With Warehouse Mobile in Business Central, you can scan combined barcodes and split the data across several fields in a single scan. A GS1 barcode that contains both an item number and a serial number can populate both fields automatically, so you don’t have to type the values one by one.
The scan finds the right warehouse receipt for you based on the item number, even when you don’t know the purchase order number. It also creates the serial number tracking lines directly, with one line per serial number because the quantity per serial number is one.
You can define your own combined barcode logic in Business Central if you have fields in a role that you need to extract from a barcode.
Scanning combined barcodes across multiple fields
Warehouse Mobile lets you use combined barcodes, and you can use them across several fields where you need to enter data. A typical example is a GS1 barcode that holds both the item number and the serial number in the same code. When you scan it, Warehouse Mobile splits the barcode and reads each part into the correct field.
In the example used here, the barcode contains two elements: an item reference for the item number, and a serial number as the second value in the GS1 barcode. One scan extracts both.
Starting from a warehouse receipt with serial number tracking
The starting point is a warehouse receipt with item number 5000. This is a serial number tracked item, and it has the item reference number that appears on the barcode. Before you scan, the item tracking lines are empty.
When you run the warehouse receipt flow, you don’t need the purchase order number. You only need the item number. As you paste or scan the GS1 barcode, the system reads the item number from one section of the code and the serial number from another.
Because it recognises the item, it locates the correct receipt automatically. In this case it identifies warehouse receipt number three. From there you can fill in the posting date, the vendor shipment number, and the assigned user ID.
Registering multiple serial numbers in one flow
Once you reach the line, the first serial number is already registered, because the barcode carried it through. Since the quantity has to be one per serial number, you can continue straight to the next number.
To add more, paste the next line and change the serial number as needed. In the example, the serial numbers are set to 2 and 42, and you can keep looping through to enter all the remaining information. Each pass adds another serial number line.
When you open the completed receipt, in this case receipt number three, the item tracking lines show three serial number lines. The scan has extracted the barcode data into exactly that information.
Defining your own combined barcode logic
You are not limited to standard GS1 barcodes. Business Central lets you define your own combined barcode logic. If you have specific fields in a role that you need to extract from a barcode, you can set up how the barcode should be split and where each value goes.
Q&A
Can a single barcode fill in both the item number and the serial number in Business Central?
Yes. With Warehouse Mobile you can scan a combined barcode, such as a GS1 barcode, that contains both the item number and the serial number. The scan splits the barcode and reads each value into the correct field.
Do I need the purchase order number to run the warehouse receipt flow?
No. You only need the item number. When you scan the barcode, the system finds the correct warehouse receipt automatically based on the item.
How are serial numbers handled when scanning?
The first serial number is registered as soon as you scan the barcode. Because the quantity per serial number is one, you continue to the next number and add a line for each one. The completed receipt then shows one item tracking line per serial number.
Can I create my own combined barcode setup?
Yes. Business Central lets you define your own combined barcode logic so you can extract specific fields from a barcode into the role you need.