Batch Management

Batch Management

Batch Management enables businesses to track inventory by individual batches or lots throughout the inventory lifecycle. By recording batch information during inventory transactions, Numera provides full inventory traceability from supplier receipt through customer delivery, supporting quality control, regulatory compliance, product recalls, and inventory visibility.

Batch Management is available for inventory items and integrates with purchasing, sales, inventory management, and transfer processes. It helps businesses:

• Track inventory by batch or lot
• Manage expiration dates
• Support product recalls
• Improve inventory traceability
• Comply with industry regulations
• Support quality management processes
• Control inventory allocation strategies

Prerequisites

Batch functionality is available only when the Inventory Management module is enabled for the tenant.

Enabling Batch Management for an Item

Batch Management is configured at the Item Master level. Items that require batch tracking must be flagged individually.

How Batch Management Works

When Batch Management is enabled for an item:

• Batch information can be entered during inventory transactions
• Batch balances are maintained by location
• Inventory movements are tracked by batch
• Traceability information becomes available
• Allocation strategies can use batch information

Batch Data

Each batch may contain the following information.

Batch Requirements by Transaction Type

Batch requirements vary depending on the transaction being processed.

Orders

Inbound Orders — Batch information is optional. Users may enter batch information in advance when known. Benefits include a faster receiving process, improved planning, and reduced data entry during goods receipt.

Outbound Orders — Batch information is optional. Users may pre-select batches when inventory reservations are known in advance.

Deliveries

For both Inbound Deliveries and Outbound Deliveries, batch information becomes required when confirming the document. Draft documents may be saved without batch information.

Transfer Orders

Batch information becomes required when confirming the transfer. Draft transfers may be saved without complete batch information.

Batch Status Indicator

For batch-managed items, Numera displays a batch status indicator directly in the quantity field of transaction lines. The indicator provides immediate visibility into batch completeness.

Automatic Batch Carry Forward

Batch information entered during the ordering process can automatically flow into subsequent inventory transactions.

Benefits include:

• Reduced manual entry
• Improved accuracy
• Faster receiving process

Viewing Batch Information

Batch information is visible directly from transaction documents. Supported documents include Inbound Orders, Outbound Orders, Inbound Deliveries, Outbound Deliveries, and Transfer Orders.

Expanding Order Lines

Users can expand transaction lines to view associated batch information. Displayed information may include:

• Batch Number
• Quantity
• Production Date
• Expiration Date
• Quality Status

Batch Allocation Strategies

Numera supports automatic batch allocation during inventory transactions. The allocation strategy is configured at tenant level via Client Settings → Inventory Settings → Batch Allocation Method. Supported methods are FIFO, FEFO, and Manual Selection.

FIFO Allocation

First In, First Out allocates inventory from the oldest available batch first.

Typical use cases:

• General inventory
• Warehousing
• Distribution businesses
• Manufacturing

FEFO Allocation

First Expired, First Out allocates inventory from the batch with the earliest expiration date.

Typical use cases:

• Food products
• Pharmaceuticals
• Cosmetics
• Regulated products

Manual Batch Selection

Users may manually choose batches during inventory transactions. Manual selection can override automatic allocation rules. Typical scenarios:

• Quality issues
• Customer-specific requirements
• Product recalls
• Inventory investigations

Batch Traceability

Batch traceability enables users to identify where inventory originated and where it was subsequently used or sold.

Forward Traceability

Tracks inventory from supplier receipt to customer delivery.

Questions answered:

• Which customers received a specific batch?
• Which deliveries contained a batch?
• Which inventory remains available?

Backward Traceability

Tracks inventory from customer delivery back to the originating supplier batch.

Questions answered:

• Which supplier provided the batch?
• When was it received?
• Which delivery created inventory for the batch?

Recall Management

Batch traceability supports product recall processes.

Benefits:

• Faster response times
• Reduced business risk
• Improved regulatory compliance

Batch Inventory Visibility

Users can review inventory balances by batch. Available information may include:

• Batch Number
• Location
• Available Quantity
• Production Date
• Expiration Date
• Quality Status

This information is available through Inventory Overview and related inventory reports.

Quality Management

Optional quality information can be maintained at batch level. Examples include:

• Released
• Quarantined
• Blocked
• Pending Inspection

Quality status can help businesses control inventory availability and support quality assurance procedures.

Best Practices

Related Documentation

Key Concepts

• Batch Management requires Inventory Management.
• Batch tracking is enabled individually per item.
• Batch information may be optional or required depending on transaction type and status.
• Visual indicators show batch completeness directly on transaction lines.
• Batch data can be carried forward from Orders to Deliveries.
• FIFO, FEFO, and Manual allocation strategies are supported.
• Batch traceability supports quality control and regulatory compliance.
• Forward and backward traceability reports are available.
• Batch tracking supports product recall processes.
• Inventory balances can be analyzed by batch and location.