Efficient warehouse management is the backbone of a successful supply chain. Two essential components, unit types and lot codes, have revolutionized the way warehouses handle inventory tracking. Unit types represent standardized containers for packaging inventory, while lot codes provide crucial information about a product’s origin, processing, and manufacturing batch. Together, these systems ensure accurate inventory management and contribute to maintaining an effective supply chain.

Unit Types in Warehouse Management

In a warehouse, units of inventory are categorized into different types, such as pallets, boxes, cartons, sleeves, or cups. These unit types serve as standardized containers that hold products. They can be hierarchical, meaning that smaller units can be grouped into larger ones, providing flexibility in managing inventory. For instance, a pallet may contain multiple cartons, and each carton may contain several sleeves or cups.

The unit types chosen in a warehouse management system depend on various factors, including the nature of the products, customer requirements, and regulatory guidelines. Some customers may prefer to purchase products in specific unit types, while others may have options to choose from multiple types. Unit types may also differ in the information they carry. Certain types may have unique serial numbers assigned to them for better traceability and accountability, while others may not require such identification.

One of the significant advantages of unit types is their customization potential. WMS can be tailored to meet specific client requirements, allowing them to define and configure unit types according to their needs. This customization ensures the inventory management system aligns with the characteristics of the products and workflows of the warehouse.

Lot Codes for Product Information

Lot numbers are alphanumeric codes used to identify specific batches or lots of products. They provide information about the origin, processing, and manufacturing of a particular product. Lot numbers are essential for quality control, safety recalls, tracking output, and reporting purposes. By associating products with lot numbers, warehouses can maintain product integrity throughout the supply chain.

Unit types within a warehouse may have distinct lot types associated with them. For instance, perishable goods like food may have lot numbers indicating the farm lot where they were grown or the date of harvesting. Manufactured goods may have lot numbers that represent the batch where they were created. By utilizing lot numbers, products are monitored and issues can be traced back to a specific batch or lot.

The hierarchical structure also allows for better traceability. Each smaller unit can be traced back through the lot codes of its parent units. This tracing is very valuable when dealing with recalls or when investigating quality issues. It allows warehouses to pinpoint the exact source of a problem and take action quickly, whether that involves removing specific units from circulation or conducting targeted inspections.

The SalesWarp Solution

By leveraging unit types and the traceability enabled by lot codes, warehouses can maintain accurate inventory records. SalesWarp offers a solution that utilizes unit types, lot codes, and other critical functionalities, providing businesses with a 360-degree view of their inventory and supply chain operations. Learn how SalesWarp can transform your business, schedule a demo today.