This guide explains how your dispensary team can receive, prepare, and complete Order Ahead requests using Flowhub’s Order Ahead feature. Order Ahead enables customers to place online pickup orders through your integrated Ecomm platform, helping your team manage fulfillment efficiently.
Watch the video below to learn how to manage your order-ahead orders:
Navigate to Order Ahead
Select Cashier from the main navigation.
Select Order Ahead at the top of the screen.
When a new order arrives, a notification sound plays and a badge count updates on the Order Ahead tab.
💡 Tip: Keep the Order Ahead screen open during peak hours to respond to new orders quickly.
Understand Order Status Columns & Filters
Your Order Ahead status board has three main stages (more statuses will be shown if you are offering delivery):
New – Orders just received from the Ecomm platform.
In Progress – Orders are being picked and packed by a team member.
Ready – Orders are complete and ready for customer pickup.
Every order also shows a colored status dot indicating how long it’s been waiting:
Green: Less than 1 hour
Yellow: 1–2.99 hours
Red: 3+ hours
Orders placed in a variety of ways will appear on the Order Ahead tab, including:
Flowhub Ecommerce or any other 3rd party Ecommerce connected via API
Kiosk
Delivery
Walk-Ins (if using a fulfillment workflow)
Lounge
Prepare an Order
Select an order in the New column to open the cart.
The order automatically moves to In Progress and assigns your name as the fulfiller.
Confirm the package ID for each item to reserve compliant inventory.
Add any additional items the customer requested, if applicable.
Apply discounts or print exit labels as needed.
Select Notify Customer that Order is Ready.
The order moves to Ready, and a notification is sent to the customer depending on how the customer placed the order.
Check In the Customer and Complete Pickup
Check the customer into the Cashier queue at the register or via the Greet app.
Match the customer to their Order Ahead order.
If the customer who has been checked in is not matched with an order-ahead order, the Pickup button in the queue will remain empty.
Match the profile to an order by selecting Pickup > find the name for the Pickup Order > Select Match
If the customer who was checked in has an order that has been matched with them, the Pickup button in the queue will be filled in. This will happen automatically if the information the customer entered to place their order matches the information in their customer profile in Flowhub.
Review the cart and add last-minute items if needed.
Select Collect Payment to complete the sale.
Once payment is complete, the order clears from the Order Ahead board.
Cancel or Create Pickup Orders Manually
Cancel an Order
Select the order → open the three-dot menu → select Cancel Order.
Create a Manual Pickup Order
Navigate to Cashier > Order Ahead
In Order Ahead, select New Order above the Ready column.
Search for and select the customer.
Select Create Pickup Order.
Add items to the cart.
Select Notify Customer that Order is Ready when complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a customer profile already exists?
The system automatically attempts to match profiles using the name, date of birth, state, phone number, or ID number. You can manually match profiles if needed.
Can I add items to an Order Ahead order at pickup?
Yes. You can add items to the cart before collecting payment.
Does Order Ahead reserve inventory automatically?
Yes, inventory is reserved once an online order is placed.
Great work! 🥳
You’re now ready to manage Order Ahead pickup orders smoothly and keep your dispensary running efficiently.