Serialized items need their serial numbers recorded somewhere, and the question for most warehouses is when. Some businesses capture the serial number printed by the vendor as the item arrives. Others generate their own. In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, how you create serial numbers is process dependent, and it depends on how Business Central is set up.
Assign serial numbers at receiving
If you want to assign serial numbers at receiving, the handheld does the work. With WMS Express or Warehouse Insight, you have two options during receiving:
Scan the serial number. If you are receiving a specific serial number, you scan it and it comes in on the receipt line.
Create it automatically. You can have the system automatically create serial numbers or lot numbers at receiving.
WMS Express and Warehouse Insight both handle both approaches. When you post the receipt, the serial numbers are in Business Central.
What the barcode can carry
Ideally the vendor has barcoded the items. The barcode format does not matter, and the barcode can contain the data you need, such as the item number, lot number, serial number, expiration date, quantity, unit of measure, or variant code. The handheld pulls those details out based on configuration, so one scan can fill in both the item and the serial number.
When serial numbers are printed as text
Some packaging shows lot or serial numbers as printed, human-readable text without a barcode. On supported devices, you can scan that text almost as quickly as you can scan a barcode, so the number still comes in without manual typing. If you need to scan text instead of barcodes, Insight Works can help you choose the right devices.
Create serial numbers ahead of time
If you want to create serial numbers ahead of time rather than at receiving, that is a Business Central process or configuration rather than something the handheld app decides. Your Business Central partner can help you set up the numbering approach that matches your business.
Print labels for unlabeled items
If items arrive without barcodes, you can print labels directly from the handheld device. The device asks Business Central to print the label report you have specified to a chosen printer, so items are labeled before they move to stock.
Relevant Tools
WMS Express is a main tool for this question: barcoding for receiving, picking, bin movements, and inventory counts, including scanning or automatically creating serial and lot numbers at receiving.
Warehouse Insight handles the same receiving workflows as part of the full warehouse solution, along with production, inventory, and other warehouse processes.
Barcode Generator PowerTool adds barcodes to Business Central label reports so serialized items can be labeled and scanned.