Delivery Window
A delivery window is a predefined time range, typically measured in hours or days, during which a shipment is expected or required to arrive at a destination. In supply chain and manufacturing, it represents the acceptable arrival interval used by receivers, carriers, and planners to coordinate dock appointments, labor, and inventory availability.
On a manufacturing shop floor or in a warehouse, a delivery window determines when an inbound trailer can be processed. Dock schedules are built around appointment slots such as 8:00–10:00 AM, letting the facility reserve doors, forklifts, staging space, and quality inspectors for the arrival. When the window is set correctly, raw materials move from trailer to put-away or kitting without disrupting line-side replenishment. The ERP may show a purchase order as due, but the material is not usable until the truck arrives within the agreed interval and passes receiving checks. Procurement and production control use the window to predict when stock will truly be available. In supplier programs, the window is tied to OTIF compliance; a load that arrives too early or late can trigger rescheduling, penalties, or receiving exceptions. This reduces uncertainty in min-max planning and order promising because availability aligns with a realistic arrival interval.
How is a delivery window different from ETA?
A delivery window is a range of acceptable arrival time, while an ETA is a point estimate. Windows are used for operational acceptance and scheduling; ETAs serve as forecasting signals.
Why do TMS and WMS systems care about delivery windows?
TMS uses windows to route and sequence arrivals against appointment capacity, while WMS uses them to allocate dock doors, labor, and staging space for inbound receipts.
What is the risk of using a delivery window in OTIF measurement?
If the receiver’s window is misconfigured, a shipment can be operationally usable but still count as late or early for compliance, creating false penalties and distorted supplier performance metrics.