Batch tracking is a facet of inventory management that allows brands to group and monitor stock that shares similar characteristics. Sometimes referred to as ‘lot tracking,’ batch tracking is essentially a process for tracing goods along the supply chain using batch numbers. A ‘batch’ describes a particular set of goods that were produced together from the same raw materials (like a batch of milk, for example). Batch tracking is the best way to see where your goods came from, where they went, what quantity was shipped, and when they’ll be expiring.
Using product batches, retailers can leverage a number of benefits to enhance both inventory and order management. From faster recalls to improved expiry oversight, batch tracking systems help retailers streamline product traceability and maintain quality goods at all times.
Strong supplier relationships are pivotal to the success of any product-based brand. Thankfully, batch tracking software provides necessary insights into the quality of your finished products, by closely monitoring the raw materials from your suppliers. With this information, you have the ability to identify both your best and worst suppliers, which gives you greater inventory control and more influence over who you purchase materials from.
Quality control is paramount for food wholesalers, and one of the cornerstones of preserving high-quality foods and avoiding spoilage is knowing the expiry date on every product you sell (and communicating this shelf life to consumers, as well). Batch tracking allows you to automatically view expiration dates on perishable items, and empowers you to develop a solid quality control workflow in the event problems do arise.
While most companies do everything in their power to avoid a product recall, sometimes these things still happen. The good news is, brands that handle a recall in a timely and responsible manner are more likely to earn respect (and loyalty) from their customer base. Batch tracking delivers the details you need to identify product defects in real-time, so you can quickly track them down and effectively implement a recall within a shorter period of time.
The trouble with manual batch tracking systems is that they’re extremely time-consuming and susceptible to human errors; with manual entry, it’s all too easy to input incorrect data, omit data altogether, or even misplace data you need to reference. However, with an automatic batch tracking system, you can enter information that’s generated from all products within your batch. Automatic accounting also streamlines information at your fingertips in case you need to access it right away (as is true with a recall).