In Katana, you can assign specific ingredient batches (materials or subassemblies) to outsourced purchase orders (OPOs). This ensures traceability, quality control, and compliance throughout your outsourced manufacturing process.
Key rules before assigning
Batches can be selected immediately after creating the OPO.
You must assign batches for all batch-trackable ingredients before the OPO is received — otherwise, you can’t complete it.
Assigned batches do not commit stock until the order is marked Received.
You can only assign batches from the Track ingredients in location of the OPO.
Example: If you want a contractor to use batches stored in your warehouse, set Track ingredients in = Warehouse, assign the batches, then change it back to the contractor’s location. Don’t forget to also create a stock transfer to move the assigned batches to the contractor before receiving the OPO.
How to assign batches for ingredients
Open the OPO > Track ingredients tab.
Click Assign batches.
For each ingredient with batch tracking enabled:
Batch # column → Select an existing batch with positive stock, or choose Unbatched (if available).
Quantity to assign column → Shows how many items still need a batch. You must reduce this to 0 before saving.
Quantity to track column → Enter how many items are taken from the selected batch. Katana auto-fills with either:
The max available in that batch, or
The total needed to assign.
If the full quantity isn’t taken from one batch, Katana adds an extra row so you can assign the remainder from another batch.
If available, the Expiration date for the selected batch is displayed.
Once all items are assigned, click Save tracking info.
You cannot save until the Quantity to assign is zero for every ingredient.
Completing the OPO
After saving batch info, print a BOM with assigned batches if you want to share this with your contractor.
Change the OPO status to Receive all.
If the purchased item itself is batch-trackable, you’ll also need to assign a batch number for the received items. Learn more about assigning batches when receiving items
Validation & traceability
When the OPO is received, Katana validates that all assigned batches are still available in stock.
If valid, the ingredients are consumed from those exact batches.
You can view or edit ingredient assignments from the OPO card > Track ingredients tab before completion.
Key takeaways
Ingredient batches must be assigned before receiving an OPO.
All Quantity to assign values must be 0 before saving.
Only batches from the OPO’s Track ingredients in location can be used.
Assigned batches are saved but not committed until the OPO is received.
Use the BOM printout to share assigned batches with contractors.
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