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Handheld Scanning Lot/Serial No. for Cycle Counts

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Is there a good solution out there that would allow users to scan lot/serial numbers easily during cycle count instead of item first then Item Tracking Lines?

Think of scanning individual bags which has single screw with a lot number QR code on the bag. User is scanning each bag with lot number and at the end of scanning, system tallys total qty in that lot.

Ideas?

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Valentin Castravet 32,800 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Advanced Inventory Count by Insight Works lets you do that - Advanced Inventory Count for Business Central

Valentin Castravet
Work: Zander ERP Services
Blog: Dynamics 365 Business Central Insights
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/valentin-c-0500a247/

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NAV2BC02 247 on at

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@Valentin Castravet, Insight works advanced count does not behave this way. Unfortunately.

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Grigorios Mavrogeorgis 2,415 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Hi,

Yes, this is doable. Tasklet Mobile WMS is a solid pick. You hand the worker a scanner, they beep the QR/GS1 code on each bag (which has the lot number), and the app just keeps adding 1 to that lot. When they’re done, it sends the total back to Business Central with the lot on the tracking lines—no fiddling with “item first, then tracking lines” on the handheld.
How you’d set it up (simple):

Put proper data in the code on the bag

At minimum: the item (GTIN) and the Lot/Batch.

If every bag = 1 piece, you’re done. If a bag can be, say, 25 pieces, include quantity so one scan adds 25.

In Tasklet, use the Count flow

Tell it how to read the barcode (which part is lot, which is qty).

Turn on “increment by scan” so each scan tallies into the right lot.

Post the count

The totals land in the Phys. Inventory (or Whse. Phys. Inventory) journal with the lot/serial lines already filled out.

Good alternatives if you’re comparing:

Insight Works (Warehouse Insight + Advanced Inventory Count): great if you want more flexible cycle count plans and reports.

Anveo: very customizable, good offline.

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Valentin Castravet 32,800 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Insight works advanced count does not behave this way. Unfortunately.

Yes, it does. I should have mentioned this is using insight works advanced count + warehouse insight or wms express. Create an Inventory Count, generate the count sheets, open the count on the scanner, and start scanning. Just make sure your barcode rules are set up correctly.

Valentin Castravet
Work: Zander ERP Services
Blog: Dynamics 365 Business Central Insights
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/valentin-c-0500a247/

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YUN ZHU 101,995 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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I think if you want to fully meet your needs, only customization can do it. You can contact your local partner to discuss your specific needs.

Thanks.

ZHU

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OussamaSabbouh 17,521 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Hello,

You can scan lot or serial numbers directly in Business Central’s mobile app.
Use the “Scan multiple” action on Item Tracking Lines or Whse. Phys. Invt. Journal to scan QR/barcodes for each item.
Each scan updates or adds the lot/serial automatically, tallying quantities in real time.
Perfect for quick cycle counts without opening item tracking lines manually.

Regards,
Oussama

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Pallavi Phade 5,734 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Namaste @NAV2BC02

please refer this video , if this can help .

What's new: Business Central mobile apps featuring brand new barcode scanning capabilities(2023) - YouTube

Regards

Pallavi Phade

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Khushbu Rajvi. 22,792 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Business Central doesn’t natively support scanning lot/serial numbers directly during cycle counts — you must enter them through Item Tracking Lines. To streamline this, most companies use mobile WMS solutions like Tasklet Factory, Insight Works WMS Express, or a custom Power App, which let users scan each bag’s barcode or QR code, automatically group by lot, and update the physical inventory journal with accurate tallies.

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Jainam M. Kothari 17,006 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Hello,

Customization requires for your specific requirement.

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Jeffrey Bulanadi 9,123 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Hi,

Standard BC workflow for cycle counting typically requires selecting the item first, then manually entering or selecting the lot/serial number via Item Tracking Lines. This can be inefficient when scanning individually packaged items like screws with QR-coded lot numbers.

Here’s a solid option.

1. Use a WMS Extension with Lot/Serial Scanning

Warehouse Insight by Insight Works is a proven WMS solution that integrates directly with BC.

It supports handheld barcode scanning, including lot and serial number recognition.

Users can scan each bag directly, and the system will auto-tally quantities per lot without needing to select the item first.

2. How It Works

Each scan reads the QR code containing the lot number.

The system matches the lot to the item and increments the count.

At the end of the scan session, the total quantity per lot is displayed and can be posted to the cycle count journal.

3. Benefits

Speed and accuracy, no manual entry of tracking lines.

Real-time validation, prevents duplicate or invalid lot entries.

Audit clarity, each scan is logged with timestamp and user ID.

4. Alternative Approaches

If you prefer a custom solution, you can build a Power App or barcode-enabled extension that uses the Item Tracking Entry table to record scans and tally quantities.

Use the Find Entries and Item Tracing pages to validate scanned lots against inventory.

5. Considerations

Ensure your lot numbers are uniquely encoded in the QR format and mapped to the correct item.

Configure your Item Tracking Code to require lot entry during counting.

Train users on scanning protocol to avoid misreads or duplicates.

Helpful Reference
Warehouse Insight – Insight Works
Lot & Serial Number Tracking in BC – Insight Works Blog
Walkthrough: Tracing Serial/Lot Numbers – Microsoft Learn

If you find this helpful, feel free to mark this as the suggested or verified answer.

Cheers
Jeffrey

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