Hi Harry - thanks for taking the time to reply and share your experience with me.

Yes - it is quite a complex problem to handle. You outlined this well - i.e. when you need to substitute a material used in an assembly. I guess it boils down to having to reflect in data extactly what's happening in production with even the small changes being recorded. The company I am working for appreciate that the data they get out will only be as good and the data they put in. They will have to record pretty much everything...

The nature of the business is fairly strict. They do need to trace back to supplier order number and any other info given by the supplier at point of delivery. The materials involved are strictly tested and processed and the finished product packaged and despatched. From a sales order delivery they will need to able to tell exactly what materials were used, where they were sourced from and what processes the material went whilst in manufacture.

Added complications involve lots of QC testing and needing to know stock at locations, there is one physical warehouse but many quarantine and approved materials areas etc...

I think that once on the premises each material delivered can be given a unique batch or lot number that stays with it during it's lifecycle as you mentioned which will give traceability.

My thinking is not fully formed as yet and it has gaping wholes in it! But I am modeling it out and working through it...!

ATB

Chris