Manage Serialized Items Using Microsoft Dynamics AX

Editor's Note: The following article is drawn from two of Dr. Hamilton's recently published books about using Microsoft Dynamics AX in manufacturing and distribution businesses. The books cover the software capabilities within AX 2012 R3 as well as the new Dynamics AX. One book focuses on SCM for Discrete Manufacturing, and the other covers the major options for Warehouse Management.

Some manufacturing and distribution companies require tracking of serial numbers, batch numbers, or both for a material item. This article focuses on managing serialized items in Microsoft Dynamics AX, and a separate article will focus on batch-controlled items.

Dynamics AX supports two different approaches for managing a serialized item. One approach employs serial number tracking for every inventory transaction, starting from the time of receipt to final usage of the serialized item. The second approach only requires serial number assignment at the time of sales order shipment, and does not involve inventory transactions for serial numbers. The two approaches are reflected in the following sections within the article:

1. Serial Number Tracking
2. Deferred Assignment of Serial Numbers
3. Case Studies

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