Sage 50

Sage 50 Manufacturing has a strong batch traceability function but does not include serial number tracking. As with locations, it is necessary to use the ‘Receive Goods’ screen in Manufacturing instead of Purchase Order Processing to maintain traceability. As well as updating the Stock Control in Sage 50, the Manufacturing program creates a uniquely numbered GRN Record for each delivery. Provided that all future transactions are entered via Manufacturing, such as adjustments, transfers to another location, Works Order Issues etc. the movement of each batch is automatically saved.

Suggested Batch Nos. to be used are printed on Works Order Picking Lists, assuming oldest batches to be used first, although it is possible to amend and select individual batches manually. On completion of a Works Order, a GRN Record is created which is then used to track movement of the finished product including delivery against specific Sales Order, thus providing ‘end to end’ traceability.

A powerful search facility enables users to find any GRN Reference by searching under a variety of headings including Product Code, Supplier’s Batch No., Works Order No., Sales Order No. etc. The illustration below shows how it is possible to use the drill-down facility to trace on screen from a raw material Product Code to the Sales Order(s) on which it was used.

Sage 200

Sage 200 Manufacturing makes use of existing functionality in the core product to perform both batch and serial number traceability. Information is taken from the Stock Record which in turn defaults from the Product Group. A useful feature is that Sales (and Issues) can be restricted to a single batch thus preventing more than one batch of raw material being used in any one batch of a finished product.

A further setting on the above screen (not shown) determines whether Batch or Serial numbers should be recorded when goods are received, and another series of options allows flexibility in the format of generated numbers.

It is possible to create any number of 'Attributes' for each traceable item which enables additional unique information to be attached to any Batch/Serial number, such as Supplier’s Batch number, Cast number, C of C etc., and these Attributes may optionally be made compulsory to ensure they are always recorded.

Works Order allocations are made by Batch/Serial No. (unlike Sage 50) but these allocations can be amended manually if required. Issues are made from previously allocated quantities.

On completion of a Works Order, Batch/Serial numbers are generated, subject to settings, and the item is then treated like any other traceable item within Sage 200 Stock Control.

Next: Quarantine (Sage 50 and Sage 200)