Serial Controlled Items

Serial Controlled Items

A Serial Number is a unique number assigned to each discrete unit of an item that is stored in inventory. A serial number can also be defined as a set of characters that uniquely identifies a single unit and can be used for traceability and warranty purposes.

Serial numbers are valuable in quality control, as once a defect is found in the production of a particular batch of product, the serial number will quickly identify which units are affected. Serial numbers are also used as a deterrent against theft and counterfeit products in that serial numbers can be recorded, and stolen or otherwise irregular goods can be identified.

Oracle Inventory provides complete serial number support for inventory transactions. Serial number control can be enabled for specific items in inventory. For items under serial number control, a unique serial numbers is assigned to each individual unit and thereafter the same serial numbers is referenced each time a material transaction is performed.

Serial Number Uniqueness

A Serial Number must be unique so that it can be tracked. Uniqueness of Serial Numbers can be enforced at various levels. This is defined at the inventory organization level.

Within Inventory Items
Once a serial number is assigned to a particular item, it cannot be assigned to the same item regardless of the inventory organization. For example if serial number SN100 is assigned to item A, serial number SN100 cannot be assigned to any other instance of item A in any other inventory organization.

Within Organizations
In addition to the restrictions Within Inventory Items control, the same serial number cannot exist twice within the same organization. For example if serial number SN100 is assigned to item A, it cannot be assigned to Item B in the same inventory organization. However, SN100 can be assigned to item B in any other organization.

Across Organizations
In addition to the restrictions Within Organizations, once a serial number is assigned to an item, it cannot be assigned to any other item regardless of organization. For example if serial number SN100 is assigned to item A, it cannot be assigned to item B in any organization. If uniqueness Across Organization is assigned to to any organization it restricts the serial numbers in all other organizations. If one organization dictates Across Organizations, all other organizations must do so too