Set Up Item Tracking with Serial, Lot, and Package Numbers
Keep track of inventory items even in complex warehouse configurations with numbers that are specific to each item, either as an individual object, as a lot, or as a package. With item tracking, you can trace items across internal warehouse movements, and outbound and inbound documents.
Items with serial and lot numbers can be traced both backwards and forward in the supply chain. This is useful for general quality assurance and for product recalls. For more information, see Trace Item-Tracked Items.
[!TIP] In 2021 release wave 1 and later, switch on the Use tracking by package number in reservation and tracking system feature update if you want to work with package numbers as well as serial and lot numbers. For more information, see Enabling Upcoming Features Ahead of Time. Once the feature is switched on, you can assign package numbers to outbound and inbound documents similar to how you can work with lot numbers.
Numbers and item tracking
As part of your warehouse processes, you can bundle your stock in packages, boxes, containers, and so on. But in order to keep track of the items, you assign unique numbers as identification. For example, you manufacture and sell a chair that has the item number 1900-S. Each individual chair has a serial number, 1001, but you also bundle four chairs into a lot, LOT0001, and you ship the chairs in a container with the package number CONTAINER010 that also includes other items, such as LOT0100 with side tables, and LOT200 with lamps.
Depending on your configuration, you use these different numbers to keep track of inventory in Business Central at the various stages of purchasing, sales, warehouse operations, and so on.
To set up item tracking codes
An item tracking code reflects the different considerations a company has regarding the use of serial and lot numbers for items moving through the inventory.
- Choose the
icon, enter Item Tracking Codes, and then choose the related link. - Choose the New action.
- Fill in the fields as necessary. Hover over a field to read a short description.
- On the Serial No., Lot No., and the Package No. FastTabs, define policies of item tracking by serial, lot, and package numbers respectively.
[!NOTE]
If you want to track specific items or specific lots throughout their lifetime, you must choose the SN Specific Tracking and Lot Specific Tracking fields, respectively. As a result, when handling an outbound unit of an item with this item tracking code, you must always specify which existing serial number or which existing lot number to handle. This means that when selling a unit of the item, it must be applied against a specific pool of serial numbers or a specific lot number in inventory. Or in other words, a serial number or lot number assigned to the item when entering into inventory must follow that item type out of inventory.
As this particular setup field covers all possible transactions with the item, the individual inbound/outbound fields will also be selected. However, the individual inbound/outbound fields have nothing to do with application across inventory - they merely define your company's work flow concerning when to assign item tracking numbers.
[!NOTE]
To assign item tracking numbers in warehouse activities, the SN Warehouse Tracking and Lot Warehouse Tracking fields must be selected on the item's item tracking code card.
To set up expiration rules for serial or lot numbers
For some items you might want to set up specific expiration dates and rules in the item tracking code. This functionality allows you to keep track of when specific serial numbers and lot numbers expire.
Choose the
icon, enter Item Tracking Codes, and then choose the related link.Select an existing item tracking code, and then choose the Edit action.
On the Misc. FastTab, select the following fields:
Field Description Strict Expiration Posting Specifies that an expiration date assigned to the item tracking number as it entered inventory must be respected when it exits inventory. Require Expir. Date Entry Specifies that you must enter an expiration date on the item tracking line. Use Expiration Dates Specifies that you want to calculate expiration dates.
To set up warranties for serial or lot numbers
For some items, you might want to set up specific warranties in the item tracking code. This functionality allows you to keep track of when the warranties on specific serial or lot numbers in your inventory will run out.
Choose the
icon, enter Item Tracking Codes, and then choose the related link.Select an existing item tracking code, and then choose the Edit action.
On the Misc. FastTab, fill in the Warranty Date Formula field, and then select the fields as follows:
Field Description Warranty Date Formula Specifies the last day of warranty for the item. Require Warranty Date Entry Specifies that you must manually enter a warranty date on the item tracking line.
To set up items for tracking with the correct item tracking codes
To enable item tracking you first have to assign the item tracking codes to an item. There are two ways to add item tracking codes, by selecting the code from a predefined list or by assigning a new unique code. Hover over the fields to read a short description.
- Choose the icon, enter Item, and then choose the related link.
- Select an existing item from the list, and open the Item Card page.
- On the Item Tracking FastTab, assign the appropriate item tracking codes and choose the Item Tracking Code, the Serial Nos., and the Lot Nos..
- Alternatively you can also create a new item tracking code by selecting the New action.
See Also
Work with Serial and Lot Numbers
Trace Item-Tracked Items
Inventory
Design Details: Item Tracking
Design Details - Item Tracking and Reservations
Reserve Items
Work with Business Central
--- author: edupont04