Lot Tracking and Traceability

A traceability system is essential for efficient and sustainable production. It ensures efficiency, accuracy, visibility and security and provides real-time information that can be shared by producers, suppliers, distributors and retailers at any stage of the chain.

It can examine all retrospective records within itself, from the date of shipment of the product, warehouse exit, final control, the machine where the product is produced, the operator using the machine, intermediate controls, the entry of the raw materials and auxiliary materials used into the warehouse and input controls, and even the supplier companies from which those raw materials and auxiliary materials are purchased. Thus, if there are any faulty transactions, etc. with the help of this system, it can easily identify the problem within itself and develop measures to prevent its recurrence.

When the concept of traceability is considered in terms of management systems in general, it means that a product or service can be traced backwards.

Traceability happens in two ways: By lot and by serial number. A lot number (also referred to as a batch number in some sources) refers to products produced at a single time. Products produced on machine A, for example on July 26, are assigned a single lot number. If the production quantity is 500, all 500 products are assigned the same lot number. The model number should not be confused with the lot number. A model number is a number that remains the same even if the production machine and times change, it can be thought of as a brand.

The other tracking option, the serial number, is a number given separately for each product produced. Even if the products are produced on the same machine, by the same operator or on the same day, the serial numbers will be different.

The other tracking option, serial number, is a number given separately for each product produced. Even if the products are produced by the same machine, the same operator or on the same day, the serial numbers are different from each other.

When lot and serial number come together, retrospective traceability of all products sold by the company is ensured. Let's give an example: You are driving your car and you notice a problem with one of the tires. Although you inflated the tires a short while ago, you noticed that the air was deflated after a while. Since this is a manufacturing defect, the manufacturer will take it back and give you a new one.

After the company gives you a new product, it will need lot and serial number tracking to understand what caused the problem with the old tire. Thanks to the lot and serial number, you can access information such as the date, shift, operator and time the product was produced and the raw materials used in its production. The production processes of the product may be smooth and the raw materials used may have been a problem. As can be seen in the example we have given, detailed analysis of the reasons for the return of the products produced is possible thanks to lot and serial number tracking.

There is no specific rule when assigning lot and serial numbers to products. The company can give lot and serial numbers in any format so that they can be tracked. An example lot number can be IA-23092018-001 and serial number can be 0444232322.

Trex software also allows detailed lot, serial and barcode based tracking on both desktop software and operator panel. Operators can select lot and serial numbers and scan barcodes on touch screens extremely easily and quickly. Since the process is carried out directly at the panel, no errors are encountered in traceability.

Since the operator who produces the individual product performs operations on the panels, you can track more detailed traceability from the ERP software in the DCAS Production Data Collection system.