Introduction
Serialisation allows manufacturers to create unique serial numbers for every item produced. This ensures each physical product can be tracked individually once it enters customer inventories. This guide explains how to set up serial formats and create serials in batches.
Serial Formats
Before creating serials, each manufacturer defines one or more serial formats. These determine how serial numbers are generated.
Creating a Batch of Serials
Think of Scannable as a ‘serial number engine’ that sits on top of your ERP.
When you raise a PO with your suppliers or an internal works order/batch, Scannable can generate a unique serial number for each manufactured item.
Today, this serial-generation step is performed manually in our web app, but we will launch an API to enable automatic serial creation.
1. Click ‘Create Serials’
Enter the batch/grouping information for this ‘serial run’. This includes:
Purchase order reference (optional)
Customer (optional)
Batch number (typed or auto-generated)
Date of manufacture (can be set forward, for orders with 90 lead times)
2. Select the Product and SKU
Choose:
The specific SKU (variant)
The quantity of items
Example: 10 ropes produced → create 10 serials
Multiple products can be included in the same ‘serial run’ if needed.
3. Generate Serials
After saving the batch details, Scannable generates the serial numbers using the chosen format.
You can then view:
The serial run
The SKUs included
All serials created for that batch
4. Creating Data Matrix or QR Codes
Downloading Serial Data
Download a CSV file from the created serial run, containing:
One row per serial
All product-level and SKU-level data
The unique serial number
A unique URL for each item
This CSV can be used for:
Label Printing
Laser Etching
Sending to OEM Vendors
Unique Item Pages
Each serial number links to its own unique item page, which includes:
The serial number
All inherited product and SKU data
A unique scannable URL
This is the record that appears in an equipment owner’s inventory once the item is added.