The Difference Between Serial Numbers and Barcodes
One could initially assume that there is no significant difference between serial numbers and barcodes. Surely serial numbers make up barcodes? Apart from the fact that they are both made up of numbers, there is a difference between the two.
A serial number is first and foremost a unique identification number you attach to a specific item. Consequently, a single serial number identifies a single item. A barcode on the other hand identifies products with the same qualities. For example, let's say you have a clothes store. There won't be a unique serial number generated for every single t-shirt as you will sell thousands. You have nothing to gain by keeping track of specific items. Therefore, you add a generic barcode to it, such as one for a black L-sized t-shirt.
Serial Number Traceability
The capacity to track and trace each item back via the supply chain is the most significant advantage of using serial number tracking. Once a product has a serial number, it can be tracked to the end consumer via distribution networks.
This traceability helps with pipelining inventory, post-sale guarantees, and tracing products between warehouses. Serial number tracking also makes it easier to manage consumer warranties since it records a serial number against a specific sale and displays it in a customer's purchase record.
Inventory Control - Protect your profits
Online merchants lose approximately $10 to return fraud for every $100 worth of goods accepted for return. Serial number tracking of products that leave the warehouse makes returns easier to manage as an item’s serial numbers can be checked on return. This also protects you from common return scams, where someone may buy a product and then try to return a different one, robbing you of inventory value.
Which E-commerce Businesses Should Use Serial Number Tracking?
Tracking serial numbers is more important in certain industries than in others. Some examples include the automobile industry, the medical industry, product rentals, and the most common within 3PL, the electronic industry.
Tracking Serial Numbers in the Electronics Sector
Serial numbers can be very important when fulfilling electronics. Electronics manufacturers, distributors, and retailers can trace defective products using serial numbers to pinpoint the particular parts that are faulty.
Within electronics, it is especially important to keep track of warranty details. Businesses can lose a lot of money by offering free services on products with expired warranties or accepting returns of the wrong product when serial numbers are not correctly tracked. On the other hand, they might severely damage customer satisfaction by refusing to offer service for items that still have a valid warranty.
byrd's Software: A Powerful Solution for Your Inventory Management
There is no doubt that technology is essential to inventory management. byrd’s inventory tracking system provides a good way for you to have automatic control over it. Our dashboard gives you straightforward and effective management to grow your business profitably, from purchasing management to stock control.
You can add serial number tracking for your B2C shipments using our all-in-one fulfillment solution by simply adding (or changing) products to your inventory and filling out a serial number tracking property in our dashboard. Once the products are due to be shipped, the warehouse workers scan the serial number of the item to make sure that the correct product is shipped to the customer. If there are returns, you can also keep track of returns to the warehouse with the help of our returns portal.
Simply put, byrd’s serial number tracking solution allows you to keep track of any item in your inventory from the time it is created until it is sold. This function provides your business with crucial insight into the locations of your products, allowing you to relax knowing that the traceability of your order fulfillment is fully taken care of.
FAQs
You can also use serial numbers to track your inventory, also known as serialized inventory. This is particularly useful for high-value items. Use their serial numbers to manage your inventory from the moment you receive an item and all of its movements every time it's outside of your warehouse until you dispose of it.
Why is serial number tracking important? ›
Serial number tracking enables you to follow individual items from their creation until their sale. Each product will have a particular identifying number that will allow you to determine who purchased which product. Keeping track of your inventory could prove challenging without a serial tracking system in place.
What is the serial number tracking process? ›
Serial number tracking is the process of assigning serial numbers to your inventory as a way to keep an accurate count of it and its journey across the supply chain. It helps businesses with keeping track of their products throughout their entire lifecycle and providing valuable insights into: Product performance.
What is a serial number and why is it important? ›
Serial Numbers. A serial number (SN) is a number assigned to each individual product in order to distinguish that product from all others. The serial number is sometimes used only for warranty control and sometimes used for both warranty control and for version control.
Can you track anything with a serial number? ›
Serial Number Tracking is a system with which you can track individual units of an item right from its creation through to its sale. Each unit will possess a unique identification code which will help you find out which unit was sold to whom.
What are the benefits of tracking number? ›
With a tracking number, customers can easily track their package online, knowing exactly when it will arrive at their doorstep. This level of transparency builds trust and satisfaction, leading to improved customer loyalty.
What is the main purpose of tracking? ›
Data tracking helps you understand what is working and what is not working for your company. This understanding allows you to make better decisions about allocating resources and where to focus your efforts. Additionally, it helps identify patterns and trends that can be used to improve your business.
How do companies track serial numbers? ›
Serial number tracking can be implemented in a variety of ways. One common approach is to use barcodes or RFID tags. Barcodes and RFID tags are unique identifiers that can be scanned to track the movement of products. Serial number tracking can also be implemented using software systems.
What can a serial number tell you? ›
A serial number is a unique identifier assigned to a specific product by the manufacturer. It helps to distinguish one product from another and can be used for warranty purposes or to track inventory.
Can stolen items be tracked by serial number? ›
Recording serial numbers and providing those numbers to law enforcement when property is stolen increases the likelihood of your property being recovered. Armed with a serial number, law enforcement can enter your stolen property into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) stolen items database.
The main benefit of serial numbers is its traceability.
With serial numbers, every step of a product's lifecycle can be monitored. Such as manufacturing to distribution and even post-purchase usage.
What can someone do with your serial number? ›
A fraudster or counterfeiter can sell illegal items with a valid serial number. A fraudster may, for example, use someone else's photos to sell a watch he doesn't own, and a genuine serial number would make it appear more legitimate.
What information does a serial number hold? ›
Serial numbers are unique codes that identify a product. They can be only numbers or numbers with letters and symbols. They are one-of-a-kind codes that match only one product. Usually, serial numbers are made in order and have different information sections.
Can you track phone location with serial number? ›
Your phone cannot be tracked by using a serial number.
Can you find out who owns a GPS tracker? ›
Check the serial number on the tracker. Look up the tracker's brand name on Amazon or Google. Contact the device's maker or any resellers who might have such information. Give the manufacturer the device's serial number and inquire about who bought it.
Do tracking devices have serial numbers? ›
Some devices may share their serial number or additional information about the owner of the device. Other devices also have the serial number printed physically on the Bluetooth tracker. You may want to take a screenshot of the serial number or owner information.
Why is tracking process data so important? ›
The biggest benefit of data-tracking is that it allows you to make decisions based on information your customers provide. As you develop and launch marketing campaigns, you can check back on this data and improve your strategy with each campaign iteration.
What is the importance of tracking code? ›
Benefits of Using Tracking Codes
Improved targeting: By analysing the data collected by tracking codes, marketers can identify the demographics, interests, and behaviours of their target audience. This allows them to tailor their campaigns and messaging to better appeal to their target market.
Why is call tracking important? ›
Call tracking allows businesses to truly understand who their customers are by observing their behavior through each key part of the sales funnel right down to conversions. However, it also helps track repeat business with retargeting campaigns.
Why is tracking results important? ›
Tracking is very important because it helps you identify which campaigns are successful and which ones are not. It is also helpful in analyzing your marketing efforts. Marketing Analytics is gathering information about your audience, product and the market.
