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Sales order
View on WikipediaThe sales order, sometimes abbreviated as SO, is an order issued by a business or sole trader to a customer. A sales order may be for products and/or services. Given the wide variety of businesses, this means that the orders can be fulfilled in several ways. Broadly, the fulfillment modes, based on the relationship between the order receipt and production, are as follows:
- Digital copy – Where products are digital and inventory is maintained with a single digital master. Copies are made on demand in real time and instantly delivered to customers.
- Build to stock – Where products are built and stocked in anticipation of demand. Most products for the consumer would fall into this category
- Build to order – Where products are built based on orders received. This is most prevalent for custom parts where the designs are known beforehand.
- Configure-to-order – Where products are configured or assembled to meet unique customer requirements, e.g. computers
- Engineer to order – Where some amount of product design work is done after receiving the order
A sales order is an internal document of the company, meaning it is generated by the company itself. A sales order should record the customer's originating purchase order which is an external document. Rather than using the customer's purchase order document, an internal sales order form allows the internal audit control of completeness to be monitored. A sequential sales order number may be used by the company for its sales order documents. The customer's PO is the originating document which triggers the creation of the sales order. A sales order, being an internal document, can therefore contain many customer purchase orders under it. In a manufacturing environment, a sales order can be converted into a work order to show that work is about to begin to manufacture, build or engineer the products the customer wants.
Electronic sales order
[edit]Many sales orders are no longer paper-based, but rather transmitted electronically over a corporate Intranet. These sales orders may be communicated across different enterprise business applications. The automated sales and purchase order process enables customers to place orders 24/7, even when offices are closed.
Common types
[edit]- Sales quote
- Invoice
- Estimate
- Return order
- Product Number
- Rush Order
Customer order fulfillment
[edit]The steps involved in fulfilling the demands made in a sales order make up the order fulfillment process.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]Sales order
View on GrokipediaDefinition and Components
Definition
A sales order is a legally binding commercial document issued by a seller to a buyer, confirming the acceptance of a purchase order and detailing the specific goods or services, quantities, prices, and delivery terms agreed upon in the transaction.[3][4] This document serves as an internal record for the seller while also providing the buyer with written confirmation of the order, ensuring clarity and mutual understanding of the obligations.[1][5] Unlike a purchase order, which is initiated by the buyer as a request to acquire goods or services from the seller, a sales order represents the seller's formal confirmation and commitment to fulfill the request, thereby transforming the initial inquiry into a binding agreement.[5][3] In the broader sales cycle, the sales order acts as a critical bridge between the initial sales agreement and the fulfillment stages, minimizing potential disputes by documenting the terms of consent and facilitating seamless progression to production, shipping, and invoicing.[2][6]Key Components
A sales order typically comprises a header section containing foundational identifying and transactional details, a body detailing individual line items, and a footer summarizing financials and terms. The header includes the order number, which serves as a unique identifier for tracking; the order date, recording when the order was placed; customer details such as name, address, and contact information to specify the buyer; and seller details including the company's name, address, and relevant contact points for the transaction. Line items form the core of the document, providing a detailed breakdown of the products or services being ordered. Each line item generally includes a stock keeping unit (SKU) or product code for identification, a description of the item, the ordered quantity, and the unit price, from which a subtotal is calculated as quantity multiplied by unit price. Additional line-specific elements may include any applicable discounts or taxes per item to ensure accurate pricing. The footer aggregates the overall financials and outlines fulfillment conditions, featuring total pricing as the sum of all line item subtotals, plus any taxes, shipping costs, and net of discounts to arrive at the final amount due. It also specifies payment terms, such as net 30 days, shipping terms like FOB destination, and the expected delivery date to set expectations for completion. Provisions for attachments and notes allow inclusion of special instructions, warranties, or supporting documents such as prior quotes, enhancing clarity and legal binding. The following table illustrates a basic sales order template in tabular format:| Section | Field/Element | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Header | Order Number | SO-2025-001 |
| Order Date | November 12, 2025 | |
| Customer Details | ABC Corp, 123 Main St, Anytown, USA; Contact: John Doe, (555) 123-4567 | |
| Seller Details | XYZ Inc, 456 Oak Ave, Business City, USA | |
| Body (Line Items) | Item 1: SKU, Description, Quantity, Unit Price, Subtotal | Widget A, Blue Widget, 100 units, $10.00, $1,000.00 |
| Item 2: SKU, Description, Quantity, Unit Price, Subtotal | Gadget B, Red Gadget, 50 units, $20.00, $1,000.00 | |
| Footer | Total Pricing (Subtotals + Taxes - Discounts) | Subtotals: $2,000.00; Taxes (8%): $160.00; Discounts: $0.00; Total: $2,160.00 |
| Shipping Terms | FOB Shipping Point | |
| Payment Terms | Net 30 days | |
| Delivery Date | December 1, 2025 | |
| Attachments/Notes | Special Instructions | Include user manual with each widget; warranty: 1 year |
