Can I use a configured distribution network when implementing a released transfer order?

Yes. On the Replenish Location by Transfer Order page you can check Use Distribution Network if you use Distribution Resource Planning and want to use a configured network; clearing the box creates a transfer order quantity based on demand at the receiving location.

How do the Firm and Released checkboxes differ when creating a manual planned order?

Firm keeps the planned order in the supply plan so it is not erased when the supply planning process runs. Released is a separate state used by the transfer-order implementation workflow, so treat firm and released as distinct decisions rather than assuming one checkbox performs both functions.

Which planned-order field controls where the purchase order, transfer order, or completed work order will be received or stocked?

The Source Location is the stocking location being replenished and determines where purchase orders and transfer orders will be received and where a work order will be stocked after completion. Confirm the Source Location before saving because source documentation explicitly associates receipt and stocking outcomes with that field.

Manual Planned Orders and Transfer...

Q: How are expedited planned purchase orders surfaced to purchasing users and how can they filter the list?

The To Be Expedited flag marks planned purchase orders so NetSuite flags them on the Order Items page for purchasing and procurement managers to identify and prioritize. The Order Items page lists items needing vendor orders, suggests quantities, and offers filters for Location, Department, and Vendor; if the Centralize Purchasing in a Single Location preference is enabled, items aren’t filtered by location and the selected location determines the location shown on created purchase orders (Setup > Accounting > Preferences > Accounting Preferences).

Manual planned orders can be entered in the Supply Planning Workbench, then retained in the supply plan by firming or released for follow-on processing. For a released transfer order, the replenishment page lets you choose subsidiaries, locations, network use, and units before submitting the planned order and opening the resulting transfer transaction.

How do you manually create a planned order?

Planned orders are created during the planning process, and they can also be created from the Supply Planning Workbench. To enter one manually, open the workbench and use the Supply Type tab:

Click Create Planned Order.
In the Create Planned Order window, select an Item. The read-only Item Description field displays the description for the selected item.
Select a Location.
Select a Source Location.
Select a Transaction Type.
Select the planned order Start and End Dates.
Enter the planned order Quantity.
To firm the order, check Firm.
To release the order, check Released.
To identify it as high priority, check To Be Expedited.
Enter instructions or other information in Memo.
Click Save.

The Source Location has a specific meaning in this process: it represents the stocking location being replenished. It is where the purchase order and transfer order will be received, and where the work order will be stocked after completion. Confirm this selection before saving, because it is the field the source documentation explicitly associates with those receipt and stocking outcomes.

Which planned-order fields should you review before saving?

The creation window includes the following fields and options. The table distinguishes documented behavior from labels that simply require a selection or entry.

Field or option	What the workflow specifies
Item	Select the item for the planned order.
Item Description	A read-only field that displays the selected item's description.
Location	Select a location.
Source Location	Select the stocking location being replenished; it is where purchase and transfer orders are received and where a work order is stocked after completion.
Transaction Type	Select a transaction type.
Start and End Dates	Select the planned order dates.
Quantity	Enter the planned order quantity.
Firm	Keeps the order in the supply plan; firmed orders are not erased when the supply planning process runs.
Released	Check this box to release the order.
To Be Expedited	Identifies the planned purchase order as needing urgent attention.
Memo	Enter instructions or information to accompany the order.

Firm and release are separate selections. Firming addresses whether the order remains in the supply plan when the supply planning process is run. Releasing is the state used by the transfer-order implementation workflow described below. Treat them as distinct decisions rather than assuming one checkbox performs the other function.

For an expedited planned purchase order, To Be Expedited provides a documented downstream cue: NetSuite flags expedited orders on the Order Items page so purchasing and procurement managers can identify and prioritize high-priority orders.

How do you implement a released transfer order?

Use the released-transfer workflow from Transactions > Supply Planning > Replenish Location by Transfer Order. The page presents planned orders after you make the applicable selections.

Select a Date using the calendar icon.
Select From Subsidiary. You can optionally select To Subsidiary.
Select From Location. This is the location from which the item is transferred. When the order is fulfilled, items are removed from this location and the item's inventory count decreases there.
Optionally select To Location, Department, or Class to refine the replenishment.
If you use Distribution Resource Planning and want to use a configured network, check Use Distribution Network. Clear the box to create a transfer order showing a quantity based on demand at the receiving location.
If you use multiple units of measure, choose whether to display Unit as Base Unit or Stock Unit.
Review the order on the Planned Orders subtab. Check the box beside the order to process, then click Submit.
In the Processed Transfer Orders window, the location status displays as Complete. Click the created transfer order link in the Number column.
In the Planned Transfer Order, click Transaction Created to display the new transfer order. The transaction was created from the planned order.

The optional fields matter because they refine the replenishment selection; they are not required by the documented steps. Similarly, Use Distribution Network is conditional on using Distribution Resource Planning and wanting to use a network that has been set up. If that condition does not apply, clearing the option produces a transfer order quantity based on demand at the receiving location.

What should purchasing users know about expedited orders?

The expedited indicator is specifically described for a planned purchase order requiring urgent attention. Its documented visibility point is the Order Items page, where purchasing and procurement managers can quickly identify and prioritize expedited orders.

The Order Items form lists items that need to be ordered from vendors. NetSuite suggests quantities based on preferred stock level and open backorders, or quantities scheduled on blanket purchase orders. Users can verify or change suggested amounts before creating purchase orders.

The form also offers filters for Location, Department, and Vendor. A location selection can limit the list to items needed at that location that are at or below their reorder point; selecting All shows qualifying items from all locations. If the Centralize Purchasing in a Single Location preference is enabled, items are not filtered by location. In that case, the selected location determines the location shown on created purchase orders. The preference path is Setup > Accounting > Preferences > Accounting Preferences.

For separate workflow references, see bulk editing of project tasks, bulk task editing for project management, and bulk task editing for projects.

Who This Affects

Users of the Supply Planning Workbench who create planned orders manually and select the item, locations, dates, quantity, and order options.
Users implementing released transfer orders who work from the Replenish Location by Transfer Order page and submit an order from the Planned Orders subtab.
Purchasing and procurement managers who use the Order Items page to identify and prioritize expedited orders.
Users of Distribution Resource Planning who may choose a configured distribution network when replenishing by transfer order.
Organizations using multiple units of measure that need to choose Base Unit or Stock Unit for the planned-order display.

Key Takeaways

Manual planned orders are created from the Supply Type tab in the Supply Planning Workbench.
Source Location represents the stocking location being replenished and is tied to the documented receipt or stocking outcomes for purchase orders, transfer orders, and completed work orders.
A firmed order remains in the supply plan and is not erased when supply planning runs.
A released transfer order is processed from Transactions > Supply Planning > Replenish Location by Transfer Order and the resulting transaction is available through Transaction Created.
To Be Expedited flags expedited orders on the Order Items page for purchasing and procurement managers.

Manual Planned Orders and Transfer Orders in NetSuite