Product tracking in Katana lets you manage items with no tracking, batch/lot numbers, or serial numbers.
Tracking is set at the item level and applies to all variants of that item. This ensures precise control over inventory, traceability, and historical data.
Tracking options
1. No tracking
Choose if you do not need traceability for the item.
Simplest option — only overall stock quantity is tracked.
2. Batch / Lot tracking
Assign batch or lot numbers to purchased and manufactured items.
Track products and materials by batch in stock.
Optionally assign expiration dates for shelf-life control.
Useful for food, pharmaceuticals, or any product with batches.
3. Serial number tracking
Assign a unique serial number to each item.
Track an item’s history from production to sale.
Supports warranty management, product recalls, device support, and returns.
Availability
Batch and serial tracking are part of the Full Traceability add-on (automatically included in Professional plans).
Switching tracking methods
Enabling/disabling batch or serial tracking affects only the selected item (not other items).
You cannot directly switch from batches to serial numbers:
Create a new item to start serial tracking, or
Disable batch tracking (No tracking) first, then enable serial tracking.
If enabling batch tracking for existing stock, all items are assigned to a batch called unbatched.
Historical items can be connected to serial numbers using a stock adjustment or import.
Important warnings
Turning off batch tracking hides all batch information for that item and its variants. Nothing is deleted, and turning batch tracking back on shows it again.
Switching serial tracking to No tracking hides the serial numbers for that item. The item's rules for generating serial numbers automatically are removed and have to be set up again.
Stock moved while tracking is off is not assigned to a batch or serial number.
Recommendation: Export historical batch data before disabling tracking if you need it while tracking is off.
Result: With the right tracking method, you can manage stock traceability for compliance, recalls and warranties.
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