Batch Master

1Purpose #

Registers the batches (lots) a batch-tracked item is received and issued in, with their manufacturing and expiry dates. A batch groups units that were made together, so stock can be rotated oldest-first and expired stock can be found and blocked.

Creating a batch does not put stock into it — quantities arrive through transactions.

2Step by step #

A batch identifies one lot of a product — with its own expiry and stock — so recalls and FIFO work.

1. Press Add (F3) , pick the Item * (a batch-tracked product) and type the Batch Name * as printed on the lot.
2. Fill expiry / manufacturing dates if the lot carries them.
3. Press Save (F5) and confirm. Voucher lines on batch-tracked items can now pick the lot.

3How to use it #

1. Find (F2): search by batch name, code or item.
2. Add (F3): create a new batch. The cursor lands on Batch Name.
3. Modify (F4): edit the loaded batch.
4. Delete: remove the current batch (view mode), with confirmation.
5. Save (F5): commit the add / modify. Batch Name and Item are both required.
6. Cancel (Esc): discard the current edit.

4Field details #

• Batch Name identifies the batch and is required. It must be unique for the item — the same name may be reused on a different item.
• Batch Code is an optional short code, e.g. the lot code printed on the pack.
• Item is the product the batch belongs to. Missing? Use the dropdown's ＋ Create new item footer to create it inline; it is then selected automatically.
• Mfg. Date is when the batch was made.
• Expiry Date Compulsory makes Expiry Date mandatory for this batch — the field's label gains a * when it is on.
• Expiry Date must be later than the Mfg. Date when both are given.
• Is Inactive hides the batch from transaction pick-lists while keeping its history.

5Why is the item pick-list empty? #

• Items come from the Product master ; at least one must exist before a batch can be saved.
• Inactive items are hidden from the list.
• Branch visibility applies: an item shared only with other branches will not appear for this login.

6Rules and integrity #

• A batch name must be unique within its item ; the page refuses a duplicate before saving.
• When Expiry Date Compulsory is on, saving without an expiry date is refused.
• An expiry date on or before the manufacturing date is refused.
• A batch already used by transactions should be marked Inactive rather than deleted — deleting leaves those transactions pointing at a batch that no longer exists.

7Shortcut keys #

• F2 — Find: open the lookup and pick an existing record.
• F3 — Add: start a new record.
• F4 — Modify: put the loaded record into edit.
• F5 — Save.
• Esc — Cancel the edit, or close the open dialog.
• Enter — move to the next field. On the last field it triggers Save, and after saving the focus returns to Add so the next record can be keyed straight away.
• Tab — move to the next field without the Save-on-last-field behaviour.

Shortcuts belong to whichever copy of the page has focus, so a second tab of this page does not steal them. While this master is open embedded inside another page's Create dialog, its keys apply there instead.