✅ 1. Item Tracking Overview
Oracle EBS supports multiple item tracking methods through item attributes and system setups. Tracking helps in managing item lifecycle, traceability, and compliance.
Types of Item Tracking:
| Tracking Type | Description | Setup Attribute |
|---|---|---|
| Serial Number | Tracks each individual unit of an item. | Serial Control |
| Lot Number | Tracks batches/lots of an item. | Lot Control |
| Revision Control | Tracks engineering or product design changes. | Revision Control Enabled |
| Locator Control | Tracks physical storage location (row/bin/shelf) within inventory. | Locator Control at Subinventory |
🔧 2. Setup Path for Item Tracking
To configure tracking, you define item attributes at the Master Item level and then at the Organization level.
Navigation:
Inventory Responsibility > Items > Master Items
Key Tabs:
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Inventory tab — Controls serial, lot, and revision
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Inventory Parameters tab — Controls tracking settings like inventory asset, stockable, etc.
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General Planning tab — MRP related, can tie into tracking for planning
📦 3. Serial Number Tracking
Use Cases:
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Electronics, machines, high-value or regulated items.
Setup Steps:
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Navigate to Master Items.
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Under the Inventory tab, set Serial Generation to one of the following:
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No Control: Serial number not required -
At Receipt: Serial number required at item receipt -
At Sales Order Issue: Required only when shipping -
Predefined: Serial numbers created in advance -
Dynamic Entry at Receipt(common for flexibility)
-
-
Check Enable Serial Number Control.
Serial Number Entry Points:
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Receiving (PO receipts)
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WIP Completion
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Sales Order Shipment
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Inventory Transactions
🧪 4. Lot Number Tracking
Use Cases:
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Pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food (expiration-sensitive items).
Setup Steps:
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In Master Items, go to the Inventory tab.
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Set Lot Control to:
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No Control -
Full Control(default for strict traceability)
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-
Optionally set:
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Shelf Life (days)
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Lot Expiration Control (Enable)
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Default Lot Status
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Lot Number Entry Points:
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Receiving
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Inventory Move
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WIP Completion
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Sales Shipment
🔁 5. Revision Tracking
Use Cases:
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Engineering changes, controlled designs (e.g., in manufacturing).
Setup:
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Enable Revision Control in the Inventory tab of the item.
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Navigate to:
Inventory > Items > Revisions -
Define revisions (e.g., A, B, C), effective dates, and descriptions.
Used in:
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BOMs
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WIP
-
Routing
📍 6. Locator Control
Use Cases:
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Warehousing, bin management, multi-location inventory.
Setup:
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Enable Locator Control at Subinventory level:
Inventory > Setup > Organizations > Subinventories -
Set Locator Control to:
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None -
Prespecified -
Dynamic Entry -
Item Level
-
-
Associate locators to subinventories:
Inventory > Setup > Organizations > Locators
📈 7. Tracking & Reporting
Once tracking is enabled, Oracle offers tools and reports:
| Tool / Form | Function |
|---|---|
| Serial Number Inquiry | Track serial usage and history |
| Lot Transaction History | View transactions by lot |
| Material Workbench | View on-hand, serials, lots, locators |
| Transaction History | Full trace of item movement |
| Lot/Serial Genealogy | Parent-child trace of components |
| WIP Genealogy | Track lot/serial through manufacturing |
Optional: Enable Lot/Serial Traceability (Advanced Setup)
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Inventory > Setup > Organizations > Parameters
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Enable:
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Lot Split Enabled
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Lot Merge Enabled
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Genealogy Tracking for Manufacturing
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⚙️ Integration Points
| Module | Interaction |
|---|---|
| PO (Purchasing) | Track serial/lot on receipts |
| OM (Order Management) | Track shipments by serial/lot |
| WIP (Work In Process) | Track components and outputs |
| QA (Quality) | Attach inspections to lots/serials |
| INV (Inventory) | Movement, adjustments, counts |
