methods and systems for supply chain management in accordance with a state model . a supply chain management system includes a transaction state module within an inter - enterprise server assessable by trading partners . the transaction state module can define a state model which allows a trading partner to view a transaction and perform an action in accordance with a state of the transaction . the state model describes , in association with each state , which of the trading partners have visibility to the transaction and ability to perform an action . the trading partners can include consumers , retailers , distributors , etc . the transactions can include a forecast order , a purchase order , a billing , a product shipment , a payment , an invoice , a credit memo , a request for quote , and a return material authorization . states of the transaction can include , for example , create , open , public view , private view , publish , commit , cancel , supersede , and the like .