The system allows you to track serial and batch information throughout your inventory lifecycle. A serial number is usually unique to every unit of stock, whereas a batch code can be shared across multiple units of stock. This tracking capability helps you maintain full traceability from goods-in through to dispatch.
Prerequisites
Important: Barcode Verified Picking must be enabled for your warehouse for batch and serial number tracking to work correctly. You can find out more in our Barcode Verified Picking help guide.
Setting up batch and serial numbers
You can add serial numbers or batch numbers for products either when you first create the product or afterwards. To add these attributes in bulk, follow our help guide. To add them on a product-by-product basis:
Click Products then Overview.
Click Actions then Edit.
Within product details, click the Attributes tab.
Toggle either or both to ON:
Product has Serial No Information - Set LogSerialInbound and LogSerialOutbound to True also.
Product has Batch Information - Set LogBatchInbound and LogBatchOutbound to True also.
Click Save.
Now that this has been enabled, each time stock for that product is booked in or out, the expiry date will need to be provided.
Understanding product attribute flags
There are two types of settings for each attribute type:
Product has [Attribute] Information (e.g., 'Product has Batch Information')
This indicates the product can have this attribute.
Turning this ON allows the attribute to be tracked.
LogInbound and LogOutbound flags (e.g., 'LogBatchInbound', 'LogBatchOutbound')
LogInbound = TRUE: Attribute must be provided when receiving stock (goods-in, ASNs, book inventory).
LogOutbound = TRUE: Attribute must be scanned or entered when picking orders.
Both must be set to TRUE if you want to track an attribute throughout the full lifecycle.
Example
If you set 'Product has Batch Information' = ON, but leave LogBatchInbound = FALSE:
You can enter batch numbers during receiving, but it's optional.
Batch numbers won't be required during picking.
If you set 'Product has Batch Information' = ON, LogBatchInbound = TRUE, LogBatchOutbound = TRUE:
You must enter batch numbers when receiving stock.
You must scan or verify batch numbers when picking orders.
The system will prevent you from proceeding without this information.
What happens when attributes are required
When you enable LogInbound or LogOutbound flags:
During receiving (goods-in, ASNs, book inventory)
If LogSerialInbound = TRUE: You cannot proceed without entering a serial number.
If LogBatchInbound = TRUE: You cannot proceed without entering a batch number.
Error message example: 'Error: Batch number required for product [SKU]'.
During picking
If LogSerialOutbound = TRUE: You cannot mark an item as picked without scanning or verifying the serial number.
If LogBatchOutbound = TRUE: You cannot mark an item as picked without scanning or verifying the batch number.
The mobile app will prompt you for these attributes before allowing you to proceed.
Important: This validation ensures complete traceability but requires warehouse staff to have this information available during receiving and picking operations. Common scenarios leading to errors include missing or incorrectly entered tracking attributes, such as Best Before Dates, Batch Numbers, or Serial Numbers, which can halt inventory updates until resolved.
Note about expiry dates
Expiry dates can be tracked alongside (or separately from) batch and serial numbers. If your product requires expiry date tracking:
Enable 'Product has Expiry Date' in the Attributes tab.
Set LogExpiryDateInbound and LogExpiryDateOutbound to TRUE.
During receiving and picking, users will be prompted to enter or scan the expiry date.
For detailed information about expiry date handling, including date formats and best before dates, see: Product Attributes - Best Before/Expiry Date.
Entering attribute information
When prompted for batch numbers, serial numbers, or expiry dates, you have multiple options:
Scan individual attributes
Some products have separate barcodes for batch numbers or serial numbers.
Scan each barcode when prompted for that specific attribute.
Manual keyboard entry
Type the batch number, serial number, or expiry date manually.
Useful when barcodes are damaged or not available.
The Mobile App will accept either scanner input or keyboard input in all attribute fields.
Scanning barcodes and logging batch or serial numbers
After you've successfully scanned a barcode and a product has a serial or batch flag, you'll be required to scan or log this also. The data is then stored in the order history.
Reporting on batch and serial numbers
Viewing orders with attributes
To view all orders containing an attribute:
Click Reports then Overview.
Click Barcode Verification Report.
Another report you can use is the Product Usage Report:
Click Reports then Overview.
Click Product Usage Report and turn on Include Extra Info.
You can search for specific batch codes or serial numbers.
If you're not using barcode scanning to track serial numbers or batch codes, to view the relevant information:
Open the order history by clicking Orders, Overview.
Search for the order.
Click View order.
Click the History tab.
Viewing products in stock with attributes
If you want to see all products currently booked in with their attributes (serial number, batch number or expiry date), use the Products In Locations report. This will show you all the products currently booked in along with their attributes.
Click Reports then Overview.
Click Products In Locations.
You can search for specific batch codes or serial numbers.
Selecting specific stock when manually inputting orders
Note: When manually creating orders in Frontend Mintsoft, you can use the 'Specific Stock' feature to allocate orders to specific batches or serial numbers. This is useful for FIFO (First In, First Out) management or when a customer requests a specific batch number. To learn more, review this article.
Frequently asked questions
Can we log attributes on the inbound but not on the outbound?
To use Product Attributes (batch and/or serial number), both inbound and outbound settings must be set to TRUE. If a product is booked in with attributes, it must also be booked out with attributes.
What picking methods are supported?
Batch and serial number logging is supported across multiple picking methods in the Access Mintsoft Mobile App, including:
Standard order picking.
Batch picking.
Multi-tote batch picking.
Flexi Pick.
Attribute logging is also supported during:
ASN receiving (Mobile App only).
Book Inventory (both Mobile App and Frontend).
Can I book in inventory with serial numbers?
Yes, you can book in inventory with serial numbers using:
1. ASNs (Advance Ship Notices) - Mobile App only
Create the ASN in Frontend Mintsoft.
Use the Mobile App to receive the ASN.
Serial numbers, batch numbers, and expiry dates can be captured during mobile receiving.
Note: ASN receiving with attributes is currently only supported on the Mobile App, not in the Frontend Mintsoft interface.
2. Book Inventory - both Mobile App and Frontend
Use the 'Book Inventory' function on either platform.
Enter serial numbers, batch numbers, and/or expiry dates as required.
This method works for both frontend and mobile workflows.
Tip: For high-volume receiving with attributes, using the Mobile App for ASN receiving is the most efficient method.
Can I add missing attributes to existing stock?
Once stock has been booked into Mintsoft, the batch or serial number cannot be added or modified. To correctly update the attributes of the stock record, you must first book the stock out and then book it back in with the appropriate batch or serial number. To prevent such issues, always verify SKU requirements through the ‘UnAllocated’ tab in advance to confirm all necessary tracking data is in place before booking inventory.