How to Set Up Item Tracking Codes in Business Central

In this how-to video from UG Expert Dave Wiser, he reviews how to set up and use Item tracking codes in Business Central.

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Key Takeaways

• Item tracking codes: Item tracking codes are essential for managing inventory by grouping items into lots, serial numbers, or packages, allowing for efficient tracking and tracing of inventory from sale back to purchase or manufacture. They also facilitate warranty tracking, with each item having a unique tracking code for precise monitoring.
• Setting up: When setting up item tracking codes for inventory management, you can specify lot or serial number tracking at the bottom of the item card under the Item Tracking fast tab. Package number tracking is assigned differently, through inventory setup. It’s important to note that once a transaction is made, changing the item tracking code is complex and it’s advised to create a new item with the desired tracking code instead.
• Creating item tracking codes: Item tracking codes are created to manage inventory transactions, with specific codes for lot, serial, or package numbers. They are set up to track items through all transactions, with the ability to specify which transactions require tracking. Understanding the difference between inbound (inventory creation) and outbound (inventory usage or deletion) entries in Business Central is crucial for setting up these codes. Once set, these codes should not be changed as they define how inventory is tracked for each transaction type.
• Example: Item tracking codes for serial numbers can be set to activate only for specific transactions, such as sales, to streamline the tracking process. For instance, a company dealing with credit card readers may choose to track serial numbers only at the point of sale, disregarding the tracking when receiving or moving stock, or during assembly, to focus on the end customer transaction.
• Package tracking: Package tracking in Business Central allows for the monitoring of packages throughout inventory, a feature that is relatively new. The Miscellaneous fast tab is utilized for managing warranties and expiration dates, with options to set warranty date formulas and require expiration dates during data entry, ensuring compliance with warranty and expiration policies. Strict expiration posting prevents the sale of items past their expiration date, maintaining product quality and safety standards. Once item tracking codes are assigned, normal inventory transactions are captured by the system, including lot and serial number tracking in warehouse entries. Business Central ensures that each serial number is unique to a single inventory item.
• Warehouse entries: Warehouse entries in Business Central allow for tracking by Bin code, enabling visibility into specific lot numbers within each Bin. Item tracking codes are essential for managing inventory, providing insights into usage patterns, and aiding in the organization of both groups of inventory and individual items.