What's the difference between an emergency stock transfer and a "via" transfer?

Both involve moving inventory between distribution centres, but they are triggered differently. An emergency stock transfer is initiated manually by a planner when one warehouse runs short of inventory and another has available stock. A via transfer, by contrast, is triggered automatically by a customer order. If the customer's assigned distribution centre cannot fulfil the order, it is redirected to a neighbouring warehouse, which ships the product directly. Both mechanisms generate additional transportation costs and should therefore be optimised carefully. An advanced planning platform helps by identifying transfer opportunities before shortages become critical, reducing unnecessary emergency movements while maintaining service levels.