V9 - Using serial items on build and process transactions


 

View V9 Video tutorial - Serialized inventory on transactions for a demonstration of how serial items are handled on builds. The same procedure applies to processes.

 

A serial number for each serial unit used as an input item and/or produced as an output must be entered in build and process transactions. The presence of an S/N (serial number) field in the Description column indicates that it is a serial item.

 

As shown in the screenshot of sample Build 429207 below, the output item, Awesome Headset, and an input, Resonator for headset, are serial-tracked. The headset needs enough serial numbers to match the value entered in its Qty to build, while the resonator needs enough serial numbers to match the Total in build quantity.

 

The presence of an S/N field in the Description column of an item indicates it is serial-tracked. The quantity of serial numbers needed must match the quantities specified for the inputs and output.

 

The procedure for completing the S/N field for an input is different from what is required for an output. The subsections below address how serial numbers are handled for each. 

 

Production transaction input items: Matching existing serial numbers to their serial inputs

In the Inputs section of build and process transactions, you must specify which serial-numbered units you are pulling from inventory to use in production.

 

Using our previous example of Build 429207, 25 units of the serial-tracked input, Resonator for headset, are required to produce 25 Awesome Headsets. The S/N field's format_list_bulleted icon, as shown in the screenshot below, opens a pop-up window that allows you to match the serial numbers in the system with those of the units you are using in production.  

 

To choose the serial numbers that match the unit which apply to the transaction, select the icon along the right side of the S/N field.

 

Below are the steps for matching serial numbers with serial units, based on the method you are using (manual entry, scanning, or CSV upload). 

  • Entering serial numbers manually.
  1. Select the format_list_bulleted icon in the S/N field of the Description column. 
  2. In the Select/upload serial numbers pop-up window, type a serial number (or the first few digits of it) in the Available column's Search bar (see example in the screenshot below). One or more serial numbers will appear in the Available column heading in gray ovals.
  3. Click the oval that matches the number of the serial unit being used in your manufacturing. This will move the serial number from the Available column to the Selected column.
  4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 as often as needed until you have selected all the serial numbers of the serial units. An example of how the pop-up appears when some (but not all) serial numbers have been selected is shown below. The serial number prefix jmb was manually entered in the search bar, displaying all relevant serial numbers in the Available column. The Selected column heading shows that, so far, only 13 of the 25 serial numbers needed have been selected. 


     
  5. The quantity of serial numbers listed in the Selected column heading should match the quantity of the serial item in the transaction. In this case, when completed, the heading should read Selected (25 of 25). Once you have selected all the needed serial numbers, the ones in the Available column are grayed out.
  6. When finished, select Done.
     
  • Scanning serial numbers.
  1. Select the format_list_bulleted icon in the S/N field of the Description column. This will open the Select/upload serial numbers pop-up window. All serial number options for that unit at that location will be displayed in the Available column.
  2. Place the cursor in the Available column's Search bar and scan the barcode of a serial unit. This places the serial number in the search bar and then limits the Available column to just that serial number.
  3. Click the gray ovals containing the serial number to move it to the Selected column.
  4. Clear the search bar.
  5. Repeat Steps 2-4 until the quantity of serial numbers listed in the Selected heading matches the transaction's Total to build quantity for the serial input item.
  6. When finished, select Done.
     
  • Uploading a CSV file. 
  1. Select the format_list_bulleted icon in the S/N field of the Description column.
  2. In the Select/upload serial numbers pop-up window, select Upload CSV
  3. In the Upload serial numbers pop-up window, select the Choose serial number file and import button.
  4. Select the CSV file of serial numbers that you want to upload.
  5. The serial numbers will populate the Enter/upload serial numbers pop-up window.
  6. The quantity of serial numbers listed in the Entered heading should match the quantity of the item in the transaction.
  7. When finished, select Done.

 

Once the number of serial numbers in the Selected column heading indicates the quantity matches that specified in the transaction, the Available column's Search bar and serial numbers will be grayed out. You will not be able to select any more numbers.

 

When you select Done, the Select/upload serial numbers pop-up window closes, and SOS Inventory will populate the transaction's S/N field with the numbers you selected. Only a few numbers are visible in the S/N field. But you can view all numbers for that serial item by using the Quick view action.

 

Production output items: Creating and assigning serial numbers to finished goods

For output items, SOS Inventory offers multiple methods for assigning serial numbers to finished goods:

 

  • Using auto-generated serial numbers. The easiest and most commonly used method to get serial numbers for manufactured items is simply to let SOS Inventory do the work for you. When you check the Auto serial/lot numbers box on the build or process transaction, the S/N field box for the output(s) is hidden, as shown for output item Awesome Headsets in the sample build transaction below. When the transaction is saved, SOS Inventory will generate enough serial numbers to match the quantity listed in the item's Qty to build column.

    If the Auto serial/lot numbers box is checked, the S/N (serial number) field in the output item's Description column disappears. SOS will create system-generated numbers upon saving the transaction.

    The serial numbers are generated according to the automated serial number specifications established by your company under the General inventory settings (Tools & settings > ConfigurationInventory > General). When the transaction is saved and reopened, the S/N field reappears, displaying the auto-generated serial numbers. 

    SOS generates auto serial numbers when the build or process transaction is saved. When the transaction is reopened, the numbers appear in the S/N field.
     
  • Scanning the output item barcodes. If you have barcode labels for your output items, you can scan the barcodes into the build or process transaction.
  1. Select the format_list_bulleted icon in the S/N field of the Description column.
  2. Place your cursor in the Add bar of the Enter/upload serial numbers pop-up window, then scan the barcodes as you normally would. The serial numbers will populate the pop-up window in gray ovals.
  3. The quantity of serial numbers listed in the Entered heading should match the quantity of the item in the transaction.
  4. When finished, select Done.
     
  • Uploading a CSV file. 
  1. Select the format_list_bulleted icon in the S/N field of the Description column.
  2. In the Enter/upload serial numbers pop-up window, select Upload CSV
  3. In the Upload serial numbers pop-up window, select the Choose serial number file and import button.
  4. Select the CSV file of your serial numbers that you want to upload.
  5. The serial numbers will populate the Enter/upload serial numbers pop-up window.
  6. The quantity of serial numbers listed in the Entered heading should match the quantity of the item in the transaction.
  7. When the quantities match, select Done.
     
  • Entering the serial numbers manually.
  1. Select the format_list_bulleted icon in the S/N field of the Description column.
  2. In the pop-up window, type a serial number in the Add bar, then select the Add button (or hit Enter on your keyboard). The serial number will appear under the Entered heading in a gray oval. 
  3. Repeat Step 2 as often as needed. The quantity of serial numbers listed in the Entered heading should match the quantity of the item in the transaction.
  4. When finished, select Done.

 

 

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