Repair of Traceable Items

Trace receipt, repair, and re-issuance

Create an unbroken chain of documentation for both lot and serialized items from RMA to work order to return to the customer.

Unlike virtually every other ERP package on the market, ALERE can easily receive, repair, rework, or upgrade an item, then, if desired, return the part with the same serial or lot-number to either inventory or the customer. ALERE’s reporting mechanisms can them be used to establish a complete history of every document which the lot or serial number has been associated.

By allowing, but not requiring, the transformation of a lot or serial number, ALERE eliminates a significant portion of the work that would otherwise be required to establish complete traceability with in the ERP system.

RMA's

A Return Order starts the process

The process starts by creating either a return order, or sales order with a line item of return, specifying the item and its unique serial or lot number being received. Users can choose or create an inventory location to evaluate and stage the item for rework.

Work Order

Use a rework order

A rework tagged work order is then generated in ALERE’s Order module for the item number, and the item is issued to it by specifying the appropriate lot or serial number. Stocking the item in a virtual “rework” location in the previous step makes this process significantly easier. Users can then create the work order, or use MRP to generate the work order from a sales order if the return line was used.

Customize Work Order

Edit the work order as necessary

Depending on the material and work required to rework the item, a material list and route can be created for the purposes of reworking the item. As outlined in the Modifiable Work Order concept, a BOM is not required for this step.

Alternatively diagnosis time, rework labor, and material may be directly issued to the work order using the work order transactions.

Finished Goods

Return item to inventory

Once the rework is completed the finished good is posted to inventory under the same part number and ready to be reissued. By assigning the same the lot or serial number as the input material, ALERE will automatically link the documents together and sequence them by date clearly documenting the entire lifecycle of the part.