Lot numbers from purchase to sale
Give each delivery a lot number in SeroPOS and follow that batch from the supplier to the customer. The Lot Report shows what is left of every lot, how much sold and how much was written off.
Lot tracking in SeroPOS
Lot on every purchase
Enter a lot number on each purchase line as goods arrive from the supplier.
Lot Report
See current stock, units sold, units adjusted and expiry for each lot.
Lots in opening stock
Record lots on your opening quantities so history starts complete.
Sales with purchase detail
The detailed product sell report shows the lot and supplier behind each sale.
Lots on labels and invoices
Print the lot number on barcode labels, and on invoices with the right layout.
Returns by lot
Purchase returns carry the lot, so you can send a batch back to the supplier.
Why lots matter
When a supplier recalls a batch, you need to know two things fast: how much of it you still have and whether any was sold. Without lot numbers, the honest answer is a guess. Lot tracking in SeroPOS records the batch on the way in and keeps it attached to the stock, so the answer is a report.
Food producers, pharmacies, specialty food shops and anyone selling dated or regulated goods use lots for recalls, quality complaints and supplier disputes. It also helps with quality. If customers report a problem with one product, you can check whether the complaints all come from the same lot and raise it with the supplier with the evidence in hand.
Turning on lot numbers
Turn on Enable Lot Number in Business Settings › Purchases. From then on, each line on Purchases › Add Purchase has a lot number field, alongside the manufacturing and expiry dates if expiry tracking is on. Enter the lot printed on the supplier's carton as you receive the goods. It takes seconds.
Opening stock entries can carry a lot too, so stock already on your shelves when you start is tracked the same way. Count each lot separately during your opening count, and enter them as separate opening stock lines with their own lot numbers and dates. Label each lot clearly. Then count it.
- Business Settings › Purchases › Enable Lot Number
- Enter lots on purchase lines
- Add lots to opening stock
- Check the Lot Report
Following a lot
Reports › Lot Report lists every lot with its current stock, units sold, units adjusted and expiry date, filtered by location and other criteria. In a recall, find the lot, see what is left on the shelf and pull it. It takes minutes, not hours. Nothing is guesswork. The answer is a report.
To see where sold units went, the Product Sell Report has a detailed view with purchase details, showing the purchase reference, lot number and supplier behind each sale. The Items Report follows each item from purchase to sale, with supplier, customer and dates. Between them, you can see what you bought, what you sold and what is left.
Lots on paper and back to the supplier
Print Labels can include the lot number on each barcode label, which helps staff pick the right batch from the back room. Invoice layouts can show the lot on product lines, so customers who need it, such as wholesale buyers, have it on their paperwork. It helps staff rotate stock.
If a lot has to go back, a purchase return records the lot and expiry on each line, so the supplier credit matches the batch you returned. That keeps your supplier account and your stock records in agreement, and gives you a clean paper trail if the return becomes a dispute or an insurance claim.
Frequently asked questions
How do I turn on lot tracking?
In the back office, go to Business Settings › Purchases and turn on Enable Lot Number. A lot number field then appears on each purchase line and on opening stock, and the Lot Report becomes available. Lots are then tracked from your next purchase.
Can SeroPOS help with a product recall?
Yes. The Lot Report shows how much of each lot is still in stock and how many units were sold or adjusted. The detailed Product Sell Report shows the lot and supplier behind each sale, which helps trace where a batch went.
Can I print lot numbers on labels?
Yes. Print Labels in the back office lets you include the lot number, along with the expiry and packing dates, on product barcode labels. Invoice layouts can also show the lot on each line. That helps staff pick the right batch quickly.
Do lots work with expiry dates?
Yes. When product expiry is turned on, each lot can carry its own manufacturing and expiry dates. The Lot Report shows the expiry for each lot, and the Stock Expiry Report lists stock left per lot. Use both together for dated goods.
Can I return a specific lot to the supplier?
Yes. Purchase returns record the lot number and expiry on each line, so you can return a particular batch and match the supplier's credit to it. That keeps supplier credits accurate and gives you a clear record of every batch returned.