Lot Tracking & Traceability Software
Lot tracking means recording where each batch of incoming material came from, which production runs used it, and which finished goods those runs made, so any lot can be traced forward to customers and backward to suppliers. Nstock, the inventory and production management platform for small manufacturers, records the lot number, batch code, supplier, expiry date, location and documents for every material lot, links each lot to the production batches that consumed it, and carries the batch code onto the finished goods the run produced.
Every material lot tracked from receipt through production to the finished goods it became, so pulling records for any lot takes minutes and recalls stay narrow.
How It Works
- 1
Receive with lot numbers
Incoming materials record lot, expiry, and location automatically.
- 2
Produce
Select which lots a production run consumes, genealogy is captured as you work.
- 3
Trace a lot
Use batch tickets and finished goods batch codes to follow any lot to the production runs and finished goods it touched, and the fulfillment audit log for orders filled from the Orders page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Nstock meet FDA/FSMA traceability needs?
Nstock records the lot-level genealogy FSMA-style audits ask for: which supplier lots entered which batches, and which finished goods they became, traceable in both directions. Pulling the documents for a lot takes minutes, and tracing forward to orders filled from the Orders page is typically a same-day cross-check of batch tickets and the audit log. Nstock supports your records, but requirements vary by product, so confirm what applies to you with a compliance professional.
Is lot tracking extra work for my team?
No, lots are captured at receiving and consumed during production runs as part of the normal workflow, so traceability is a byproduct of work your team already does.
Which industries need lot tracking most, including food, cosmetics and supplements?
Food and beverage, cosmetics, supplements, and any regulated or recall-exposed product need lot tracking most, and it also helps quality investigations in electronics and contract manufacturing. Nstock keeps the same lot record across these industries: lot number, batch code, supplier, expiry date, location, and attached documents such as certificates of analysis. Regulatory requirements vary by product and region, so confirm what applies to you with a compliance professional.
What is the difference between a lot number and a batch number?
A lot number identifies a quantity of material tracked together as one unit of inventory, such as one supplier delivery, while a batch number identifies a quantity produced in a single run. The terms overlap, and usage varies by industry. Nstock keeps both on the lot record, a lot number plus a batch code, and by default each production run gets a date-based batch number (auto-numbering can be switched to manual entry) that links finished goods back to the run.
How does a recall trace work with lot tracking?
A recall trace follows one supplier lot to the production batches that consumed it, then to the finished goods and orders that left stock. In Nstock, batch tickets list each component lot and finished lots link to their ticket by batch code. For orders fulfilled from the Orders page, the audit log entry lists the finished-goods lots deducted. Orders deducted automatically from connected stores use the same earliest-expiry-first rule but record no lot-level detail in the audit log.
Can you track expiry dates and use FEFO with lots?
Yes, Nstock stores an expiry date on each lot, and FEFO (first expired, first out) applies at order fulfillment: finished goods deduct from the earliest-expiring lots first. Expired and expiring lots appear in the analytics report and mobile alerts, plus an optional 30-day dashboard card. In production, Nstock suggests the oldest received raw material lot first, and you can choose another.