diff --git a/database/factories/AccessoryFactory.php b/database/factories/AccessoryFactory.php
index 3c48830d9e..d47ac401ec 100644
--- a/database/factories/AccessoryFactory.php
+++ b/database/factories/AccessoryFactory.php
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 namespace Database\Factories;
 
+use App\Models\Category;
 use App\Models\Manufacturer;
 use App\Models\User;
 use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Factories\Factory;
@@ -46,7 +47,9 @@ class AccessoryFactory extends Factory
             return [
                 'name' => 'Bluetooth Keyboard',
                 'image' => 'bluetooth.jpg',
-                'category_id' => 8,
+                'category_id' => function () {
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Keyboardss')->first() ?? Category::factory()->accessoryKeyboardCategory();
+                },
                 'manufacturer_id' => function () {
                     return Manufacturer::where('name', 'Apple')->first() ?? Manufacturer::factory()->apple();
                 },
@@ -63,7 +66,9 @@ class AccessoryFactory extends Factory
             return [
                 'name' => 'USB Keyboard',
                 'image' => 'usb-keyboard.jpg',
-                'category_id' => 8,
+                'category_id' => function () {
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Keyboardss')->first() ?? Category::factory()->accessoryKeyboardCategory();
+                },
                 'manufacturer_id' => function () {
                     return Manufacturer::where('name', 'Apple')->first() ?? Manufacturer::factory()->apple();
                 },
@@ -80,7 +85,9 @@ class AccessoryFactory extends Factory
             return [
                 'name' => 'Magic Mouse',
                 'image' => 'magic-mouse.jpg',
-                'category_id' => 9,
+                'category_id' => function () {
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Mouse')->first() ?? Category::factory()->accessoryMouseCategory();
+                },
                 'manufacturer_id' => function () {
                     return Manufacturer::where('name', 'Apple')->first() ?? Manufacturer::factory()->apple();
                 },
@@ -97,7 +104,9 @@ class AccessoryFactory extends Factory
             return [
                 'name' => 'Sculpt Comfort Mouse',
                 'image' => 'comfort-mouse.jpg',
-                'category_id' => 9,
+                'category_id' => function () {
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Mouse')->first() ?? Category::factory()->accessoryMouseCategory();
+                },
                 'manufacturer_id' => function () {
                     return Manufacturer::where('name', 'Microsoft')->first() ?? Manufacturer::factory()->microsoft();
                 },
diff --git a/database/factories/AssetModelFactory.php b/database/factories/AssetModelFactory.php
index df538e1c7e..2e88c40806 100644
--- a/database/factories/AssetModelFactory.php
+++ b/database/factories/AssetModelFactory.php
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ class AssetModelFactory extends Factory
             return [
                 'name' => 'Macbook Pro 13"',
                 'category_id' => function () {
-                    return Category::find(1) ?? Category::factory()->assetLaptopCategory();
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Laptops')->first() ?? Category::factory()->assetLaptopCategory();
                 },
                 'eol' => '36',
                 'depreciation_id' => 1,
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ class AssetModelFactory extends Factory
             return [
                 'name' => 'Macbook Air',
                 'category_id' => function () {
-                    return Category::find(1) ?? Category::factory()->assetLaptopCategory();
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Laptops')->first() ?? Category::factory()->assetLaptopCategory();
                 },
                 'manufacturer_id' => function () {
                     return Manufacturer::where('name', 'Apple')->first() ?? Manufacturer::factory()->apple();
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ class AssetModelFactory extends Factory
             return [
                 'name' => 'Surface',
                 'category_id' => function () {
-                    return Category::find(1) ?? Category::factory()->assetLaptopCategory();
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Laptops')->first() ?? Category::factory()->assetLaptopCategory();
                 },
                 'manufacturer_id' => function () {
                     return Manufacturer::where('name', 'Microsoft')->first() ?? Manufacturer::factory()->microsoft();
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ class AssetModelFactory extends Factory
             return [
                 'name' => 'XPS 13',
                 'category_id' => function () {
-                    return Category::find(1) ?? Category::factory()->assetLaptopCategory();
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Laptops')->first() ?? Category::factory()->assetLaptopCategory();
                 },
                 'manufacturer_id' => function () {
                     return Manufacturer::where('name', 'Dell')->first() ?? Manufacturer::factory()->dell();
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ class AssetModelFactory extends Factory
             return [
                 'name' => 'ZenBook UX310',
                 'category_id' => function () {
-                    return Category::find(1) ?? Category::factory()->assetLaptopCategory();
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Laptops')->first() ?? Category::factory()->assetLaptopCategory();
                 },
                 'manufacturer_id' => function () {
                     return Manufacturer::where('name', 'Asus')->first() ?? Manufacturer::factory()->asus();
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ class AssetModelFactory extends Factory
             return [
                 'name' => 'Spectre',
                 'category_id' => function () {
-                    return Category::find(1) ?? Category::factory()->assetLaptopCategory();
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Laptops')->first() ?? Category::factory()->assetLaptopCategory();
                 },
                 'manufacturer_id' => function () {
                     return Manufacturer::where('name', 'HP')->first() ?? Manufacturer::factory()->hp();
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ class AssetModelFactory extends Factory
             return [
                 'name' => 'Yoga 910',
                 'category_id' => function () {
-                    return Category::find(1) ?? Category::factory()->assetLaptopCategory();
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Laptops')->first() ?? Category::factory()->assetLaptopCategory();
                 },
                 'manufacturer_id' => function () {
                     return Manufacturer::where('name', 'Lenovo')->first() ?? Manufacturer::factory()->lenovo();
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ class AssetModelFactory extends Factory
             return [
                 'name' => 'iMac Pro',
                 'category_id' => function (){
-                    return Category::find(2) ?? Category::factory()->assetDesktopCategory();
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Desktops')->first() ?? Category::factory()->assetDesktopCategory();
                 },
                 'manufacturer_id' => function () {
                     return Manufacturer::where('name', 'Apple')->first() ?? Manufacturer::factory()->apple();
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ class AssetModelFactory extends Factory
             return [
                 'name' => 'Lenovo Intel Core i5',
                 'category_id' => function () {
-                    return Category::find(2) ?? Category::factory()->assetDesktopCategory();
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Desktops')->first() ?? Category::factory()->assetDesktopCategory();
                 },
                 'manufacturer_id' => function () {
                     return Manufacturer::where('name', 'Lenovo')->first() ?? Manufacturer::factory()->lenovo();
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ class AssetModelFactory extends Factory
             return [
                 'name' => 'OptiPlex',
                 'category_id' => function (){
-                    return Category::find(2) ?? Category::factory()->assetDesktopCategory();
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Desktops')->first() ?? Category::factory()->assetDesktopCategory();
                 },
                 'manufacturer_id' => function () {
                     return Manufacturer::where('name', 'Dell')->first() ?? Manufacturer::factory()->dell();
@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@ class AssetModelFactory extends Factory
             return [
                 'name' => 'SoundStation 2',
                 'category_id' => function () {
-                    return Category::find(6) ?? Category::factory()->assetVoipCategory();
+                    return Category::where('name', 'VOIP Phones')->first() ?? Category::factory()->assetVoipCategory();
                 },
                 'manufacturer_id' => function () {
                     return Manufacturer::where('name', 'Polycom')->first() ?? Manufacturer::factory()->polycom();
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ class AssetModelFactory extends Factory
             return [
                 'name' => 'Polycom CX3000 IP Conference Phone',
                 'category_id' => function () {
-                    return Category::find(6) ?? Category::factory()->assetVoipCategory();
+                    return Category::where('name', 'VOIP Phones')->first() ?? Category::factory()->assetVoipCategory();
                 },
                 'manufacturer_id' => function () {
                     return Manufacturer::where('name', 'Polycom')->first() ?? Manufacturer::factory()->polycom();
@@ -323,7 +323,7 @@ class AssetModelFactory extends Factory
             return [
                 'name' => 'iPad Pro',
                 'category_id' => function () {
-                    return Category::find(3) ?? Category::factory()->assetTabletCategory();
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Tablets')->first() ?? Category::factory()->assetTabletCategory();
                 },
                 'manufacturer_id' => function () {
                     return Manufacturer::where('name', 'Apple')->first() ?? Manufacturer::factory()->apple();
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ class AssetModelFactory extends Factory
             return [
                 'name' => 'Tab3',
                 'category_id' => function () {
-                    return Category::find(3) ?? Category::factory()->assetTabletCategory();
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Tablets')->first() ?? Category::factory()->assetTabletCategory();
                 },
                 'manufacturer_id' => function () {
                     return Manufacturer::where('name', 'Lenovo')->first() ?? Manufacturer::factory()->lenovo();
@@ -359,7 +359,7 @@ class AssetModelFactory extends Factory
             return [
                 'name' => 'iPhone 11',
                 'category_id' => function () {
-                    return Category::find(4) ?? Category::factory()->assetMobileCategory();
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Mobile Phones')->first() ?? Category::factory()->assetMobileCategory();
                 },
                 'manufacturer_id' => function () {
                     return Manufacturer::where('name', 'Apple')->first() ?? Manufacturer::factory()->apple();
@@ -378,7 +378,7 @@ class AssetModelFactory extends Factory
             return [
                 'name' => 'iPhone 12',
                 'category_id' => function () {
-                    return Category::find(4) ?? Category::factory()->assetMobileCategory();
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Mobile Phones')->first() ?? Category::factory()->assetMobileCategory();
                 },
                 'manufacturer_id' => function () {
                     return Manufacturer::where('name', 'Apple')->first() ?? Manufacturer::factory()->apple();
@@ -397,7 +397,7 @@ class AssetModelFactory extends Factory
             return [
                 'name' => 'Ultrafine 4k',
                 'category_id' => function () {
-                    return Category::find(5) ?? Category::factory()->assetDisplayCategory();
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Displays')->first() ?? Category::factory()->assetDisplayCategory();
                 },
                 'manufacturer_id' => function () {
                     return Manufacturer::where('name', 'LG')->first() ?? Manufacturer::factory()->lg();
@@ -415,7 +415,7 @@ class AssetModelFactory extends Factory
             return [
                 'name' => 'Ultrasharp U2415',
                 'category_id' => function () {
-                    return Category::find(5) ?? Category::factory()->assetDisplayCategory();
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Displays')->first() ?? Category::factory()->assetDisplayCategory();
                 },
                 'manufacturer_id' => function () {
                     return Manufacturer::where('name', 'Dell')->first() ?? Manufacturer::factory()->dell();
diff --git a/database/factories/ComponentFactory.php b/database/factories/ComponentFactory.php
index 20c035aed6..36e0214350 100644
--- a/database/factories/ComponentFactory.php
+++ b/database/factories/ComponentFactory.php
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 namespace Database\Factories;
 
+use App\Models\Category;
+use App\Models\Company;
 use App\Models\Location;
 use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Factories\Factory;
 
@@ -32,9 +34,7 @@ class ComponentFactory extends Factory
     {
         return [
             'name' => $this->faker->text(20),
-            'category_id' => function () {
-                return \App\Models\Category::factory()->create()->id;
-            },
+            'category_id' => Category::factory(),
             'location_id' => function () {
                 return Location::first() ?? Location::factory();
             },
@@ -44,9 +44,7 @@ class ComponentFactory extends Factory
             'purchase_date' => $this->faker->dateTime(),
             'purchase_cost' => $this->faker->randomFloat(2),
             'min_amt' => $this->faker->numberBetween($min = 1, $max = 2),
-            'company_id' => function () {
-                return \App\Models\Company::factory()->create()->id;
-            },
+            'company_id' => Company::factory(),
         ];
     }
 
@@ -55,7 +53,9 @@ class ComponentFactory extends Factory
         return $this->state(function () {
             return [
                 'name' => 'Crucial 4GB DDR3L-1600 SODIMM',
-                'category_id' => 13,
+                'category_id' => function () {
+                    return Category::where('name', 'RAM')->first() ?? Category::factory()->componentRamCategory();
+                },
                 'qty' => 10,
                 'min_amt' => 2,
                 'location_id' => 3,
@@ -69,7 +69,9 @@ class ComponentFactory extends Factory
         return $this->state(function () {
             return [
                 'name' => 'Crucial 8GB DDR3L-1600 SODIMM Memory for Mac',
-                'category_id' => 13,
+                'category_id' => function () {
+                    return Category::where('name', 'RAM')->first() ?? Category::factory()->componentRamCategory();
+                },
                 'qty' => 10,
                 'min_amt' => 2,
             ];
@@ -81,7 +83,9 @@ class ComponentFactory extends Factory
         return $this->state(function () {
             return [
                 'name' => 'Crucial BX300 120GB SATA Internal SSD',
-                'category_id' => 12,
+                'category_id' => function () {
+                    return Category::where('name', 'HDD/SSD')->first() ?? Category::factory()->componentHddCategory();
+                },
                 'qty' => 10,
                 'min_amt' => 2,
             ];
@@ -93,7 +97,9 @@ class ComponentFactory extends Factory
         return $this->state(function () {
             return [
                 'name' => 'Crucial BX300 240GB SATA Internal SSD',
-                'category_id' => 12,
+                'category_id' => function () {
+                    return Category::where('name', 'HDD/SSD')->first() ?? Category::factory()->componentHddCategory();
+                },
                 'qty' => 10,
                 'min_amt' => 2,
             ];
diff --git a/database/factories/ConsumableFactory.php b/database/factories/ConsumableFactory.php
index ab28e38880..085c9811f1 100644
--- a/database/factories/ConsumableFactory.php
+++ b/database/factories/ConsumableFactory.php
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 namespace Database\Factories;
 
+use App\Models\Category;
 use App\Models\Manufacturer;
 use App\Models\User;
 use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Factories\Factory;
@@ -49,7 +50,9 @@ class ConsumableFactory extends Factory
         return $this->state(function () {
             return [
                 'name' => 'Cardstock (White)',
-                'category_id' => 10,
+                'category_id' => function () {
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Printer Paper')->first() ?? Category::factory()->consumablePaperCategory();
+                },
                 'manufacturer_id' => function () {
                     return Manufacturer::where('name', 'Avery')->first() ?? Manufacturer::factory()->avery();
                 },
@@ -65,7 +68,9 @@ class ConsumableFactory extends Factory
         return $this->state(function () {
             return [
                 'name' => 'Laserjet Paper (Ream)',
-                'category_id' => 10,
+                'category_id' => function () {
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Printer Paper')->first() ?? Category::factory()->consumablePaperCategory();
+                },
                 'manufacturer_id' => function () {
                     return Manufacturer::where('name', 'Avery')->first() ?? Manufacturer::factory()->avery();
                 },
@@ -80,7 +85,9 @@ class ConsumableFactory extends Factory
         return $this->state(function () {
             return [
                 'name' => 'Laserjet Toner (black)',
-                'category_id' => 11,
+                'category_id' => function () {
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Printer Ink')->first() ?? Category::factory()->consumableInkCategory();
+                },
                 'manufacturer_id' => function () {
                     return Manufacturer::where('name', 'HP')->first() ?? Manufacturer::factory()->hp();
                 },
diff --git a/database/factories/LicenseFactory.php b/database/factories/LicenseFactory.php
index dd2c186d60..418e296b6c 100644
--- a/database/factories/LicenseFactory.php
+++ b/database/factories/LicenseFactory.php
@@ -72,7 +72,9 @@ class LicenseFactory extends Factory
                 'seats' => 10,
                 'purchase_order' => '13503Q',
                 'maintained' => true,
-                'category_id' => 14,
+                'category_id' => function () {
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Graphics Software')->first() ?? Category::factory()->licenseGraphicsCategory();
+                },
             ];
 
             return $data;
@@ -89,7 +91,9 @@ class LicenseFactory extends Factory
                 },
                 'purchase_cost' => '29.99',
                 'seats' => 10,
-                'category_id' => 14,
+                'category_id' => function () {
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Graphics Software')->first() ?? Category::factory()->licenseGraphicsCategory();
+                },
             ];
 
             return $data;
@@ -106,7 +110,9 @@ class LicenseFactory extends Factory
                 },
                 'purchase_cost' => '199.99',
                 'seats' => 10,
-                'category_id' => 14,
+                'category_id' => function () {
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Graphics Software')->first() ?? Category::factory()->licenseGraphicsCategory();
+                },
             ];
     
 
@@ -124,7 +130,9 @@ class LicenseFactory extends Factory
                 },
                 'purchase_cost' => '49.99',
                 'seats' => 20,
-                'category_id' => 15,
+                'category_id' => function () {
+                    return Category::where('name', 'Office Software')->first() ?? Category::factory()->licenseOfficeCategory();
+                },
             ];
 
             return $data;