Set up item tracking with serial, lot, and package numbers

Keep track of inventory items, even in complex warehouse configurations, by assigning numbers that are specific to each item. You can use numbers for individual objects, lots, or packages. 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. Tracing is useful for general quality assurance and for product recalls. For more information, see Trace Item-Tracked Items.

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 chair has a serial number, 1001, but you also bundle four chairs into a lot, LOT0001. You also ship the chairs in a container with the package number CONTAINER010 that also includes 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 regarding the use of serial and lot numbers for items moving through the inventory.

1. Choose the icon, enter Item Tracking Codes, and then choose the related link.
2. Choose the New action.
3. Fill in the fields as necessary. Hover over a field to read a short description.
4. On the Serial No., Lot No., and the Package Tracking 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, Lot Specific Tracking, and Package Specific Tracking fields, respectively. As a result, when you handle an outbound unit of an item with this item tracking code, you must always specify which serial number or lot number to handle. This means that when you sell a unit of the item, it must be applied against a specific pool of serial numbers or lot numbers. In other words, the serial, lot, or package number assigned to the item when it enters inventory must follow the item when it leaves inventory.

Because these setup fields cover all possible transactions with the item, the individual inbound/outbound fields are selected. However, the individual inbound and 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, you must turn on the SN Warehouse Tracking and Lot Warehouse Tracking toggles on the item tracking code that you assign to the item. The toggles are available on the Item Tracking Code Card page.

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.

1. Choose the icon, enter Item Tracking Codes, and then choose the related link.

2. Select an existing item tracking code, and then choose the Edit action.

3. On the Misc. FastTab, select the following fields:

   Field	Description
   Strict Expiration Posting	Specifies that the expiration date for the item tracking number when it entered inventory is respected when it exits inventory.
   Require Expiration 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 expire.

1. Choose the icon, enter Item Tracking Codes, and then choose the related link.

2. Select an existing item tracking code, and then choose the Edit action.

3. 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.

1. Choose the icon, enter Item, and then choose the related link.
2. Select an existing item from the list, and open the Item Card page.
3. On the Item Tracking FastTab, assign the appropriate item tracking codes and choose the Item Tracking Code, the Serial Nos., and the Lot Nos..
   1. Alternatively you can also create a new item tracking code by selecting the New action.

Related information

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

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