How to Use Serial Number Tracking
In Warehance, serial number tracking lets you record the unique serial number of each unit you ship. Packers scan the serial number during packing, and it stays linked to the shipped order line for warranty, returns, and reporting.
Serial number tracking is enabled per account. If you don't see the Requires Serial Number setting on your products, contact our support team to have it turned on.
1. Open the Product:
- Navigate to the Products section of Warehance.
- Select the product that needs serial number tracking.
2. Turn On Requires Serial Number:
- Click Edit Product Details.
- Enable the Requires Serial Number setting on the product.
- Add a Serial Number Pattern if needed (see more details below).
- Click Save Changes.
3. Set a Serial Number Pattern (Optional):
- In the Serial number pattern (optional) field, enter a regular expression that every scanned serial number must match before the unit can be packed.
- Leave the field blank to accept serial numbers in any format.
- Start the pattern with ^ and end it with $ to require a full match. Without them, the pattern only needs to match part of the serial number.
Here are a few example patterns:
- ^SN-\d{8}$: "SN-" followed by exactly eight digits (for example, SN-12345678)
- ^\d{12}$: exactly 12 digits (for example, 123456789012)
- ^[A-Z0-9]{10}$: exactly 10 uppercase letters or numbers (for example, AB12CD34EF)
Patterns use Go RE2 syntax, so lookahead, lookbehind, and backreferences aren't supported.
A pattern helps catch scanning mistakes, like a packer accidentally scanning the product barcode instead of the serial number.
4. Pack the Order:
- Open the order in Single Order Shipping or Tote Shipping.
- Scan or add the product as you normally would.
- An Enter Serial Number prompt will appear for each unit
Where Serial Numbers Are Saved
Serial numbers are saved against the shipped items and are visible in:
- The shipment's Parcel Details
- The Shipped Items report, under the Serial # column
A Few Limitations to Be Aware Of
- Serial numbers are captured at packing, not during receiving. Inventory is received by quantity as usual.
- Products requiring serial numbers cannot use Batch Shipping or single-item batch workflows.
- Kit components cannot require serial numbers.