Understanding Serial Number Processing

You use serial numbers to uniquely identify a single item and track it through the system. Serial numbers can help track information for a specific part, such as when it arrived in the warehouse, when it was received, when and to whom it was sold, and when it was shipped.

Depending on serial number requirements, you can add serial numbers to the branch/plant at the time you receive an item. When you sell the item, you must enter the serial number during order entry and verify the serial number during shipment confirmation.

In other instances, you can add serial numbers to the system when you ship the products. For example, you can enter a serial number during shipment confirmation to identify a warranty period for an item. To assign serial numbers within the branch/plant, you access the Basic Serial Numbers program (P4220).

The functionality for serial number processing is an enhancement to lot processing. The system processes serial numbers as lots with a quantity of one. A lot with the quantity of one is the lowest traceable unit. To trace and track the serial numbers through the distribution system, you can use these lot information programs:

• Lot Master (P4108).

• Location Revisions (P41024).

• Lot Master Availability (P41280).

• Item Ledger Inquiry (CARDEX) (P4111).

• Lot Track & Trace Inquiry (P41203).

The system maintains serial number information in these tables:

• Item Master (F4101)

• Item Branch File (F4102)

• Item Location File (F41021)

• Lot Master (F4108)

• Item Ledger File (F4111)