orderId

Orderid is a unique identifier assigned to a customer order within a system such as an e-commerce platform, enterprise resource planning, or logistics software. It serves as the primary reference used to track the order’s status, history, and related processes from creation to fulfillment and payment.

Generation and format vary by system. Orderids are typically created by the order management system at the moment of order entry. Formats range from simple numeric sequences to alphanumeric codes or universally unique identifiers (UUIDs). Some implementations embed metadata, such as date or storefront code, into the ID, while others keep the identifier opaque to avoid revealing internal structure. In practice, an order may have multiple identifiers in use, including an internal order ID, a customer-facing order number, a shipment tracking number, and a payment reference.

Characteristics and usage. An orderid must be unique within the relevant scope and persist for the life of the order. It enables search, reporting, customer service, and integration with other systems such as payment gateways, warehouses, and carriers. Because some IDs may be exposed externally, systems balance readability with security, sometimes preferring non-sequential or randomized formats to reduce the ease of guessing or enumeration.

Interoperability and best practices. A robust design provides a durable primary key in databases, stable external references for customers, and clear mappings between internal IDs and customer-visible numbers. It should support cross-system mapping and auditing, with appropriate access controls and logging to protect order data.

See also: order number, tracking number, invoice number.