On-Time In-Full (OTIF)
Definition
OTIF measures the percentage of orders delivered both on the promised date and with the complete ordered quantity. An order must pass both tests to count, making OTIF a strict combined measure of delivery service.
In Practice
OTIF is computed as orders delivered on time and in full divided by total orders, though definitions vary: some customers measure against the requested date, others the confirmed date; some measure at line level, others at order level; and delivery windows may be a day or a two-hour appointment. Knowing exactly how each customer scores you is half the job.
The metric matters because large retailers enforce it with money. Compliance programs fine suppliers a percentage of invoice value for misses, so a point of OTIF can be worth real margin. Because it is a compound metric, fixing it means decomposing failures: late pickups, carrier transit misses, warehouse shorts, and appointment scheduling problems each need different owners.
For example, a supplier shipping to a retailer with an 85 percent OTIF threshold and a 3 percent fine on non-compliant cases builds a weekly scorecard tracing every failed order to its root cause.
Related Calculators
Related Terms
Transit time is the elapsed time between a shipment leaving its origin and arriving at its destination. It is a core component of total lead time and a key input to inventory and delivery planning.
Proof of DeliveryProof of delivery (POD) is the documentation confirming a shipment was received at destination, traditionally a signed delivery receipt and increasingly an electronic signature, photo, or GPS-stamped scan. It establishes when, where, and in what condition goods were delivered.
Dock SchedulingDock scheduling is the practice of assigning inbound and outbound trailers to specific dock doors and time slots, usually through an appointment system. It smooths workload at the warehouse and reduces carrier waiting time.
CarrierA carrier is a company that physically transports freight, such as a trucking company, ocean line, airline, or railroad. Carriers contrast with intermediaries like brokers and forwarders, who arrange transport but do not operate the equipment.