Auto-replenishment templates

Auto-Replenishment templates supports auto-replenishment from an external serial number manager. Serial Number Manager (SNM) submits a replenishment request to a Partner's external system, using a minimum and maximum threshold to control the number of serial numbers. Partners can also request serial numbers through Serial Number Exchange (SNX), where the SNX maximum request quantity controls the number of serial numbers that can be requested.

Add an auto-replenishment template

  1. Hover over Modules in the top menu, and then select Serial Number Manager.
  2. Select Add Templates.
  3. Select a packaging code from the Packaging Code Type drop-down in the Packaging Code Information section:
    • CN-ResCode – A 5-digit China packaging code.
    • GS1 Company Prefix – A company identifier used in a Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC), assigned and administered by GS1 Global.
    • GTIN-14 – A 14-digit Global Trade Item Number.
    • NTIN – A 14-digit National Trade Item Number.
  4. Depending on the Packaging Code Type, fill in the following fields in the Packaging Code Information section:
    • CN-ResCode:

      • Packaging Code drop-down – A code that can be assigned at multiple levels of the packaging aggregation.

    • GS1 Company Prefix:
      • Packaging Code field – The numeric values that correspond to the packaging of a particular product.
      • Filter Value drop-down – A digit between 0 and 9 that is used in certain EPC and coding formats, as part of the RFID control information, to specify the packaging level associated with the serial number (e.g. each, case, pallet).
      • Extension Digit drop-down – A one-digit segment used to extend the serial reference segment of a SSCC identifier.
    • GTIN-14:

      • Packaging Code drop-down – A code that can be assigned at multiple levels of the packaging aggregation.

    • NTIN:

      • Packaging Code drop-down – A code that can be assigned at multiple levels of the packaging aggregation.

  5. Select Auto-Replenished By Other Serial Number Manager from the Template Type drop-down in the Template Information section.
  6. Fill in the following fields in the Template Information section: 
    1. SNX Maximum Request Quantity field – The maximum quantity of serial numbers generated in a single request (maximum 500,000). TraceLink denies requests from SNM Partners for quantities of serial numbers larger than the SNX Maximum Request Quantity.
    2. Notify After field – The number of hours before notifying users if the external serial number manager has not responded. The default is 8 hours.
    3. Request From drop-down – Select an SNM Partner to request numbers from. Optionally, select one of the following
      • External Serial Number Manager Will Push Numbers Without a Request checkbox - Serial numbers are sent automatically.

        or

      • Packaging Sites Must Request Serial Numbers With a Production Order Reference checkbox - A production order reference must accompany requests.
  7. Fill in the following fields in the Templates section:
    1. Assign Numbers To drop-down – Designates the serial numbers to a packaging location:
      • General Pool (default) – Serial numbers can be exchanged with multiple packaging locations.

        • Use Crypto Codes checkbox – Displays only if the company owns the Kazakhstan Crypto Codes, Russia Crypto Codes, Russia BAFS Crypto Codes, or Uzbekistan Crypto Codes application, the Packaging Code Type is GTIN-14, has a Production Type of Imported in Product Master Data, and has a Target Market of Kazakhstan, Russia, or Uzbekistan in Product Master Data. Indicates that this serial number template includes crypto codes.

          External Serial Number Manager Will Push Numbers Without A Request must be selected to successfully receive serial numbers containing crypto code and crypto key information that have been manually retrieved from the Kazakhstan, Russia, Russia BAFS, or Uzbekistan Order Management Systems.

          For Russia and Russia BAFS, select a payment option from the drop-down:

          • Free – The company receives the crypto codes free of charge.

          • Prepaid – The company pays in advance before requesting crypto codes from OMS.

          • Paid on Utilisation – The company pays for crypto codes as needed when commissioning serial numbers.

      • [Location Name] – Serial numbers are generated for a specific packaging location. Only Partner locations are shown.

        • Use Site Prefix checkbox – For packaging locations with a site prefix in SNX.

    2. Minimum Threshold field – The lowest amount of serial numbers allowed in the repository, which must be greater than or equal to the Maximum Request Quantity. When the number of serial numbers hits the minimum threshold, TraceLink requests more numbers to return the balance to the maximum threshold.
    3. Maximum Threshold field – The highest amount of serial numbers allowed in the repository (maximum 10,000,000).
    4. Status radio button – The template status:
      • Active (default) – Templates that format serial numbers.
      • Inactive – Templates that do not format serial numbers.
  8. Select Submit.

Manually request replenishment

Serial numbers are replenished when the amount of serial numbers falls below the minimum threshold and additional serial numbers are needed from an external Serial Number Manager. TraceLink automatically sends a replenishment request to the Serial Number Manager Partner specified in the template. Users can also manually request replenishment.

  1. Hover over Modules in the top menu, and then select Serial Number Manager.
  2. Select View Replenishment History in the Actions menu for any item with a template type of Auto-Replenished.
  3. Select Request Replenishment.

    The results display in the table.

    • Status – Indicates the status on the request:
      • Pending – The request was received.
      • Request Denied – The request is rejected by the external system (i.e. invalid credentials).
      • Validating – SNM is processing and validating serial numbers.
      • Imported – Some requested serial numbers are not successfully imported.
      • Imported – All requested serial numbers are successfully imported.
    • Request ID – Correlates asynchronous serial number requests and responses. This field is blank for synchronous requests and asynchronous requests pushed from external systems to TraceLink.
    • Quantity Requested – The amount of serial numbers requested.
    • Quantity Received – The amount of serial numbers received.
    • Quantity Added – The amount of serial numbers SNM successfully imports.
    • Quantity Rejected – The amount of serial numbers SNM rejects.
    • Request Date – The date the request was made.
    • Response Date – The date of the response.
    • Last Updated – The date of the latest message.