[ADD] barcode: serial numbers and lots

content/applications/inventory_and_mrp/barcode/setup.rst

@@ -11,3 +11,4 @@ Setup
    setup/device_troubleshooting
    setup/hardware
    setup/software
+   setup/serial_numbers_lots

content/applications/inventory_and_mrp/barcode/setup/serial_numbers_lots.rst

@@ -0,0 +1,138 @@
+===================================
+Barcodes for lot and serial numbers
+===================================
+
+The **Barcode** app saves time and prevents user errors while handling :doc:`lot
+<../../inventory/product_management/product_tracking/lots>` and :doc:`serial numbers
+<../../inventory/product_management/product_tracking/serial_numbers>`. Instead of typing long
+sequences of characters, print and scan barcodes instead.
+
+Configuration
+=============
+
+To use lot or serial numbers:
+
+#. They must be enabled in the database.
+#. Tracking by lot or serial number must be selected for each product.
+
+See the :doc:`serial numbers documentation
+<../../inventory/product_management/product_tracking/serial_numbers>` and :doc:`lots documentation
+<../../inventory/product_management/product_tracking/lots>` to learn how to start using this
+feature.
+
+GS1-compatible QR codes
+-----------------------
+
+:doc:`GS1 <../operations/gs1_nomenclature>` nomenclature can be used for serial numbers and lots.
+
+To enable GS1 barcodes for lots and serial numbers, go to :menuselection:`Inventory app -->
+Configuration --> Settings` and in the :guilabel:`Traceability` section under :guilabel:`Lots &
+Serial Numbers`, tick the box for :guilabel:`Print GS1 Barcodes for Lots & Serial Numbers`.
+
+.. image:: serial_numbers_lots/enable-GS1-barcodes.png
+   :alt: Inventory settings with 'Print GS1 Barcodes for Lots & Serial Numbers' ticked.
+
+.. warning::
+   GS1 lot and serial number barcodes require a 2D-capable scanner to be scanned. See :doc:`hardware
+   configuration <hardware>` to ensure that the feature is compatible with available equipment.
+
+.. _inventory/barcode/mandatory-scan:
+
+Mandatory and optional scanning
+-------------------------------
+
+Operation types, like receipts and delivery orders, :ref:`can be configured individually
+<inventory/product_management/operation-type-setting>` to determine whether they require a serial or
+lot number to process the operation. Additionally, the *Barcode* tab of each operation type
+configures whether scanning the lot or serial number is mandatory. *Mandatory scan* specifies that
+the only way to input a required serial number or lot number is by scanning a barcode, while
+*optional scan* allows users to manually type in a barcode if necessary.
+
+To make it mandatory to scan a barcode for serial numbers and lots, go to :menuselection:`Inventory
+app --> Configuration --> Operations Types` and select the operation type where barcodes should be
+required for serial numbers. Then, click the :guilabel:`Barcode App` tab, and in the
+:guilabel:`MANDATORY SCAN` section set :guilabel:`Lot/Serial` to :guilabel:`Mandatory Scan`.
+
+.. image:: serial_numbers_lots/optional-scan.png
+   :alt: Selecting 'Optional Scan' in the Receipts operation type.
+
+Barcodes for products and lots
+==============================
+
+To print a barcode for one or multiple product lot and serial numbers, go to
+:menuselection:`Inventory app --> Products --> Lots / Serial Numbers`. In the list view, tick the
+checkbox for each the product to print, click the :icon:`fa-print` :guilabel:`Print` button, and
+select either PDF or ZPL depending on printer setup.
+
+.. image:: serial_numbers_lots/select-products-to-print.png
+   :alt: Three selected products and a Print button showing 'Lot/Serial Number (PDF)' highlighted.
+
+Operations
+==========
+
+For any product that is tracked by lot or serial number, performing an operation with barcode can be
+from the main **Barcode** page by tapping :guilabel:`Operations` and tapping the desired operation
+in the interface or scanning the barcode for specific picking order. Once the order is scanned,
+select the product by tapping or scanning a barcode and scan the lot or serial number for each
+quantity.
+
+.. tip::
+   Because vendor lot and serial number barcodes could be damaged in transit and arrive in a state
+   that cannot be scanned, it is a good practice to :ref:`set serial number or lot scanning to
+   optional <inventory/barcode/mandatory-scan>`. Otherwise, a broken barcode would block validation
+   of the receipt.
+
+For products that are starting out without a serial number, there are three options to manage them:
+manually typing in the number, generating them ahead of time, or disabling serial numbers for that
+operation.
+
+Manually input serial and lot numbers
+-------------------------------------
+
+For instances where there are few products or rare shipments, it may be easiest to type lot or
+serial numbers in at the time of receipt. After opening an existing receipt or creating a new one
+and scanning the product bar code, tap the :icon:`fa-pencil` :guilabel:`(pencil)` icon. Tap the
+:guilabel:`Serial/Lot Number` field and enter the serial number and tap :guilabel:`Confirm`.
+
+.. image:: serial_numbers_lots/manual-sn-input.png
+   :alt: Typing in a serial number.
+
+Generate serial numbers before a receipt
+----------------------------------------
+
+Lot and serial numbers can be generated from a scheduled receipt before the products arrive. This
+has the advantage of making it possible to print all the serial numbers with the picking order for
+the receipt.
+
+To generate lot and serial numbers, in the **Inventory** app click :guilabel:`Receipts` and select
+the receipt that requires generated lot or serial numbers. In the :guilabel:`Operations` tab, find
+the line for the product, and click the :icon:`fa-list` :guilabel:`(list)` icon. In the
+:guilabel:`Open: Stock move` pop-up menu, click :guilabel:`Generate Serials/Lots`.
+
+.. image:: serial_numbers_lots/serial-number-generate.png
+   :alt: Generate serial numbers for an incoming shipment.
+
+.. seealso::
+   :ref:`Assign serial numbers <inventory/product_management/assign-sn>`
+
+Disable lot and serial numbers for a receipt
+--------------------------------------------
+
+With lot and serial numbers disabled for an operation, products that are tracked by these methods
+can be received without supplying a serial number or lot number. It is still possible to scan a
+serial number at the receipt stage, but the missing numbers will need to be :ref:`created in the
+Inventory app <inventory/product_management/already-in-stock>`.
+
+To disable the use of serial numbers for a particular operation type, go to
+:menuselection:`Inventory app --> Configuration --> Operations Types` and select the operation type.
+In the :guilabel:`LOTS/SERIAL NUMBERS` section, untick :guilabel:`Create New` and :guilabel:`Use
+Existing ones`.
+
+.. image:: serial_numbers_lots/disable-serials-lots-for-op.png
+   :alt: Unchecked boxes next to 'Create New' and 'Use Existing ones'.
+
+.. note::
+   The *Create New* option will require the user to supply a serial number or lot number, either by
+   scanning or type (if :ref:`optional scan <inventory/barcode/mandatory-scan>` is enabled), and
+   will not :ref:`automatically generate serial numbers
+   <inventory/product_management/generate-serials>` the way the **Inventory** app can.