Today, the importance of quality is increasing in every process including production, introduction of the products to the market, reaching the consumers and usage. The compliance with the ISO standards and Backward tracking can be provided using the Serial/Lot Number Tracking System.
The functionality of tracking the production order for which a product or a commercial good is produced, the raw materials and semi finished goods used in the production process and the purchase date of the goods used is called backward tracking. Backward tracking is an important part of quality management.
The tracking transaction is important to determine the finished goods for which a defective material is used. It is easier to take precautions if the other finished goods manufactured using such raw material are known.
Each material transaction is assigned with a Lot or Serial Number during material input for backward tracking. The Output transactions for the inventory are performed according to this assigned number. Furthermore, the production order of the finished good is determined by looking at the Lot Number in the Input from Production Slip. All these transactions constitute the Lot and Serial Number Tracking System.
In the LOGO application, the backward tracking transactions can be performed by assigning either Lot Numbers or Serial Numbers.
The Tracking tab is used to define whether or not the materials will be tracked by assigning Lot/Serial Numbers. The information recorded in the Tracking tab:
Tracking Method: This field is used to specify whether lot/serial numbers will be tracked, and determine the tracking method. The Tracking method has three options:
- No Tracking
- Lot Number
- Serial Number
- Serial Group
When No Tracking is selected, the Lot/Serial Numbers for that Material are not tracked.
When Lot Number is selected, a Lot Number is displayed in the Input and Output transaction lines of the material definition.
When Serial Number is selected, Serial Numbers are assigned to the material defined in the record at the quantity of each Input and Output transaction at that given line.
When Serial Group is selected, serial numbers are assigned to the material collectively. This option increases performance and provides easiness in usage.
If Lot or Serial Number tracking is specified for the material, the slips of the material can not be recorded without entering the Lot or Serial Number. Therefore, No Tracking option must be selected in the Tracking Method field for Materials that will not be tracked.
In the LOGO application, the Lot or Serial Number information of tracked Materials are recorded on the Materials list or on the Input slips and invoices. The numbers related to Output transactions are recorded in association with the Input transactions.
The tracking method default is specified using the Tracking Method filter located in the Material Management Parameters in the Definitions menu of the Administration section. The selection made is transferred as default to the Tracking Method field of the materials.
In the LOGO application, the Tracking Method can be changed from the Material records. However, the Tracking Method of the processed Materials cannot be changed.
Divisible Lot Size: When the Tracking Method Lot Number is selected, this field can be filled in. The Lot Number is applied to any input or output quantities in the slip or invoice. However, if such quantities will be partially processed, this box should not be checked.
During Requirement Calculation: When the Tracking Method Lot Number is selected, this field can be filled in. If the Material is used in production processes, this field can be used to determine how the lot units will be used while the Requirement List is being generated. There are two options:
- Lot Unit Distributable
- Lot Unit Divisible
When the Lot Unit Distributable box is checked, the lot unit is distributed as necessary according to the quantity used in production. When the Lot Unit Divisible box is checked, the lot units are merged as necessary.