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Explained: Order types and their stock movements

Order types define how details treats stock movements and whether invoices are generated automatically. Each order type represents a different kind of transaction between your Distribution Accounts and Stock Accounts.

You can choose the order type when creating a new order under DISTRIBUTION / ORDERS or when working directly from a Distribution Account.

► Overview of Order Types

The following table shows how each order type affects stock and invoicing. This helps you decide which type to use for a specific scenario.

Order Type Description Stock (Account) Stock (Stock Account) Invoice
Invoice Order Used for regular sales to clients or retailers. Creates an invoice automatically once accounted. Neutral Decreased Yes
Consignment Used when delivering goods on consignment. Stock is moved to the account but no invoice is created until items are sold or returned. Increased Decreased No
Return Credit Note Used for returns from customers. Increases stock in the warehouse and creates a credit note invoice for accounting. Neutral Increased Yes
Promo Order Used for promotional shipments such as giveaways or review copies. No invoice is created. Neutral Decreased No
Defects Used for damaged or defective products being removed from stock. Not invoiced and not credited. Neutral Decreased No
Price Adjustment Used to correct pricing on already delivered goods without physical stock changes. Neutral Neutral Yes

► Choosing the Correct Order Type

Selecting the correct order type ensures accurate stock tracking and accounting results. Use the following guidelines:

  • Invoice Order  For standard customer orders that require invoicing.
  • Consignment  For partner accounts that handle sales reports later (e.g. shops or distributors).
  • Return Credit Note  For returned goods from customers or partners.
  • Promo Order  For marketing or free sample shipments.
  • Defects  For defective products to be removed from stock.
  • Price Adjustment  For correcting previously invoiced prices without new shipments.

If you are unsure which order type to select, review your contract setup or ask your accounting team which type applies to your process.

► Account and Stock Account Behavior

Each order type affects the two sides of an order differently:

  • Account: Represents the client or customer receiving (or returning) goods. Some order types, such as Consignment, increase the account s stock level.
  • Stock Account: Represents your warehouse or physical stock source. It decreases when shipping products and increases when receiving returns.

This logic ensures that your warehouse and account stocks remain consistent and transparent at all times.

► Translations

For teams working in multiple languages, here s an overview of common translations for order types:

English German French
Invoice Order Rechnungsauftrag Commande facture
Consignment Kommissionsauftrag Commande en consignation
Return Credit Note Gutschrift Note de crdit
Promo Order Promoauftrag Commande promotionnelle
Defects Defekte Dfectueux
Price Adjustment Preisnderung Ajustement de prix

Understanding these order types helps you manage stock movements precisely and ensures that your distribution accounting remains consistent across all transactions.