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Transaction Workflow

Transactions follow a structured workflow from creation to completion. Understanding this workflow helps you manage orders efficiently and keep your supply chain running smoothly.

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Workflow Overview

All transactions follow a similar lifecycle: 
Creation → Draft → Submit → In Progress → Completed → Archived
There is no “Cancelled” status at the transaction level. Individual steps within a transaction can be cancelled, but the transaction itself moves through Draft → In Progress → Completed → Archived.

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Workflow Stages

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Stage 1: Creation

What Happens:
  • Transaction is initiated
  • Basic information entered
  • Line items added
Sources:
SourceDescription
ManualUser creates from scratch
Supply PlanConvert from recommendation
CopyDuplicate existing transaction

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Stage 2: Draft

What Happens:
  • Transaction saved but not active
  • Can be freely edited
  • No inventory impact
  • No external communication
Available Actions:
  • Edit all fields
  • Add/remove line items
  • Change supplier/warehouse
  • Submit
  • Delete

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Stage 3: Submission

What Happens:
  • Validation runs
  • Status changes to “In Progress”
  • Inventory effects begin
  • Workflow steps created
Validation Checks:
CheckFailure Action
Required fieldsBlock submission
Quantity validationShow error
Availability (transfers)Block submission
Component availability (production)Block or warn

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Stage 4: In Progress

What Happens:
  • Transaction is active
  • Steps are tracked
  • Inventory committed/reserved
  • Documents can be added
Status Updates:
ActionTrigger
Step completionManual update
Partial receiptReceiving action
IssuesNotes and flags

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Stage 5: Completion

What Happens:
  • All steps are completed
  • Inventory fully updated
  • Transaction status moves to “Completed”
Completion Types:
TypeDescription
FullAll items received/completed as expected
PartialSome items completed, remainder steps cancelled

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Stage 6: Archived

What Happens:
  • Transaction is moved to the “Archived” terminal state
  • Becomes fully read-only
  • Preserved for historical records and audit
  • No further status changes are possible

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Workflow by Transaction Type

Tether uses three step types—Purchase, Shipment, and Production—to model all transaction workflows. Each step has its own status (Draft → In Progress → Completed, or Cancelled) and tracks inventory through specific inventory state types.

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Purchase Order Workflow

Draft
  ↓
Submitted → Purchase Step created (In Process)
  ↓
Purchase Report submitted → Purchase Step completed (Completed Purchase)
  ↓
Shipping Plan submitted → Shipment Step created (In Transit)
  ↓
Shipment Receipt submitted → Shipment Step completed (Completed Shipment)
  ↓
Completed

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PO Steps & Inventory States

Step TypeInventory StateDescription
Purchase (In Progress)In ProcessOrder is being processed by supplier
Purchase (Completed)Completed PurchaseSupplier has fulfilled the order
Shipment (In Progress)In TransitGoods are in transit to destination
Shipment (Completed)Completed ShipmentGoods received at destination warehouse; sellable inventory added

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Transfer Order Workflow

Draft
  ↓
Submitted → Shipping Plan auto-created → Shipment Step created (In Transit)
  ↓
Shipment Receipt submitted → Shipment Step completed (Completed Shipment)
  ↓
Completed

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Transfer Steps & Inventory States

Step TypeInventory StateDescription
Shipment (In Progress)In TransitGoods deducted from source sellable, in transit to destination
Shipment (Completed)Completed ShipmentGoods received at destination; sellable inventory added
For split shipments with multiple destinations, Tether creates separate Shipment steps and artifacts for each destination warehouse.

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Production Order Workflow

Draft
  ↓
Submitted → Production Step created (In Production, components Committed)
  ↓
Production Report submitted → Production Step completed (Completed Production, components Consumed)
  ↓
Completed

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Production Steps & Inventory States

Step TypeInventory StateDescription
Production (In Progress)In ProductionFinished goods are being produced
Production (In Progress)CommittedComponents reserved from sellable inventory
Production (In Progress)BackorderedComponents that couldn’t be committed due to insufficient inventory
Production (Completed)Completed ProductionFinished goods added to sellable inventory
Production (Completed)ConsumedComponents fully deducted from inventory

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Step Management

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Step Statuses

Each step within a transaction has its own status:
StatusDescription
DraftStep created but not yet active
In ProgressStep is actively being worked on
CompletedStep finished successfully
CancelledStep was cancelled (does not block transaction completion)

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Updating Steps via Artifacts

Steps are advanced by submitting the appropriate artifact:
1

Navigate to Transaction

Open the transaction detail view
2

Go to Steps & Inventory Tab

Click on the Steps & Inventory tab (visible for non-draft transactions)
3

Select the Step

Find the step you want to update
4

Submit the Appropriate Artifact

Submit the matching artifact to advance the step:
  • Production Report → advances a Production step
  • Purchase Report → advances a Purchase step
  • Shipment Receipt → advances a Shipment step
  • Shipping Plan → creates a new Shipment step
5

Review

Step status updates and inventory states change accordingly

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Step Details

Each step tracks:
FieldDescription
Step TypeProduction, Purchase, or Shipment
StatusDraft, In Progress, Completed, or Cancelled
Inventory StatesCurrent inventory impact of this step
SourceWhere goods come from
DestinationWhere goods are going

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Handling Issues

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Delays

When steps take longer than expected:
  1. Add notes explaining delay
  2. Update expected completion dates
  3. Communicate with stakeholders
  4. Consider impact on inventory

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Partial Fulfillment

When not all quantities are received:
OptionWhen to Use
WaitMore expected to arrive
BackorderOrder remainder separately
Close ShortAccept partial, close transaction

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Cancelling Steps

Individual steps can be cancelled without cancelling the entire transaction:
1

Review Impact

Understand what inventory effects will be reversed for this step
2

Cancel the Step

Mark the step as Cancelled
3

Inventory Adjusts

Committed or in-transit inventory associated with that step is released
What Gets Reversed When a Step Is Cancelled:
  • Committed components are released back to sellable
  • In-transit quantities are reversed
  • The step moves to Cancelled status
The transaction itself does not have a “Cancelled” status. If all steps are cancelled or completed, the transaction moves to Completed and can then be Archived.

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Inventory Effects by Step Type

Inventory changes are tracked through StepInventoryStateType values on each step:

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Purchase Steps

StateEffect
In ProcessOrder is being processed; no inventory change yet
Completed PurchasePurchase fulfilled; goods ready for shipment to warehouse

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Shipment Steps

StateSource WarehouseDestination Warehouse
In TransitSellable reducedIn-transit quantity shown
Completed Shipment—Sellable inventory added

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Production Steps

StateComponentsFinished Goods
CommittedReserved from sellable—
BackorderedInsufficient inventory flagged—
In Production—Being produced
ConsumedFully deducted—
Completed Production—Added to sellable

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Best Practices

Keep workflow current:
  • Update as events happen
  • Don’t batch updates
  • Accuracy helps planning
When problems occur:
  • Add notes immediately
  • Attach evidence if available
  • Flag for follow-up
Don’t leave transactions hanging:
  • Complete when done
  • Close partial as needed
  • Cancel if not proceeding
Steps create visibility:
  • Team sees progress
  • Reduces status inquiries
  • Provides audit trail

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Workflow Reporting

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Lead Time Analysis

Track actual vs. expected:
  • Step durations
  • Total order time
  • Supplier performance
  • Transit times

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Bottleneck Identification

Find where delays occur:
  • Which steps take longest?
  • Which suppliers are slow?
  • Which warehouses are slow to receive?

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Next Steps

Transaction Details

Navigate detail pages

Creating Transactions

Create new transactions

Supply Plan

Manage replenishment orders

Inventory Dashboard

Monitor inventory impact