In warehouse mobile, the item number is used across nearly all flows. Whether you run find item, show item picture, receive, put away, pick or ship, you have to state an item number at some point. The good news is that the logic for finding the item number works the same way everywhere, so you can use different kinds of barcoding throughout the system.
The lookup follows a fixed sequence. If a number does not match the item number directly, the system tries the Global Trade Item Number, then the item reference number. If you scan a GS1 barcode, the system splits it into separate pieces and passes the item number, lot number, serial number and expiration date through to the next flow automatically.
Where the item number is used in warehouse mobile
Most flows in warehouse mobile require you to state an item number. Some flows are obvious, like find item or show item picture, where you simply enter or scan an item number. But it also applies to the receive and put away flow, the pick flow, the shipping flow and so on. In every case the item number is found the same way, which means you can rely on the same scanning behaviour no matter where you are in the system.
How the item number lookup logic works
When a mobile flow asks you to state the item number and you enter or scan something, the first thing the logic checks is whether the input is a barcode or not. It does this by looking for barcode identifiers.
If it is not a barcode, the logic tries to find the item in this order:
- First it looks for a direct match on the item number. If the item exists with that item number, it uses it straight away.
- If there is no direct match, it tries to find the item from the Global Trade Item Number on the item card.
- If that fails too, it tries the item reference number on the item card.
How barcodes and GS1 barcodes are handled
If the input is a barcode, the logic first tests whether it is a GS1 barcode or not.
If it is not a GS1 barcode, the system simply removes the barcode identifier. This means you can scan all kinds of barcodes. The identifiers are stripped off, and the input continues through the normal test against the item number, the Global Trade Item Number and the item reference number.
If it is a GS1 barcode, the system breaks the barcode into its separate pieces and passes all of them on to the next flows. That includes the item number, lot number, serial number and expiration date. If the next flow uses any of that information, it picks it up automatically. For example, if you scan a GS1 barcode in the find item flow, the system simply uses the item number contained in the barcode.
What this means in practice
Because the lookup logic is consistent and handles multiple identifier types, you have flexibility in how you label and scan your items. You can use the item number itself, the Global Trade Item Number or an item reference number, and you can scan standard barcodes or GS1 barcodes. With GS1 barcodes you get the added benefit that lot, serial and expiration data flow through automatically, reducing the number of separate scans and manual entries your warehouse staff need to make.
Q&A
How does warehouse mobile find the item number when you scan or enter it?
The logic first checks whether the input is a barcode. If it is not a barcode, it tries to match the item number directly, then the Global Trade Item Number on the item card, then the item reference number. If it is a barcode, it tests whether it is a GS1 barcode and either strips the identifier for a standard barcode or splits a GS1 barcode into its component pieces.
Can you use different types of barcodes in warehouse mobile?
Yes. The system handles all kinds of barcodes. For non-GS1 barcodes it removes the barcode identifier and continues with the normal item lookup. For GS1 barcodes it splits the barcode into separate pieces and passes them on.
What information does a GS1 barcode pass to the next flow?
A GS1 barcode passes the item number, lot number, serial number and expiration date. If the next flow uses any of this data, it picks it up automatically.
Which flows in warehouse mobile require an item number?
Most flows require an item number, including find item, show item picture, receive, put away, pick and shipping. The item number is found the same way in all of them.