Compare the operating models
In this fictional example, customer A asks staff to contact them monthly about tea. Customer B buys a supplied three-month plan with one tea delivery each month and a defined renewal decision. A’s next purchase is undecided; B’s plan already defines future cycles.
| Business requirement | Repeat-order arrangement | Subscription plan |
|---|---|---|
| Authority for next delivery | New order decision | Existing supplied plan cycle |
| Core record | Contact reminder and order history | Plan term, included supply and cycle |
| Customer declines next month | No new order created | Handle under supplied plan terms |
Work through the chosen model
Keep A’s reminder separate from any new sales order. For B, keep plan identity, start/end, included item/quantity, delivery schedule and renewal choice. Each fulfilment still needs its own shipment record.
- Establish whether future supply is agreed
- Create reminder or plan
- Record each actual delivery
Reminders suit optional repeat purchases. Plans make future supplied scope explicit but need renewal and cycle administration. Frequency alone does not decide the commercial model.
A has one reminder and no committed new order. B has one plan and three planned deliveries, with actual shipment status recorded per cycle. Neither should appear as three completed deliveries on creation.
When the other model fits
A later agrees all three monthly deliveries up front. Should the reminder-only model be reviewed?
Show the worked answer
Yes. Record the newly agreed schedule/plan instead of leaving future obligations implied in a staff note.