Inventory identification

The inventory service uses inventory identification numbers to differentiate products. Inventory identification numbers are also used for products that require differentiation, both physically and systematically, for product instances with slightly different characteristics.

Some common examples of such identification numbers are lot number, revision number, and manufacturing batch number or manufacturing dates. Different industries can have their own identification numbers. For example, some companies that deal with steel identify a roll of steel with a mill certificate number.

These identification numbers are not necessarily relevant to every product a company sells. For some products, a lot number uniquely defines all characteristics of a product whereas a revision number differentiates another product. The inventory service uses the term Inventory Tag Number to rationalize these unique product identification situations. In most cases, the Inventory Tag Number represents one of the real life manufacturing or customization numbers such as lot number, batch number, or revision number based on the product.

In most cases, the Inventory Tag Number is used by the inventory service and the physical product carries the actual relevant inventory identification numbers. However, inventory availability is shown across the tag numbers.