The Workflow of a Batch Number in SAP B1

In SAP Business One Production and Logistics, I introduced serial and batch numbers. In this newsletter, I want to look deeper at where batch numbers appear. Let's look at the workflow of using batch numbers from purchasing to shipping.?

Batch numbers, which many people refer to as lot numbers, are identifiers for a group of goods made in an allotted period under similar conditions. They are frequently used in regulated items that might need a recall notice, such as food, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and the like. Batch numbers often make up part of the GS1 bar code system. so many products that are not regulated use them for logistics purposes.

For example, I'll use the pizza bites in an earlier post. Here's the Bill of Materials as a reminder:

This is a food product, so I'll assign a batch number as a finished good.?

I'll only use batch numbers on two raw materials: crackers and labels to keep the example simple. All the food item raw materials would need batch numbers in real life. On the General tab of the Item master data, I've configured in SBODemoUS my crackers like this: ?

The B10000 labels in most copies of SBODemoUS are already set for batch numbers and have several already allocated.

?If you use batch numbers for an inventory item, the Issue method must be Manual. You'll get an error if it is Backflush. ?

Next, I'll make a production order for 30 Boxes of pizza bites.?

I have no crackers, so I'll order some crackers on a purchase order.?

When I receive the crackers, I'll create a goods receipt PO,?

When I add the Goods receipt PO, I'm asked about batch numbers.?

In many cases, you have one batch number to enter here, but you may have more than one batch number due to your vendor sending you two different batches or leftovers from previous purchases. Let's suppose there are two batch numbers for the crackers, ten boxes are 020222, and the rest are 020322. I'd enter them like this.?

As I add a batch, the quantity defaults to what I have left. When I typed the first batch, SAP B1 assumes 50, but I changed it to 10. For the second batch, the system takes the 40 left.?

After adding the batch numbers, I can add the goods receipt PO. I needed a few other items, but I did that on a separate purchase order to avoid confusion.?

My released production order now looks like this:?

Since the Issue method changed to manual for a batch number, I have to issue components with Issue components manually.?

?I get a selection screen I leave blank because I want all of them.?

Issue for production shows the two manual issue items for the production order.?

When I Hit Add for the items,??I get asked about allocating batch numbers:

I can pick from two possible batch numbers. I can manually add the batch numbers by allocating 1440 from batch 020222??and clicking The?>?(move to) button.

In total needed, I need 2880 more. So I'll manually add that as well.?

Click Update to save these allocations.?

With all 4320 allocated for crackers, I do the same for Printer labels. However, this time I'll use the Auto Select button.

Auto Select starts the batch number in line 1 for as many items as possible. If it runs out, Auto Select then allocates batch numbers from each subsequent row.??

Batch numbers have date stamps. This order will be in that date order, so FIFO for batch numbers is very likely.?

Update this, press Okay to finish allocation, and add to issue these manual components.?

Once the order is complete, you can report completion with a receipt from production.?

When you hit Add, you get another batch allocation window. This one sets up a batch number for this production order.?

I'll make a batch/lot number of?22052. It defaults to the entire quantity, which I want, so I'll hit Update to allocate all 30 boxes, then hit add and Okay.?

I can now add the Receipt from production then close the production order.?

Eventually, we get a sales order for 10 Pizza bites.?I Make a delivery document when ready to ship.?

When I try to add it, I get the Batch number selection window. I can auto-select or manually select here as I did in purchasing.?

You can look at the transactions for each batch number with the Batch number transactions report found in the Inventory reports. You can run this by inventory items, so I can run this for SDL-01 to SDL-02B like this:?

Selecting the row on top shows the transactions for the batch below based on the G/L name or BP.

You've now gotten the entire workflow of batch numbers. In our next newsletter, I'll discuss how to use this data for reporting and forms, and we look at the nightmare scenario of a product recall.