# Sales Order Status Problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Uncategorized\ **Created:** [October 29, 2021, 8:18am UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/sales-order-status-problem/37689 "2021-10-29T08:18:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![compuit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.manager.io/compuit/32/66_2.png) [@compuit](https://forum.manager.io/u/compuit)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2021, 8:18am UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/sales-order-status-problem/37689/1 "2021-10-29T08:18:14Z")
Linux Server version 21.10.30 When a Sales Order is converted to a Sales Invoice and 1. the user inputs the customer supplied Purchase Order (PO) number when completing the Sales Invoice 2. We find the Sales Order (SO) Status remains “ **Uninvoiced** ”. It appears that if the SO number which automatically becomes the Purchase Order (PO) number in the Sales Invoice (SI) screen is remove from **the invoice** the SO remains in the **Uninvoiced** state (Red). ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/manager1/original/3X/c/6/c6727697daf1061457c6af5ea5b6d25d38891f0a.png) So only once the X is clicked to remove the automatically generated Order Number can we enter the customer’s supplied PO Number in the field above it. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/manager1/original/3X/d/4/d4cf8c17e9ce737289215394e1bef24b40362cc1.png) End result: ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/manager1/original/3X/f/5/f562147eba5c9cbfacc681f7a5edecb57e09f2a5.png) The Problem: ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/manager1/original/3X/9/a/9ae9aa3aa3310b61e74e1b38293e6ca52451f32c.png) 1. Management now have a lot of unvoiced SOs which may or may not be invoiced. 2. This causes concern that work is not being completed or processed. 3. A lot of additional clicking as our Invoices must include the customers PO Number when going out. 4. The automatically generated SO number should not have to be removed from the Sales Invoice (SI) for the Sales Invoice to be populated with the Customers supplied PO. 5. If the automatically generated SO number remained in tact the SO will move to the Invoice status. Requirement: 1. Please can the second PO field be available the user when a SO is copied to a SI. 2. Please can the second PO field **if populated** remain to be the PO on the viewed and printed SI 3. Please can the SO change to the Invoiced status when the copy to SI is processed and updated with a customer supplied PO. ---
**Author:** ![sharpdrivetek](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.manager.io/sharpdrivetek/32/34244_2.png) [@sharpdrivetek](https://forum.manager.io/u/sharpdrivetek)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2021, 9:00am UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/sales-order-status-problem/37689/2 "2021-10-29T09:00:08Z")
> [@compuit](#): > > the SO number which automatically becomes the Purchase Order (PO) number in the Sales Invoice (SI) screen it is nowhere stated that the Sales Order reference becomes the Purchase order reference of your customer. they are both different. the issue is because you are following a wrong process flow. you are issuing a Sales Order initially instead of issuing a Sales Quote. the correct process flow should be as below. 1. issue Sales Quote. 2. receive Purchase Order. 3. enter Sales Order. 4. issue Sales Invoice. a Sales Order is usually entered only after receiving the Purchase Order from your customer. so the issue can be solved if you create your Sales Order with the reference matching your received Purchase Order. it is not mandatory to match your Sales Order reference to the received Purchase Order because both are independent documents of the respective business. you can issue your sales order with any reference of your choice and just mention the customer PO number anywhere on the sales invoice in the Description field or as a custom field. ---
**Author:** ![compuit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.manager.io/compuit/32/66_2.png) [@compuit](https://forum.manager.io/u/compuit)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2021, 9:20am UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/sales-order-status-problem/37689/3 "2021-10-29T09:20:58Z")
> [@sharpdrivetek](#): > > it is nowhere stated that the Sales Order reference becomes the Purchase order reference of your customer. they are both different. See what happens when SO Number is automatically generated - It becomes the Order Number on the SI the issue is because you are following a wrong process flow. you are issuing a Sales Order initially instead of issuing a Sales Quote. Why create a Sales Quote (SQ) when the Customer does not what a SQ? Another waste of time. the correct process flow should be as below. - It is not about process but about the Customer Requesting his PO on our generated Sales Invoices. Sales Order is usually entered only after receiving the Purchase Order from your customer. - Correct that is exactly the situation. issue can be solved if you create your Sales Order with the reference matching your received Purchase Order. - Yes to the Correct PO being displayed on SI as demonstrated but No because we lose our internal SO referencing and SO ends up in the not **Invoiced State** which is the reason for this post and demonstrated. ---
**Author:** ![sharpdrivetek](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.manager.io/sharpdrivetek/32/34244_2.png) [@sharpdrivetek](https://forum.manager.io/u/sharpdrivetek)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2021, 9:37am UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/sales-order-status-problem/37689/4 "2021-10-29T09:37:27Z")
so why not create a custom field in your Sales Order and Sales Invoice with matching labels? enter the customer PO number in this custom field when creating your sales order and this will automatically be copied over to the custom field in your Sales Invoice. positioning of this custom field can be achieved by following this [guide](https://www.manager.io/guides/17100). ---
**Author:** ![compuit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.manager.io/compuit/32/66_2.png) [@compuit](https://forum.manager.io/u/compuit)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2021, 9:47am UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/sales-order-status-problem/37689/5 "2021-10-29T09:47:12Z")
The Sale Order Status should not be affected this way when inputting a Customer PO and the Sales Order Reference should be maintained as an in house internal document reference. ---
**Author:** ![sharpdrivetek](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.manager.io/sharpdrivetek/32/34244_2.png) [@sharpdrivetek](https://forum.manager.io/u/sharpdrivetek)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2021, 9:51am UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/sales-order-status-problem/37689/6 "2021-10-29T09:51:52Z")
the suggestion was to use the existing reference field for your internal documentation and create a custom field to record external reference number (received PO). this will not affect the intended workflow of Manager. ---
**Author:** ![compuit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.manager.io/compuit/32/66_2.png) [@compuit](https://forum.manager.io/u/compuit)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2021, 9:59am UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/sales-order-status-problem/37689/7 "2021-10-29T09:59:06Z")
Thank you for your input but the trouble with your suggestion that is that it puts two PO numbers on the Sales Invoice. I really think this will confuse the customer and I am not in that type of business. ---
**Author:** ![sharpdrivetek](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.manager.io/sharpdrivetek/32/34244_2.png) [@sharpdrivetek](https://forum.manager.io/u/sharpdrivetek)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2021, 10:06am UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/sales-order-status-problem/37689/8 "2021-10-29T10:06:20Z")
you can rename the fields accordingly or suppress data displayed on document with a custom theme. ---
**Author:** ![compuit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.manager.io/compuit/32/66_2.png) [@compuit](https://forum.manager.io/u/compuit)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2021, 8:11pm UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/sales-order-status-problem/37689/9 "2021-10-29T20:11:32Z")
The underlying problem should be fixed where SO converted to SI should reflect **Invoiced** (green). ---
**Author:** ![Tut](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.manager.io/tut/32/3286_2.png) [@Tut](https://forum.manager.io/u/Tut)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2021, 8:20pm UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/sales-order-status-problem/37689/10 "2021-10-29T20:20:26Z")
That is what already happens, @compuit. This entire topic seems to be about a problem that does not exist. ---
**Author:** ![compuit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.manager.io/compuit/32/66_2.png) [@compuit](https://forum.manager.io/u/compuit)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2021, 8:54pm UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/sales-order-status-problem/37689/11 "2021-10-29T20:54:52Z")
You obviously have taken the time to read the post. ---
**Author:** ![Tut](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.manager.io/tut/32/3286_2.png) [@Tut](https://forum.manager.io/u/Tut)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2021, 9:04pm UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/sales-order-status-problem/37689/12 "2021-10-29T21:04:23Z")
@compuit, I suspect you are actually accusing me of **not** reading the posts. Let me assure you I did—all of the entire thread. As @sharpdrivetek responded so well, what you claim is a problem is the program acting as it should. You are using Manager incorrectly and assuming it will conform to your expectations. On the other hand, if you meant to compliment me for taking time to read the thread, thank you. ---
**Author:** ![compuit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.manager.io/compuit/32/66_2.png) [@compuit](https://forum.manager.io/u/compuit)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2021, 1:12am UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/sales-order-status-problem/37689/13 "2021-10-30T01:12:23Z")
OK I see what is happening the Sales Order (SO) _reference Number_ **magically changes name** in the Sales Invoice (SI) to become the Purchase Order number in the Sales Invoice (SI). This should not be so as the SO reference number is for **Internal business reference** and documents **not for external Sale Invoice documents** aimed at customers. This raises another question. What is the reasoning behind The Sales Order (SO) number and the Customers Purchase Order (PO) number magically becoming the same thing on the Sales Invoice (SI)? Is this what you mean by a problem that does not exist? Tut, do you also follow “the correct process” as laid out by [sharpdrivetek](https://forum.manager.io/u/sharpdrivetek) ? 1. issue Sales Quote. 2. receive Purchase Order. 3. enter Sales Order. 4. issue Sales Invoice. However to stick to topic rather than saying > [@Tut](#): > > This entire topic seems to be about a problem that does not exist. _The underlying problem should be fixed where if a **Sale Order** (SO) is **copied** to a **Sales Invoice** (SI) and updated the **Sales Order** (SO) should reflect **Invoiced** (green)._ This will ensure and give confidence that any unvoiced SOs are in fact uninvoiced. This is a very simple indicator which is not working in all cases but is fiercely defended and then made non existent? ---
**Author:** ![Tut](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.manager.io/tut/32/3286_2.png) [@Tut](https://forum.manager.io/u/Tut)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2021, 1:52am UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/sales-order-status-problem/37689/14 "2021-10-30T01:52:30Z")
> [@compuit](#): > > Sales Order (SO) _reference Number_ **magically changes name** in the Sales Invoice (SI) to become the Purchase Order number in the Sales Invoice (SI). There is no magic, because what you describe **does not happen**. In fact, it cannot possibly happen, because the sales invoice form does not include a purchase order number. Any appearance of reference numbers in unexpected places is entirely due to incorrect entry by the user, not to actions by the program. > [@compuit](#): > > This should not be so as the SO reference number is for **Internal business reference** You are correct, and it is not so. > [@compuit](#): > > What is the reasoning behind The Sales Order (SO) number and the Customers Purchase Order (PO) number magically becoming the same thing on the Sales Invoice (SI)? > Is this what you mean by a problem that does not exist? There is no reasoning, because it does not happen. And yes, that is what I meant by a problem that does not exist. > [@compuit](#): > > do you also follow “the correct process” as laid out by [sharpdrivetek](https://forum.manager.io/u/sharpdrivetek) ? I would if I used all those tabs in a particular business. As it happens, I do not use all those tabs in any given business. But for tabs in use in a specific business, I follow the numerical order @sharpdrivetek listed. > [@compuit](#): > > The underlying problem should be fixed where if a **Sale Order** (SO) is **copied** to a **Sales Invoice** (SI) and updated the **Sales Order** (SO) should reflect **Invoiced** (green). As I wrote previously, there is no problem to be fixed, because what you describe is exactly what happens. > [@compuit](#): > > This is a very simple indicator which is not working in all cases but is fiercely defended and then made non existent? I am sorry, but you are incorrect. It works as described in the Guide. ---
**Author:** ![compuit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.manager.io/compuit/32/66_2.png) [@compuit](https://forum.manager.io/u/compuit)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2021, 3:39am UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/sales-order-status-problem/37689/15 "2021-10-30T03:39:31Z")
OK so let us resort to pictures. Here is a SO generated with the automatically generated Reference Number 125 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/manager1/original/3X/7/1/718835d776a67d294bb0b547bc5dcdbf1b94b7ef.png) Here is the invoice as created with the copy to: New Sales Invoice function. Now note the automatically generated PO number / **Order number 125** which was / is the **SO reference number** is now in the Invoice 43 as an Order Number 125, what the heck these two numbers should be different (Magic … the Sales Order Reference is now an Order Number in the Sales Invoice) ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/manager1/original/3X/a/a/aa3d5f0545570377a8accd983b8d1381d844e40e.png) Now at this stage look back at the SO screen… OOooooh look SO 125 is GREEN - the report status is perfect. Loving it so far. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/manager1/original/3X/8/b/8b32c1a4bf2e2a69e582ab98746a2ddfde2671f5.png) Now check Invoice 43 again … Oh heck the Customer Purchase Order / Order number is incorrect! It should **ABC575757** not 125 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/manager1/original/3X/a/6/a6cc09901afac3ca97f5d3f589a65583a48c1052.png) OK we should be able to fix that … ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/manager1/original/3X/3/1/31d3ffb3ba5bdd43669c4b833476f7f142ddd99c.png) Aaarg no matches found… ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/manager1/original/3X/d/f/dff39ca4018f56427789b806e6ef7d5ed5583314.png) OK what now??.. there is an X in the Order Number field … there must be way we able to change and fix the issue … Yes, click the X oh wow look what happens! Exactly what is needed, a new Order number field pops up - Great! Perfect… we are back in business. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/manager1/original/3X/3/0/30954633c2cb5e88386f33616509a7f86dccda6a.png) Enter the customer’s PO / Order Number - Yes! ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/manager1/original/3X/5/2/52e5f49c03c9a2b7f11bf397be8bf11a2eb5793f.png) OK hit “Update” - Everything fine so far. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/manager1/original/3X/4/b/4b2e2d761bafa549c675a248c216b6dea1459815.png) Look at the Invoice … Perfect exactly what the customer demands, excellent the customer will pay now - Great I can eat for the next week. **JOB DONE** ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/manager1/original/3X/9/8/98af7e0fc7e9cc7c11edb9b1a16860bd0426cd40.png) Wait lets check the **SO 125** it was in the invoiced state after creating and updating - Correct? **Nooo** how the heck did that happen why did it change after creation it was invoiced now uninvoiced ??? ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/manager1/original/3X/3/d/3d4aaf8317916ec07d6993313b3d5bfa653fcfd6.png) **Our thoughts on the problem** 1. When entering the customer PO / Order number in **Sales Invoices** it must **not change / reverse** the status of the SO 2. The Customer PO Order number must not appear as a SO Reference in SOs 3. We should not have to enter a customer PO / Order Number as a SO reference in SOs in order for SO status to work. 4. If we enter a customer PO / Order number in SO it must not influence the internal SO reference numbering as the SO numbering is an internal document / business reference number. Hope the pictures helped. ---
**Author:** ![sharpdrivetek](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.manager.io/sharpdrivetek/32/34244_2.png) [@sharpdrivetek](https://forum.manager.io/u/sharpdrivetek)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2021, 4:51am UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/sales-order-status-problem/37689/16 "2021-10-30T04:51:18Z")
i think the issue is because Manager displays the default field for `Order number` when no order number has been selected against the customer. the default `Order number` field is useful for users who have not enabled the `Sales Orders` tab. so @lubos will need to disable the appearance of the default `Order number` field in `Sales Invoices` when the selected customer has sales orders irrespective of whether a user decides to show or remove the `Order number` in line with the customer name. ---
**Author:** ![sharpdrivetek](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.manager.io/sharpdrivetek/32/34244_2.png) [@sharpdrivetek](https://forum.manager.io/u/sharpdrivetek)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2021, 5:00am UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/sales-order-status-problem/37689/17 "2021-10-30T05:00:06Z")
@compuit your issue stems from the assumption that the `Order number` displayed in `Sales Invoices` is the purchase order number whereas it is not. nowhere in the Manager program you have a tab called _Received Purchase Orders_. you only have `Sales Orders` which is an internal document where a user can record the purchase orders received with or without a customer specific reference number. remember that purchase orders are not always approved documents from customers, they can also be a simple phone call or text message or email or whatever. so the `Sales Order` tab enables the business to record all these as orders received. and this is the Order number of the business, not the customer. if you keep using the `Order number` field to record the received purchase order reference, then the sales order status is always going to be _Uninvoiced_ because that is the intended correct way it was designed. Manager has no default field to enter the received purchase order but you can always enter it in a dedicated custom field. ---
**Author:** ![AJD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@AJD](https://forum.manager.io/u/AJD)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2021, 7:17am UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/sales-order-status-problem/37689/18 "2021-10-30T07:17:18Z")
It seems to me that the confusion is centred around the notion that a Sales Order is a completely internal document. Sure it is issued to the dispatch department as an authority for them to put together the order and arrange delivery to the customer, but if the customer has a query about the delivery or the invoice it has its place on the Sales Invoice (external document) for the customer to quote when making the query. I would suggest that a change in terminology should be used for the SO reference when it appears on the Sales Invoice. It should be referred to as “Our reference” because it is not an “order” in the eyes of the customer, it is only an order to the dispatch department. Once this terminology is changed on the Sales Invoice both the “Our reference” number and the (purchase) Order number can both appear on the Sales Invoice with no need to substitute one for the other. Also, as in other areas of Manager, these field do not need to appear on the printed Sales Invoice if they do not have a value. ---
**Author:** ![clive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@clive](https://forum.manager.io/u/clive)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2021, 7:21am UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/sales-order-status-problem/37689/19 "2021-10-30T07:21:37Z")
> [@compuit](#): > > Now check Invoice 43 again … Oh heck the Customer Purchase Order / Order number is incorrect! It should **ABC575757** not 125 Why do you think the Order Number should be anything different from the system-generated"125" ? ---
**Author:** ![AJD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@AJD](https://forum.manager.io/u/AJD)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2021, 7:27am UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/sales-order-status-problem/37689/20 "2021-10-30T07:27:40Z")
> [@clive](#): > > Why do you think the Order Number should be anything different from the system-generated"125" ? Because it is possible to have both a SO and a PO for the same transaction and it is ludicrous to think that if you have one on the invoice there is no place for the other. [Next page](https://forum.manager.io/t/sales-order-status-problem/37689.md?page=2)