Summary
The Buy To Order settings screen controls a few small settings about how the Buy To Order Order Policy does its work.
It is accessible by going to Admin --> System Configuration --> Buy To Order Settings
Column Description
Include Dependent Forecast - This determines whether or not the Buy To Order policy will respond to dependent forecast from spokes and/or assemblies. Usually you will want this turned on, so that any requirements from the spokes are incorporated into the order suggestions for your item.
Buy To Order Mode - This controls when StockIQ will suggest an order in response to a firm demand. Normally, StockIQ will defer scheduling the PO for your item until just before lead time. This has the effect of keeping the item in inventory (and on the books) for as short a time as possible. For example, say it is January 1st, and a customer has placed a future dated order for March 1st, and your lead time is 30 days.
If your mode is set to "Lead Time", then StockIQ will defer ordering until around Feburary 1st, aka around your 30 days lead time from the customer required date. So, the product will arrive approximately in time to be shipped back out the customer.
Conversely, if you set this to "Immediate", then StockIQ will suggest you create the PO immediately, regardless of how far out into the future the due date on the customer order is.