Lot and serial number tracking
Also called lot tracking, lot traceability
Reviewed by Dasha ShakovVP Marketing, Proton
Updated
What is lot and serial number tracking?
Lot and serial number tracking is recording which production batch (lot) or which individual unit (serial number) of a product went to which customer. It lets a distributor find every affected customer quickly when a manufacturer recalls a lot, and is expected in food, chemical, medical and safety products.
How it works
Lot tracking is captured at receiving and again at picking, so the ERP or WMS knows which lot left on which order. Products with expiration dates are often picked first expired, first out (FEFO), a variant of FIFO that ships the soonest-to-expire stock first.
Lot and serial number tracking example
A manufacturer recalls one lot of disinfectant. The distributor’s lot records show it went to 14 customers on 19 orders, and each gets a call that afternoon.
Related terms
- First in, first out (FIFO)First in, first out (FIFO) is an inventory method that assumes the oldest stock is sold first.
- Receiving and putawayReceiving and putaway are the warehouse steps that bring a supplier’s delivery into stock and make it available to sell.
- Safety data sheet (SDS)A safety data sheet (SDS) is a standardized document that describes a chemical product’s hazards and how to handle, store and dispose of it safely.
- Warehouse management system (WMS)A warehouse management system (WMS) is software that directs and tracks the work inside a warehouse, from receiving and putaway to picking and shipping.
