Procurement Glossary
Partial delivery/remaining quantity: Flexible delivery processing in procurement management
November 19, 2025
Partial delivery/remaining quantity refers to the division of an order into several separate deliveries, whereby available quantities are delivered first and missing quantities are delivered later. This practice enables companies to maintain their production and flexibly bridge supply bottlenecks. Find out below what partial delivery/remaining quantity means, which methods are used and how you can successfully manage risks.
Key Facts
- Enables continuous production despite supply bottlenecks
- Reduces capital commitment through staggered deliveries of goods
- Requires precise documentation and tracking of open quantities
- May cause additional logistics costs due to multiple deliveries
- Important instrument for making the supply chain more flexible
Contents
Definition: Partial delivery/remaining quantity - importance in Procurement
Partial delivery/remaining quantity describes a delivery procedure in which a total quantity originally ordered is processed in several separate shipments.
Basic features and delimitation
A partial delivery exists if the supplier can only deliver part of the ordered quantity on the agreed date. The remaining quantity will be delivered at a later date. This differs from planned delivery call-offs, which are scheduled from the outset.
- Unplanned allocation due to availability problems
- Separate delivery bills and invoicing possible
- Documentation of open residual quantities required
Partial delivery vs. complete delivery
While complete deliveries process the entire order in one shipment, partial deliveries offer more flexibility in the event of delivery bottlenecks. This makes goods receipt more complex, as several receipts have to be managed.
Importance of partial delivery/remaining quantity in Procurement
In strategic Procurement , partial delivery serves as a risk minimization tool. It makes it possible to maintain critical production processes and at the same time increase the flexibility of the supply chain without having to cancel orders completely.
Methods and procedures
The successful handling of partial deliveries requires structured processes and clear agreements between Procurement and suppliers.
Contract design and agreements
Regulations for partial deliveries should be defined at the contract design stage. This includes minimum delivery quantities, tolerance ranges and cost allocation for additional transportation costs.
- Definition of minimum delivery quantities per partial consignment
- Agreement of delivery tolerances and subsequent delivery deadlines
- Regulation of cost allocation for multiple transports
Documentation and tracking
A complete document check is essential for the management of remaining quantities. Modern ERP systems support the automatic recording and monitoring of open items.
- Separate recording of each partial delivery in the system
- Automatic calculation and display of remaining quantities
- Deadline monitoring for outstanding subsequent deliveries
Communication and escalation
Defined escalation processes should be in place for critical remaining quantities. Regular coordination with suppliers and internal stakeholders ensures transparent communication about delivery status and expected subsequent delivery dates.
Tacto Intelligence
Combines deep procurement knowledge with the most powerful AI agents for strong Procurement.
Key figures for controlling partial deliveries/remaining quantities
Systematic measurement and evaluation of partial deliveries enables continuous optimization of procurement processes.
Delivery performance key figures
The partial delivery rate measures the proportion of incomplete deliveries in relation to the total number of orders. A low rate indicates reliable suppliers, while high values signal a need for optimization.
- Partial delivery rate = (number of partial deliveries / total number of orders) × 100
- Average subsequent delivery time for remaining quantities
- Degree of completeness on first delivery
Cost analysis and efficiency
The additional costs due to partial deliveries are determined by comparing the actual logistics costs with the costs of a complete delivery. These purchasing figures are included in the supplier evaluation.
Process quality and compliance
The remaining quantity tracking rate measures how completely open items are documented and tracked. High values indicate efficient processes and reduce the risk of forgotten subsequent deliveries or duplicate orders when requisitions are made.
Risk factors and controls for partial deliveries/remaining quantities
Partial deliveries entail specific risks that can be minimized through suitable control mechanisms and preventive measures.
Operational risks and cost traps
Multiple deliveries cause additional logistics costs and increase administrative effort. Incomplete deliveries can cause production downtime if critical components are missing.
- Increased transportation costs due to multiple deliveries
- Additional administrative effort for residual quantity tracking
- Risk of production interruptions for critical parts
Quality and compliance risks
With staggered deliveries, quality differences can occur between the batches. Goods receipt with QA inspection becomes more complex as each partial delivery must be inspected separately.
Contractual protection
Unclear agreements on partial deliveries can lead to legal disputes. Precise contractual clauses and documented complaint reports in the event of delivery delays create legal certainty and enable appropriate responses to breaches of contract.
.avif)
Practical example
An automotive supplier orders 10,000 screws for series production. Due to a machine breakdown, the supplier can only deliver 6,000 on the agreed date. The remaining quantity of 4,000 screws is announced for the following week. The company accepts the partial delivery as the available quantity is sufficient for three days of production.
- Immediate entry of the partial delivery in the ERP system
- Automatic creation of a repeat order for the remaining quantity
- Deadline monitoring and escalation in the event of a delay in subsequent delivery
Current developments and effects
Digitalization and changing market conditions have a significant impact on the handling of partial deliveries and residual quantities.
Digital transparency and tracking
Modern track-and-trace systems enable real-time monitoring of partial deliveries. IoT sensors and digital delivery bills create complete transparency regarding the status of remaining quantities and expected subsequent delivery dates.
- Automatic notifications in the event of delivery delays
- Real-time dashboard for open remaining quantities
- Integration into supply chain management systems
AI-supported forecasts and optimization
Artificial intelligence analyzes historical delivery data and predicts probabilities for partial deliveries. Machine learning algorithms optimize order quantities and times in order to minimize the risk of remaining quantities.
Sustainability aspects
Environmental awareness leads to critical consideration of multiple shipments for partial deliveries. Companies are developing strategies to consolidate shipments and prefer suppliers with sustainable logistics concepts for order processing.
Conclusion
Partial delivery/remaining quantity is an important flexibility tool in modern procurement management. Structured processes and clear agreements allow the benefits to be exploited while minimizing risks. Digitalization offers new opportunities for transparent tracking and optimized management of partial deliveries. Successful companies are strategically integrating these practices into their supply chain.
FAQ
What is the difference between partial delivery and call-off delivery?
Partial deliveries occur unplanned due to supply bottlenecks, while call-off deliveries are scheduled and planned from the outset. In the case of partial deliveries, an originally complete order is split up, while in the case of call-offs, delivery is made according to predefined schedules.
When should partial deliveries be accepted?
Partial deliveries make sense if the quantity delivered is sufficient to avoid production downtimes and subsequent deliveries are made promptly. The decision depends on the criticality of the items and available stocks.
How are additional costs for partial deliveries handled?
Additional transportation costs due to partial deliveries shall generally be borne by the supplier, if contractually agreed. In the event of force majeure or at the customer's request, the additional costs may also be borne by the customer.
What legal aspects need to be considered for partial deliveries?
Partial deliveries must be contractually agreed or accepted by the purchaser. In the absence of a corresponding agreement, the buyer may demand complete delivery or withdraw from the contract in the event of significant delays.
.png)
.png)
.png)
