page by clicking “Transfer Stock” which pre-fills the product selection.
3

Enter Transfer Details

Configure the transfer:Source Workspace: Auto-filled with your current workspaceDestination Workspace: Select from workspaces you have access to
  • Only workspaces other than the current one are shown
  • System validates you have access to the selected workspace
Quantity: Enter quantity to transfer
  • Must be greater than 0
  • Cannot exceed available stock at source
  • System shows available quantity for validation
Reference Number (Optional): Custom reference for tracking
  • Auto-generated if not provided: TRANSFERENCIA-{from}-{to}-{timestamp}
Notes (Optional): Transfer reason or additional information
// Validation in StockTransferAction
if ($data['quantity'] <= 0) {
    throw new ReportableActionException(
        'La cantidad a transferir debe ser mayor que cero.'
    );
}
4

Review Transfer Summary

Before confirming, review:
  • Product being transferred
  • From workspace → To workspace
  • Quantity
  • New stock levels after transfer:
    • Source workspace: Current - Transfer quantity
    • Destination workspace: Current + Transfer quantity
5

Submit Transfer

Click Transfer Stock to execute.Reference: StockTransferAction::handle() in app/Actions/StockTransferAction.php:24The system performs these operations in a database transaction:
DB::transaction(function () {
    // 1. Get source stock record
    $fromStock = ProductStock::where([
        'product_id' => $product->id,
        'workspace_id' => $fromWorkspace->id,
    ])->first();
    
    // 2. Validate sufficient stock
    if ($fromStock->quantity < $data['quantity']) {
        throw new ReportableActionException("Insufficient stock");
    }
    
    // 3. Deduct from source
    $fromStock->quantity -= $data['quantity'];
    $fromStock->save();
    
    // 4. Add to destination (create if not exists)
    $toStock = ProductStock::firstOrCreate([...]);
    $toStock->quantity += $data['quantity'];
    $toStock->save();
    
    // 5. Create stock movement record
    StockMovement::create([
        'type' => StockMovementType::TRANSFER_OUT,
        'from_workspace_id' => $fromWorkspace->id,
        'to_workspace_id' => $toWorkspace->id,
        'reference_number' => $reference,
        // ...
    ]);
});
6

View Transfer Confirmation

After successful transfer:
  • Confirmation message displays
  • Automatic redirect to transfer detail page
  • Updated stock levels shown
  • Transfer reference number provided

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Stock Movement Records

Each transfer creates stock movement records:

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Transfer Out Movement

Created at the source workspace: 
StockMovement::create([
    'workspace_id' => $fromWorkspace->id,
    'product_id' => $product->id,
    'type' => StockMovementType::TRANSFER_OUT,
    'quantity' => $transferQuantity,
    'from_workspace_id' => $fromWorkspace->id,
    'to_workspace_id' => $toWorkspace->id,
    'reference_number' => $reference,
    'note' => "Transferido desde {$fromWorkspace->name} hacia {$toWorkspace->name}",
    'user_id' => Auth::id(),
]);

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Viewing Transfer Details

  1. Navigate to Inventory → Stock Transfers
  2. Click on a transfer to view details
Transfer detail page shows:
  • Product information
  • Source and destination workspaces
  • Quantity transferred
  • Reference number
  • Date and time of transfer
  • User who performed the transfer
  • Transfer notes
  • Stock levels before and after
Reference: StockTransferController::show() in app/Http/Controllers/StockTransferController.php:89

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Transfer History

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Viewing All Transfers

Navigate to Inventory → Stock Transfers for a paginated list. Filtering options:
  • Date range
  • Product
  • Source workspace
  • Destination workspace
  • Transfer status
  • User who created transfer
Reference: StockTransfersTable::make() provides table with filtering

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Transfer Types in List

The transfer list shows movements where the current workspace is either:
  • Source (TRANSFER_OUT): Stock you sent to other locations
  • Destination (TRANSFER_IN): Stock you received from other locations
// Query in StockTransferController::index
StockMovement::query()
    ->whereIn('type', StockTransfersTable::transferTypes())
    ->where(function ($query) use ($workspace) {
        $query->where('from_workspace_id', $workspace->id)
              ->orWhere('to_workspace_id', $workspace->id);
    });

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Access Control and Permissions

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Workspace Access Validation

The system validates workspace access before allowing transfers: 
// From StockTransferAction::handle()
if (! $user->workspaces()->whereIn('workspaces.id', [$fromWorkspace->id, $toWorkspace->id])->count() === 2) {
    throw new ReportableActionException(
        'El usuario no tiene acceso a ambas ubicaciones de trabajo para realizar la transferencia.'
    );
}
You must have access to BOTH the source and destination workspaces to perform a transfer. Contact your administrator if you need access to additional workspaces.

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Permission Requirements

  • inventory:view - View stock transfers
  • inventory:transfer - Create stock transfers
  • Access to source workspace
  • Access to destination workspace

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Common Transfer Scenarios

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Scenario 1: Restocking a Retail Location

Situation: Central warehouse needs to send stock to a retail store
1

Switch to Warehouse Workspace

Ensure you’re in the warehouse workspace context
2

Create Transfer

  • Product: Select items to restock
  • Destination: Retail store workspace
  • Quantity: Amount needed
3

Execute Transfer

Stock immediately updates at both locations

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Scenario 2: Balancing Stock Between Stores

Situation: Store A has excess inventory, Store B is low
1

Navigate from Store A

Switch to Store A workspace
2

Transfer to Store B

  • Select overstocked product
  • Destination: Store B
  • Quantity: Excess amount

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Scenario 3: Returns to Warehouse

Situation: Returning damaged or unsold items to central warehouse
1

From Store Workspace

Initiate transfer from store
2

Transfer to Warehouse

  • Product: Items being returned
  • Destination: Warehouse
  • Notes: Add reason (“Damaged”, “Seasonal return”, etc.)

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Validation and Error Handling

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Insufficient Stock Error

Error Message: “No hay suficiente stock en la ubicación de trabajo de origen” Cause: Trying to transfer more than available at source Solution:
  1. Check current stock level at source workspace
  2. Adjust transfer quantity
  3. Or perform stock adjustment if system quantity is incorrect

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Same Workspace Error

Error Message: “No se puede transferir stock a la misma ubicación de trabajo” Cause: Source and destination workspaces are the same Solution: Select a different destination workspace

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No Access to Workspace Error

Error Message: “El usuario no tiene acceso a ambas ubicaciones” Cause: Missing access to source or destination workspace Solution:
  1. Contact administrator to grant workspace access
  2. Or have someone with access to both workspaces perform the transfer

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Product Not Trackable Error

Error Message: “No se puede transferir stock de un producto que no tiene el seguimiento de inventario habilitado” Cause: Product has track_stock = false Solution:
  1. Edit the product
  2. Enable “Track Stock”
  3. Set initial stock levels
  4. Then perform transfer

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Transfer Reporting

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Transfer Activity Report

View transfer patterns and activity:
  1. Navigate to Reports → Inventory Reports → Transfer Activity
  2. Select date range
  3. View:
    • Most transferred products
    • Transfers by workspace pair
    • Transfer frequency
    • Average transfer quantities

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Audit Trail

All transfers include complete audit information:
  • Who performed the transfer (user_id)
  • When it occurred (created_at)
  • Reference number for tracking
  • Notes explaining the transfer reason
Reference: StockMovement model with createdBy relationship 
public function createdBy(): BelongsTo
{
    return $this->belongsTo(User::class, 'user_id');
}

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Best Practices

Use Reference Numbers: Always add meaningful reference numbers (PO numbers, transfer request IDs) for easier tracking.
Add Notes: Document the reason for transfers (“Seasonal restock”, “Balancing inventory”, “Customer request”) for better reporting.
Verify Before Transfer: Double-check source stock levels before initiating large transfers to avoid errors.
Regular Reconciliation: Periodically review transfer history to ensure all transfers were completed correctly.
Batch Similar Transfers: If transferring multiple products between the same workspaces, consider using bulk transfer features (if available) for efficiency.

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Integration with Other Features

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Transfer After Sales Analysis

Transfers can be triggered by:
  • Sales reports showing low stock at one location
  • High demand analysis at specific workspaces
  • Seasonal inventory rebalancing

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Transfer Before Stock Takes

Best practice before physical inventory counts:
  1. Complete all pending transfers
  2. Ensure all transfers are recorded in the system
  3. Then perform stock count
This ensures accurate count reconciliation.

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Troubleshooting

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Transfer Appears in One Workspace Only

Problem: Transfer shows at source but not destination Investigation:
  1. Check stock movement records for both TRANSFER_OUT and TRANSFER_IN
  2. Verify reference numbers match
  3. Check ProductStock records at both workspaces
Solution: If data is incomplete, contact support or create manual stock adjustment.

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Cannot Find Transfer in History

Problem: Transfer was completed but doesn’t appear in list Solution:
  1. Ensure you’re filtering correctly (check date range)
  2. Switch workspace context to source or destination
  3. Search by reference number
  4. Check user filters (if transfer was by another user)

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