Inventory & Lot Management
The Inventory & Lot Management feature provides advanced lot number tracking, item availability reporting, and enhanced inventory management capabilities that extend Business Central's standard inventory functionality.
🎯 Overview
This feature significantly enhances Business Central's inventory and lot tracking capabilities with advanced lot number management, comprehensive item availability reporting, enhanced transfer order support, and sophisticated lot-based inventory analysis tools.
✨ Key Features
Advanced Lot Number Management
- Enhanced Lot Tracking: Advanced lot number tracking across all inventory transactions
- Lot Description Management: Automatic lot description population and management
- Sales Lot Number Retrieval: Advanced lot number retrieval for sales processes
- Cross-Document Lot Tracking: Lot tracking across multiple document types
Item Availability by Lot
- Detailed Lot Availability: Comprehensive item availability reporting by lot number
- Real-Time Availability: Real-time lot availability checking and validation
- Multi-Location Support: Lot availability across multiple inventory locations
- Reservation Integration: Integration with item reservation and lot tracking
Transfer Order Enhancements
- Transfer Lot Management: Enhanced lot number handling in transfer orders
- Lot-Based Transfer Planning: Planning transfer orders based on lot availability
- Transfer Receipt Integration: Seamless lot tracking from shipment to receipt
- Inter-Location Lot Tracking: Complete lot traceability across locations
Enhanced Tracking Specifications
- Automatic Description Population: Automatic population of tracking specification descriptions
- Lot Information Integration: Integration with lot number information records
- Enhanced Validation: Advanced validation for lot number specifications
- Cross-Reference Management: Enhanced cross-reference handling for lot tracking
📋 Setup Instructions
1. Lot Number Tracking Setup
Enable Advanced Lot Tracking
- Open Item Tracking Codes from the search
- Configure enhanced lot tracking:
Code: LOT_ADVANCED Description: Advanced Lot Tracking Lot Specific Tracking: Yes Lot Warehouse Tracking: Yes Use Expiration Dates: Yes (if applicable)
Configure Item Tracking
- For each item requiring lot tracking:
Item Card → Item Tracking Code: LOT_ADVANCED Enable automatic lot number assignment if required Set up lot number series if using automatic numbering
2. Lot Information Management
Set Up Lot Number Information
- Navigate to Lot No. Information from the search
- Create lot records with descriptions:
Item No.: ITEM001 Variant Code: (if applicable) Lot No.: LOT-2024-001 Description: "Premium Quality - Batch A"
Configure Automatic Description Population
- The system automatically populates tracking specification descriptions
- Configure lot description rules in item tracking setup
- Set up validation for lot descriptions
3. Transfer Order Configuration
Enable Transfer Lot Management
- Open Transfer Routes and configure lot tracking
- Set up transfer order templates with lot requirements:
Transfer Route: MAIN-BRANCH Lot Tracking Required: Yes Validate Lot Numbers: Yes
Configure Transfer Posting
- Set up lot tracking for transfer posting:
Transfer Order → Lines → Item Tracking Specify lot numbers for transfer Validate lot availability before shipment
4. Inventory Location Setup
Configure Locations for Lot Tracking
- For each location using lot tracking:
Location Card: Require Pick: Yes (if using warehouse management) Require Shipment: Yes (if using warehouse management) Bin Mandatory: Yes (for detailed lot tracking)
Set Up Bin Management with Lots
- Configure bin management for lot-specific inventory:
Bin Content: Item No.: ITEM001 Lot No.: LOT-2024-001 Quantity: Current lot quantity
🔧 Configuration Options
Lot Tracking Methods
| Method | Description | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Manual | User manually assigns lot numbers | Full control over lot assignment |
| Automatic | System automatically assigns lots | High-volume processing |
| Semi-Automatic | System suggests, user confirms | Balance of control and efficiency |
| FEFO | First Expired, First Out | Perishable items |
Availability Calculation Options
| Option | Description | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| On Hand | Physical inventory only | Current stock levels |
| Available | On hand minus reservations | Available for new orders |
| Projected | Future availability | Planned receipts and issues |
| Total | Complete availability picture | All inventory movements |
Transfer Tracking Levels
| Level | Description | Tracking Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Standard transfer tracking | Document-level tracking |
| Enhanced | Lot-specific transfer tracking | Lot-level detail |
| Complete | Full traceability | End-to-end tracking |
| Audit | Comprehensive audit trail | Regulatory compliance |
💡 Business Benefits
Enhanced Traceability
- Complete Lot History: Full traceability from receipt to sale
- Quality Management: Track quality issues back to specific lots
- Recall Management: Efficient product recall processes
- Compliance: Meet regulatory traceability requirements
Improved Inventory Control
- Accurate Availability: Real-time lot-specific availability
- Expiration Management: Track and manage expiring lots
- Location Optimization: Optimize inventory across locations
- Waste Reduction: Reduce waste through better lot management
Operational Efficiency
- Automated Processes: Reduce manual lot tracking effort
- Error Reduction: Prevent lot tracking errors
- Faster Processing: Streamlined lot-based transactions
- Better Planning: Improved inventory planning with lot visibility
📊 Usage Examples
Example 1: Sales Order Lot Assignment
Scenario: Customer order for tracked item
Item: PHARMA_001 (Pharmaceutical product)
Quantity Ordered: 100 units
Available Lots:
- LOT-2024-A: 60 units (Exp: 12/2024)
- LOT-2024-B: 80 units (Exp: 03/2025)
FEFO Logic Applied:
1. Assign 60 units from LOT-2024-A (expires first)
2. Assign 40 units from LOT-2024-B
3. Complete order with proper lot tracking
Example 2: Transfer Order with Lot Tracking
Scenario: Transfer inventory between locations
From Location: MAIN
To Location: BRANCH
Item: ELECTRONIC_001
Transfer Quantity: 50 units
Lot Selection:
- LOT-E-001: 30 units → Transfer all
- LOT-E-002: 20 units → Transfer partial
Result:
- Transfer Shipment: Lots properly tracked
- Transfer Receipt: Lots received and verified
- Inventory: Updated at both locations
Example 3: Item Availability by Lot Report
Report Parameters:
Item Filter: FOOD_* (all food items)
Location Filter: ALL
Date Filter: Current + 30 days
Report Output:
Item: FOOD_001
- LOT-F-001: 120 units (Exp: 15 days)
- LOT-F-002: 80 units (Exp: 25 days)
- LOT-F-003: 200 units (Exp: 45 days)
Action Required: Prioritize sale of LOT-F-001
Example 4: Lot Description Auto-Population
Setup:
Lot No. Information Record:
- Item: WIDGET_001
- Lot No.: W-2024-Q1
- Description: "Q1 2024 Production - Grade A"
Result:
When W-2024-Q1 is selected in any tracking specification:
- Description automatically populated
- Users see meaningful lot identification
- Consistent lot descriptions across all transactions
🔍 Troubleshooting
Common Issues
Lot Numbers Not Appearing
Problem: Lot numbers not showing in item tracking Solution:
- Verify item tracking code is assigned to item
- Check lot number information records exist
- Ensure proper permissions for item tracking
- Verify lot numbers have positive quantity
Transfer Lot Tracking Issues
Problem: Lot numbers not transferring between locations Solution:
- Check transfer route configuration for lot tracking
- Verify lot numbers exist at source location
- Ensure proper item tracking setup on transfer lines
- Check warehouse management settings if applicable
Availability Calculation Problems
Problem: Incorrect lot availability calculations Solution:
- Verify lot number entries are properly posted
- Check for pending reservations on lots
- Review calculation settings for availability
- Ensure all inventory movements are properly tracked
Description Population Failures
Problem: Lot descriptions not automatically populating Solution:
- Check lot number information setup
- Verify lot numbers match exactly
- Ensure proper variant codes if applicable
- Review item tracking code configuration
📈 Reporting & Analytics
Available Lot Reports
- Item Availability by Lot: Detailed lot availability across all locations
- Lot Traceability Report: Complete lot history and movement
- Expiration Management Report: Lots approaching expiration
- Transfer Lot Analysis: Lot movement analysis between locations
Key Performance Indicators
- Lot tracking accuracy rates
- Inventory turnover by lot
- Expiration waste reduction
- Transfer efficiency with lot tracking
Analytical Capabilities
- Lot Age Analysis: Track lot ages and turnover
- Quality Analysis: Link quality issues to specific lots
- Cost Analysis: Cost tracking by lot for detailed costing
- Compliance Reporting: Regulatory compliance reporting by lot
🔧 Advanced Configuration
Complex Lot Tracking Scenarios
- Multi-Level Tracking: Tracking through multiple production levels
- Component Lot Tracking: Track component lots through assembly
- Cross-Reference Tracking: Link lots to external references
- Quality Integration: Integration with quality management systems
Automation Features
- Auto-Assignment Rules: Automatic lot assignment based on business rules
- FEFO Automation: Automatic first-expired-first-out processing
- Reservation Automation: Automatic lot reservation for orders
- Alert Management: Automatic alerts for expiring lots
Integration Capabilities
- Warehouse Management: Full integration with warehouse processes
- Quality Management: Integration with quality control systems
- Production Planning: Lot planning in production scenarios
- External Systems: Integration with external tracking systems
🔗 Related Features
- Document Management - Document attachments for lot-related documents
- Journal Management - Lot tracking in inventory journals
- Intercompany - Intercompany lot tracking
- Data Validation - Lot number validation controls
For additional support or feature requests, contact Linc Communications technical support.