How to choose between lots and serial numbers¶
Use lots when many identical units are produced or bought together and you only need to know which batch they came from (food, drinks, fabric). Use serial numbers when each unit must be followed on its own, for example for warranty or after-sales service (laptops, motorbikes, appliances). You choose per product in the Track Inventory field of the product form.
Who |
Inventory Administrator |
App |
Inventory |
Before you start
Install the Inventory app.
What is the difference between a lot and a serial number?¶
Lot number |
Serial number |
|
|---|---|---|
Identifies |
A batch of identical units |
One single unit |
Units per number |
Many (the quantity of the lot) |
Always one |
Typical products |
Food, beverages, cosmetics, fabric, chemicals |
Phones, laptops, motorbikes, appliances, equipment |
Typical use |
Recall a faulty batch, follow expiration dates, find the origin of a defect |
Warranty, after-sales service, anti-counterfeiting, asset follow-up |
Choice in Track Inventory |
By Lots |
By Unique Serial Number |
When should I use lot numbers?¶
Lots suit goods in large quantity where you want reports, quality control and the ability to find the batch behind a manufacturing fault. If a batch is defective, you can see which customers received it and ask them to return or replace the goods. Lots also carry the expiration dates of the batch.
Lots are not worth the effort for cheap consumables with almost no returns, such as pens or paper.
When should I use serial numbers?¶
Serial numbers suit products with a warranty or after-sales service. The history of the unit, from receipt to delivery and after-sales, stays attached to its serial number, which also helps to detect counterfeit or stolen goods.
Do not track every single item of low value, for example each sweet in a packet.
How do I turn tracking on for a product?¶
Go to Inventory ‣ Configuration ‣ Settings and tick Lots & Serial Numbers in the Traceability block. Click Save.
Open the product in Inventory ‣ Products ‣ Products, tick Track Inventory on the General Information tab and choose By Lots or By Unique Serial Number.
The detailed steps are in How to track products by lot number and How to track products by serial number.
Next steps¶
Version notes¶
When the Inventory app is installed, the lot or serial number form also shows the Customer, Supplier and Service State of the lot.