We are running Inventory 8.1C. We do use serial numbers, and I'd like to know if there is any way to force the use of them. So if an item is tagged that it could have a serial number, is there a way to ensure that a serial number actually gets put on?

I thought I could use the "Display Style" so went in and tagged an item with Highlighted Yellow and bold black. That style shows in Inventory, but does show when an item is chosen in Order Entry. Any way to make that show in OE?

Thanks so much.

Barb

Barb:

For each applicable item turn on the "Serial#" flag by entering the number of serial numbers required. Now when you sell this item OE will insist that you enter a serial number. You can also print them on the invoice.

Thanks so much, Doug!

Hi Barb,

There also in an option in the OE company profile called 'Serial number mode', which controls whether the serial number prompt appears or not. This can be found on the 'System Defaults' tab. If it is set to 'None', then it won't matter whether or not you define serial numbers on the IC Item - you will not get a prompt to add them to your order. You have to pick either 'Auto' (which automatically adds the required number of serial number details) or 'Prompt' (which will ask if you want to add the serial number lines before doing it).

Well, I used to think I was pretty capable, but this has me stumped. I went into Inventory, made sure that under the "units" tab, I had a "1" in the space marked "serial numbers". Then went into OE and pulled up the profile, went into the tab marked "System Defaults" and ticked the toggle marked "serial entry mode" and changed it from none to auto. Entered a new order. Nothing happened. Tried changing it to "prompt" and entered a new order. Nothing happened. It is still allowing me to enter the item, and also to invoice it, without saying I must put on a serial number.

Is there any additional field that I'm missing?

I'm stumped at this point! Should be easy!

Thanks so much.

Barb

No problem Barb. The Serial Number details get 'auto-inserted' based on the qty shipped, not the qty ordered. If you are strictly doing an order (and not shipping anything), then no serial number lines will be inserted. Typically, serial numbers are not known at the time of order, but rather at the time of shipping.

But you are correct that when invoicing an entered order that uses serial numbers, there is no warning that the serial number lines were not yet added, nor are they auto-inserted at this point.

To get this to work as it is now, you would need to enable the 'qty shipped on orders' option in the OE company profile. Then when entering the order, enter or have the qty shipped be the same as qty ordered. This would insert the serial number details automatically. But this may not be the desirable setup for your company, so if you don't currently have this option on, it may be best to decide or discuss what the best route is for you.

I went back and did some more testing, and do understand now at least HOW it works! Feel a little smarter than I did 15 minutes ago anyway!

I understand what you are saying about the serial number not usually being available when the order is entered. In most of the cases where we wish to use serial numbers, that is true. For a very few items, we know the serial number when we enter the order. So I'm okay with the concept that you cannot enter the serial number at the time the order goes in. But could you make the prompt itself appear? Then at least the line for serial numbers would get added to the order, and when we go to ship it, it would be sort of right in your face that it need to be still added before invoicing. Is that possible?

Right now I enter the order, and if item is not shipped right away, no prompt appears. So easy to NOT ADD. Then when we invoice, there is no prompt then either.

To make the prompt more effective, can you make it so that it appears when I enter an item? At least that way, our people entering orders are nudged at that time.

Possible?

And thanks for your help, you guys are quite wonderful. If I win the lottery this week, I'll buy you lunch (in Paris!!)

Barb

There are ways in which the serial number entry in OE can be improved. I'll pass your recommendations on to the programmers. Specifically, adding serial number lines to orders, even if they are left blank until when the order is shipped and invoices.

Et, j'aime le printemps à Paris!

Thank you! (I have never been to Paris, but I bet you are right, and it is probably quite beautiful in spring!)