You manage and track items using their serial numbers. A serial number is a unique identifier for a specific item. For example, you can locate a computer using its serial number. The serial number can provide additional information regarding a specific item, such as its manufacturing date, warranty data, and so on.

You create serial numbers for serial number-managed items when inventory is received, for example, from vendors. When a customer purchases serial number-managed items, you select the available serial numbers for the items and allocate them to the customer.

You can manage items by serial numbers as follows:

Inventory receipt documents are forms used to report the physical movement of items from a location, for example, a warehouse. Inventory receipt documents comprise the following types:

Inventory issue documents are forms used to report the physical movement of items from a location, for example, a warehouse. Inventory issue documents comprise the following types:

Serial numbers can be defined for all items (in the General Settings window) or per item (in the Item Master Data window). In addition, SAP Business One lets you create unique or nonunique serial, manufacturer, and lot numbers. For more information, see Viewing and Updating Serial Numbers.

Inventory management with serial numbers also includes the following tasks:

If you sell warranty-managed items, the service process starts based on the service template that you have assigned to the item. SAP Business One automatically creates a customer equipment card for serial number controlled items. For more information, see Enabling the Automatic Creation of Customer Equipment Cards.