Q. How does Marking a Type as "Lot Code" affect records throughout the System? And why it can not be simply turned on or off.
A. When we attach LOT Tracking to a part type, throughout the system, that sets a flag that the user will also have to deal with Lot Tracking information. When invoked, lot tracking creates additional records tied to the warehouse information, which is tied to the AVL information, which is tied to the item master, where the flag is to use lot tracking. Now what happens is that the inventory quantities are NOT saved in the warehouse file, but in the lot tracking file. Turning OFF the lot tracking would then loose all of the inventory information. Similarly, if we tried to turn ON lot tracking, and all of the inventory quantities are at the AVL Warehouse, and when searching for part information we would NOT be able to find any parts that exist in the other table. When we added the lot tracking capability, we elected to control it at the part class/type so users could easily identify which parts were tracked and which were not.
So, we CANNOT simply turn ON nor OFF Lot Coding on an existing inventory part without losing data.
Option: If you have existing parts you would like to change from Non-Lot Coded to Lot Coded, or vis-versa users are able to do this within the Inventory Control module but will loose all lot code tracking history.
The other option a user has is to Create a new class/type and new part numbers for those items you wish to track. Use Material Handling to move inventory out, and receive it back in under the new part number. During this process, you will have to identify lot tracking to receive the parts back in. You will at this time need to create new BOM's and modify any Sales Orders with the new BOM information. By doing it this way it will permit you to flush out any existing WIP and move product into FGI for shipping.
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