Assigning serial numbers to items on a sales order helps maintain precise traceability and compliance. This ensures each sold item is uniquely identified and tracked through your supply chain.
Why assign serial numbers on SOs?
Essential for serial-tracked products: Items with serial tracking can have serials added on the SO line before or after packing and delivery.
Maintain data compliance: Especially important when managing warranties, service, or recalls.
E-commerce imports: Imported orders might be marked Done before serials are set; Katana flags these cases for follow-up.
Three scenarios for assigning serials
Order type | Auto assignment? | Manual required? | Notes |
Make-to-Order | ✅ Yes (auto) | Not needed | The SO pulls items from its linked MO, so serials are assigned automatically. |
Make-to-Stock | ❌ No | ✅ | Click the warning icon to open the serial picker. |
E-commerce Import | Depends on config | ✅ If missing (reverting SO needed) | Imports marked Done may emit a yellow warning until serials are added. |
Step-by-step: Assigning serials on Make‑to‑Stock SOs
After marking Packed or Delivered, click the yellow warning icon or serial number field in the SO.
Select the serial numbers for that line, or paste a list of serials.
When the number of serials matches the line quantity, the indicator turns green.
You can do this before you pack, while packing or delivering, or after the SO is done. To change serials later, open the traceability row again. You don't need to revert the order.
Handling e-commerce imports
Imported SOs may skip Katana serial prompts if already marked Done in the storefront.
Katana flags these with a yellow icon—click to open and assign serials manually.
On the Sell screen:
On a sales order:
If serials are added post-completion, revert the SO before assignment.
Note: Reverting does not sync back to the online platform.
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