---
title: "Draft Orders"
canonical: "https://red-ant-documentation.refined.site/space/RET/1246953477/Draft%20Orders"
format: markdown
---
## Overview
The draft order functionality is designed to enhance the efficiency and flexibility of the sales associate during the checkout process. This feature allows the sales associate to exit the checkout while preserving the customer's selections, enabling them to add additional products or address any interruptions without losing progress.
For instance, imagine a customer who is in the process of checking out but suddenly remembers they need to grab a matching accessory from a different section of the store. The sales associate can save the draft order and exit the checkout, allowing the customer to quickly retrieve the item. Once the customer returns, the sales associate can easily add the new accessory to the existing order without having to restart the checkout process.
Another example is when a customer realises they need to get cash from an ATM to complete their purchase. Instead of losing the items in their basket, the sales associate can store the draft order and continue assisting other customers. Once the customer returns, the associate can easily resume the order, ensuring a seamless experience.
Additionally, in a busy retail environment during peak hours, a sales associate may have multiple customers needing assistance simultaneously. The draft order functionality allows them to manage these demands efficiently by saving incomplete orders and returning to them as time permits.
### How It Works
#### Draft Order Creation
- When the sales associate selects a customer and enters the checkout, an order is created with a 'draft' status.
- Any modifications made during the checkout—such as editing unit prices, applying discounts, adding order notes, and updating the order date—are automatically synchronised with the draft order. This ensures that all updates are preserved if the associate exits the checkout.
> 📝 Please note that information entered into the order notes and updates made to the order date are only stored against the draft order once the user has pressed 'Confirm' and progressed to the second stage of checkout. Unlike price edits or discounts, there is no explicit call-to-action (CTA) to confirm the entry of notes or changes to the order date, which is why these updates are not preserved until the confirmation step is completed.
#### Draft Order Reference
- After exiting the checkout, the basket indicates that it contains a draft order, complete with a reference to the order number.
- The sales associate has the option to generate a 'New Basket,' which clears the current contents (products and the customer associated with the draft order) but retains the draft order within the order management system.
#### Resuming Draft Orders
- Draft orders can be resumed via the order details section within order management.
- Selecting to ‘resume’ a draft order will repopulate the basket with the associated customer and products. Upon re-entering checkout, all previous updates made to the draft order will be retained, facilitating streamlined order processing.
> ⚠️ Sales associates are only able to resume draft orders where there is a customer assigned.
#### Deleting Draft Orders
- Sales associates can manually delete draft orders through the order details section within order management.
- When a draft order is deleted, its status is updated to 'void,' removing it from the order management view while still keeping a record in the database for audit purposes.
#### Automated Voiding of Prolonged Draft Orders
- An automated process is in place to void draft orders that have remained in 'draft' status for an extended period. This helps prevent the order management system from becoming cluttered with numerous draft orders. By default, the expiration period is set to 3 months, however, this setting is configurable to meet specific business needs.
> ℹ️ The expiration date is based on the orders `createdAt` date timestamp.
### FAQs
What types of checkout journeys support the creation of 'draft' orders?
Draft orders are created exclusively during the standard basket checkout flow. They are not generated through in-store consultations or virtual consultations.
Who can resume draft orders?
Any sales associate can resume another sales associate's draft order. This functionality is particularly important if a customer returns to the store and wants to continue their order where they left off, especially if the original sales associate is unavailable. This ensures a seamless customer experience, allowing for efficient service regardless of which associate is assisting the customer.