Each sales order can be placed in to a state. The state indicates where in the order fulfilment process the order is. For example, a typical flow of sales order states is:
Orders are moved through each state along the order fulfilment process.
One or more states can be designated as complete. Orders placed in a complete state are consider finished and no further processing is required on these orders.
If an order is in a hold state it cannot be invoiced, delivery noted or placed in the checkout area.
In order to continue processing the sale, it must be moved into a non hold state.
A typical use of hold states is a Credit hold state where an order is held until payment for the goods are received.
State transition will not work for order in a hold state.
All orders must enter and exit all states marked as mandatory. Orders are checked for entering and exiting all mandatory state just before invoices and delivery notes are created. Mandatory states only useful in a very small number of use cases, they place an additional burden on order processing.
State transitions will not work for orders in a mandatory state.
Some events can be set to move a sale into a particular state. From the main menu select Settings, Configuration, Sales States.
From the states dialog select the Transitions tab.
For example, setting the On Checkout drop down to Ready to Pick will set the sales to the state Ready to Pick when the sales is put in the checkout area.
Automated state transitions will not work on order that are in hold or mandatory states. i.e. Order placed in to a hold stay “on hold”“ and must be manually moved to the next state.