Serial number tracking in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central identifies and traces each individual unit of an item separately, rather than grouping items by batch as lot tracking does. It is typically used for higher-value or unique items such as equipment, machinery or electronics, where each individual unit needs its own traceable history, including warranty status, service records and ownership.
How serial number tracking works in Business Central
When an item is configured for serial number tracking, each individual unit is assigned a unique serial number at the point of receipt or production. Every subsequent transaction involving that specific unit, including sales, transfers and service activity, is recorded against its serial number in the item ledger, building a complete individual history for each unit rather than tracking it only as part of a wider batch.
Serial number tracking in practice
- An equipment distributor tracks each piece of machinery sold by its individual serial number, allowing warranty and service history to be linked to that specific unit.
- An electronics business uses serial number tracking to identify exactly which customer purchased a specific faulty unit when a manufacturer issues a product-specific recall notice.
- A field service business links Dynamics 365 Field Service asset records to Business Central serial numbers, connecting service history directly to the specific physical unit in the field.
- A rental business uses serial number tracking to monitor the location and condition history of individual high-value rental assets as they move between customers.
How Advantage configures serial number tracking
Advantage sets up serial number tracking for businesses dealing in high-value or individually warrantied items as part of Business Central implementation, ensuring traceability requirements are properly supported from go-live.
Talk to Advantage about Business Central for equipment and distribution →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between serial number tracking and lot tracking?
Serial number tracking identifies and traces each individual unit of an item separately, suited to higher-value or unique items such as equipment or electronics. Lot tracking groups items by batch rather than individually, suited to items produced or received in bulk batches such as food ingredients or chemicals.
Can a single item use both serial and lot tracking in Business Central?
No, an item in Business Central is configured to use either serial number tracking or lot tracking, not both simultaneously, since the two represent different approaches to identifying and tracing stock at different levels of granularity.
Does serial number tracking support warranty management?
Yes. Because each individual unit is tracked by its unique serial number, businesses can link warranty start dates, service history and customer ownership to a specific serial number, which is valuable for products with individual warranty terms.
