What is a lot in a warehouse?
A lot is a batch of one item produced or received together, sharing an origin and usually an expiry date, tracked so the batch can be traced or recalled.
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What a lot is
A lot, or batch, groups units of one item that were made or received at the same time. Food, drinks, chemicals, cosmetics and medical supplies usually carry a lot number and an expiry date on the pack.
When the WMS records the lot at receiving and at every move, the warehouse can answer two questions quickly. Where is the rest of this batch, and which customers received it?
Worked example
In this example, a supplier recalls lot L2405 of a yoghurt. The warehouse received 120 cases of that lot. The lot history shows 85 cases shipped on orders to 6 customers and 35 cases still in 2 locations.
The team places those 35 cases on hold and sends the list of 6 customers to the sales office the same morning.
How Waresify handles it
Lot tracking is a module on every plan. With it switched on, each lot carries an expiry date and a status of active, quarantine, expired or consumed.
Expired lots are excluded when orders are allocated, and picking follows FEFO, so the earliest expiry goes out first. If a lot is quarantined, open picks move to the next valid lot.
Questions
What is the difference between a lot and a serial number?
A lot covers many units made or received together. A serial number identifies exactly one unit. Lots suit consumables, serials suit items where each unit matters, such as electronics.
When should I switch on lot tracking?
Before stock that needs a lot arrives. Lots are captured at receiving, so switch the module on and set up your items first.