The system allows users to deactivate categories so products under the deactivated category will no longer be available for transactions. This article explains how to do it.
How to Deactivate a Category
What happens once a category is deactivated?
The system will not allow creating more products under the deactivated category
The system will no longer display products under the deactivated category for create new SOs, Prebooks, Sales Orders, etc.
When there are existing Prebooks, SOs, Orders with products under the deactivated category, the system will still display that product until it is sold and shipped.