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Automated Lot & Expiry Management Software: Your Guide

Automated lot & expiry management software dashboard.

That sinking feeling when a recall notice hits your desk is something no one wants to experience. The frantic scramble through spreadsheets, the hours spent trying to trace a single batch, and the constant worry about compliance gaps—it’s a stressful and inefficient way to run a business. In the pharmaceutical world, these manual processes aren’t just a headache; they’re a significant risk to patient safety and your bottom line. This is precisely the chaos that automated lot and expiry management software is designed to eliminate. It replaces guesswork with certainty, giving you a clear, real-time view of every product in your supply chain. This guide will walk you through exactly what this software is and how it provides the control you need.

Key Takeaways

  • Treat Lot Management as a Compliance Cornerstone: For pharmaceutical companies, this software is essential for meeting DSCSA standards. It provides the end-to-end traceability needed to manage recalls with precision and maintain a complete, audit-ready history for every product.
  • Choose a Unified System Over Patchwork Tools: A purpose-built serialized ERP integrates lot tracking directly into your core operations. This approach eliminates the data silos and compliance risks that come from trying to connect multiple, generic software solutions.
  • Success Hinges on Clean Data and Team Buy-In: The best software can’t fix inaccurate data or a resistant team. Ensure a smooth transition by cleaning your data before implementation and providing thorough, role-specific training to get everyone on board and using the system correctly.

What is Automated Lot and Expiry Management Software?

Think of automated lot and expiry management software as your digital command center for inventory control. At its core, this software automates the process of tracking specific batches of products—or “lots”—from the moment they enter your facility to the moment they leave. It meticulously records production dates, movement, storage locations, and, most importantly, expiration dates. This isn’t just about knowing what you have on hand; it’s about having precise control over every single unit.

For any business dealing with perishable or regulated goods, this level of detail is non-negotiable. The system helps you optimize your entire stock control process, ensuring that products are sold or used in the right order, minimizing waste from expired items, and providing a complete history for every batch. This detailed tracking is the foundation for better quality control, streamlined operations, and airtight regulatory compliance, which is especially critical in the pharmaceutical industry.

What It Does and Why It Matters

This software does more than just stamp dates on inventory. It provides a full-spectrum view of your product lifecycle, which is crucial for managing items with a limited shelf life, like pharmaceuticals. The system automates record-keeping, which means less manual data entry and fewer human errors. This leads to enhanced inventory management, improved product quality, and a much stronger handle on regulatory requirements. In the event of a product recall, you can instantly identify and locate the affected batches, protecting both patients and your business from potential harm. It’s about moving from reactive problem-solving to proactive quality assurance.

How It Connects With Your Existing Systems

Effective lot and expiry management software doesn’t operate in a silo. It’s designed to be the connective tissue between your most critical business functions. The real power comes from its ability to integrate with your existing systems, like a comprehensive serialized ERP. By linking with your accounting, sales, and production data, the software creates a unified view of your entire operation. This integration allows you to manage sales, production, and purchasing from a single platform, ensuring that every department is working with the same accurate, real-time information and eliminating costly data discrepancies.

Staying Compliant, Automatically

In the pharmaceutical world, compliance isn’t optional—it’s the bedrock of your business. Automated lot and expiry management software is designed to help you meet strict regulatory standards, like those outlined in the DSCSA, without the manual-process headache. The software provides the lot-level traceability required to prevent compliance gaps and manage the risk of recalls. By automating the documentation of every product’s journey through the supply chain, you create an indisputable audit trail. This ensures you can always prove where a product came from, where it went, and that it was handled correctly, making audits smoother and giving you confidence in your compliance posture.

Key Features Your Software Needs

When you’re evaluating software, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of features. But for an industry as regulated and complex as pharmaceuticals, some capabilities are simply non-negotiable. The right platform isn’t just a tool; it’s the backbone of your compliance and operational strategy. It should streamline your processes, provide clear visibility, and protect you from risk. Think of it as your central nervous system for lot and expiry management. A purpose-built solution like a serialized ERP integrates these critical functions into one cohesive system, eliminating the need to patch together multiple, disconnected tools. Let’s walk through the essential features you should look for to ensure your software can handle the unique demands of the pharmaceutical supply chain.

Track Products in Real Time

This is the foundation. You need to know exactly what you have and where it is at all times. Real-time inventory management shows you precisely how much stock is on hand, committed to orders, or expected to arrive, across all your storage locations. For pharmaceuticals, this isn’t just good business—it’s a patient safety imperative. This level of visibility allows you to prevent stockouts of life-saving medications, execute swift and accurate recalls, and maintain the impeccable records required for regulatory audits. Your inventory management system should provide a live, accurate picture of every single item, from the moment it enters your facility to the moment it leaves.

Manage Inventory Across Multiple Locations

The pharmaceutical supply chain is rarely confined to one building. You’re likely dealing with multiple warehouses, third-party logistics (3PL) partners, and distribution centers. Your software needs to handle this complexity with ease. Look for multi-location warehouse management features to track and control your expanding inventory, no matter where it’s physically located. A centralized system breaks down data silos, giving every stakeholder a single source of truth. This ensures that whether you’re a pharmaceutical manufacturer or distributor, you can manage your entire network cohesively, making smarter decisions about stock transfers and fulfillment.

Integrate Quality Control Checks

In pharmaceuticals, quality isn’t just a goal; it’s a strict requirement. Your software should be an active partner in upholding your quality standards. The ability to integrate quality control checks directly into your workflow is crucial. This means you can perform and document checks to make sure products meet all specifications before they ever reach a customer. The system should allow you to quarantine batches pending inspection, record outcomes, and maintain a complete history for every lot. This feature is a cornerstone of a robust compliance strategy, providing an auditable trail that proves you’re meeting your quality assurance obligations.

Get Clear, Actionable Reports

Data is only useful if you can understand it. Your software should transform raw numbers into clear, actionable insights. Strong reporting capabilities allow you to do more than just track inventory; they help you optimize your entire operation. For example, detailed reports can help identify employees who might have caused a quality issue, so they can get more training. You should also be able to generate reports on expiring products to prioritize sales, analyze lot traceability for audits, and monitor key performance indicators. With powerful business intelligence analytics, you can spot trends, prevent problems, and make data-driven decisions with confidence.

Automate Your Reordering Process

Running out of a critical product or raw material is not an option. The best software helps you shift from a reactive to a proactive purchasing strategy. Look for a system that automatically suggests when to buy more materials to prevent stock-outs. By setting intelligent reorder points based on historical sales data, lead times, and demand forecasts, you can ensure a continuous supply without tying up excess capital in safety stock. This level of financial automation streamlines your procurement process, reduces the risk of human error, and keeps your supply chain running smoothly and efficiently.

Keep Your Data Secure

Data security in the pharmaceutical industry is about more than just protecting trade secrets; it’s about ensuring patient safety and regulatory compliance. Effective inventory management faces significant challenges without precise lot tracking, risking compliance gaps and costly recalls. Your software must have robust security features, including user-based access controls, complete audit trails that log every action, and secure data storage. This is especially critical for meeting regulations like the Drug Supply Chain Security Act. A system that prioritizes data integrity is essential for proving what is DSCSA compliance and protecting your business from the severe consequences of a data breach or compliance failure.

Is This Software Right for Your Industry?

Automated lot and expiry management isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. While the core goal—tracking products from creation to consumer—is universal, the stakes and specific rules change dramatically from one industry to another. What works for a food producer might not meet the stringent demands of a pharmaceutical company. Let’s look at how this software applies to different sectors, so you can see exactly where it fits into your world.

Pharmaceuticals

In the pharmaceutical world, lot tracking is more than just good inventory management—it’s a matter of public health and regulatory survival. Every single product must be traceable to ensure patient safety and facilitate immediate recalls if an issue arises. This is where a robust system becomes your best defense. It allows you to maintain compliance with strict regulations like the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA), which mandates an electronic, interoperable system to track prescription drugs. With a serialized ERP, you can trace each package from the production line to the pharmacy shelf, protecting your supply chain from counterfeit products and ensuring you can act decisively when it matters most.

Food and Beverage

For anyone in the food and beverage industry, the clock is always ticking. Managing shelf life and expiration dates is absolutely crucial for food safety and your bottom line. Automated software helps you stay ahead by tracking products from farm to fork, ensuring freshness and minimizing costly spoilage. When you can pinpoint the exact location of a specific batch, you can manage recalls with surgical precision, pulling only the affected products instead of clearing entire shelves. This not only helps you meet food safety rules but also builds trust with consumers who count on you for safe, high-quality products. It’s about reducing waste and protecting your brand’s reputation with every bite.

Cosmetics

The cosmetics industry balances creativity with strict quality control, and lot tracking is vital for maintaining that balance. From foundation to face cream, products are made in batches, and slight variations can occur. Lot tracking software helps you monitor the production history of every single batch, which is essential for quality assurance. If a customer reports an adverse reaction, you can instantly trace the product back to its specific lot to investigate. This capability is key for managing product recalls efficiently and complying with health regulations that protect consumers. It ensures you can act quickly to maintain customer safety and uphold the integrity of your brand.

Medical Devices

When it comes to medical devices, there is zero room for error. From pacemakers to surgical tools, these products directly impact patient outcomes, making traceability a critical safety requirement. Implementing lot tracking software is essential for meeting the rigorous standards set by regulatory bodies. It allows you to trace every component and finished device back to its origin, providing a complete history for quality assurance. This is fundamental for managing recalls and complying with regulations like the FDA’s Unique Device Identification (UDI) system. Having this level of control isn’t just about compliance; it’s about ensuring the devices that medical professionals and patients rely on are safe and effective.

How This Software Improves Your Bottom Line

Adopting new software can feel like just another expense, but a robust automated lot and expiry management system is a direct investment in your company’s financial health. It’s about moving beyond reactive problem-solving and creating a proactive, streamlined operation that plugs financial leaks you might not even know you have. By automating the tracking of every single product batch, you gain a level of control that manual processes and spreadsheets simply can’t offer. This control translates into tangible savings and smarter business decisions.

Instead of spending hours tracing a product’s journey or manually checking expiration dates, your team can focus on growth. The right system doesn’t just track data; it provides clear insights that help you optimize every corner of your supply chain. You can see which products are moving, which are nearing expiry, and where bottlenecks are costing you money. With powerful business intelligence analytics, you can turn raw data into a clear roadmap for improving profitability, ensuring compliance, and building a more resilient business. It’s about making every product, every process, and every person more effective.

Reduce Waste and Save Money

Expired inventory is more than just a write-off; it’s a direct hit to your profits. Automated lot and expiry management software helps you implement a First-Expired, First-Out (FEFO) strategy with precision. The system automatically flags products nearing their expiration date, ensuring your team prioritizes them for sale or use. This simple shift drastically reduces spoilage and the costs associated with disposal. By optimizing your stock rotation, you ensure that you’re selling through products efficiently instead of throwing them away. Better inventory management means less waste, a healthier bottom line, and a more sustainable operation.

Improve Product Traceability

In the pharmaceutical industry, a product recall isn’t a matter of if, but when. How you respond makes all the difference. With automated lot tracking, you can pinpoint the exact location of a specific batch in minutes, not days. This end-to-end traceability allows you to conduct swift, surgical recalls that isolate the affected products without disrupting your entire supply chain. This capability not only saves you from massive financial losses but also protects your brand’s reputation. A purpose-built serialized ERP provides the granular tracking needed to manage these events with confidence and control, minimizing risk and maintaining customer trust.

Simplify Compliance Management

Meeting regulatory requirements can feel like a full-time job, with complex rules and the constant threat of audits and fines. Automated lot and expiry management software embeds compliance directly into your daily workflow. It creates a detailed, unchangeable audit trail for every product, making it easy to generate reports and prove adherence to standards. For pharmaceutical companies, this is critical for meeting regulations like the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA). The system automates the documentation process, reducing the risk of human error and giving you the peace of mind that you’re always prepared for an inspection.

Strengthen Quality Assurance

Maintaining product quality is essential for customer safety and brand integrity. Automated lot tracking is a powerful tool for your quality assurance team. If a quality issue is identified with a specific batch of raw materials or a finished product, you can instantly trace every item associated with that lot. This allows you to quickly quarantine potentially affected stock before it ever reaches a customer. By integrating quality checks into your process, you can catch issues early, prevent widespread problems, and uphold the high standards your customers expect. This proactive approach to quality is one of the core features of a well-designed system.

Increase Operational Efficiency

Time spent on manual data entry, searching for products, or reconciling inventory records is time your team could be spending on more valuable tasks. Automation eliminates these repetitive, error-prone activities. The software can streamline everything from receiving and put-away to picking and shipping, guiding your team to the right products every time. This reduces labor costs, minimizes mistakes, and speeds up your entire fulfillment process. By implementing financial automation and operational controls, you create a smoother, more efficient workflow that allows your business to scale without adding significant overhead.

Common Implementation Hurdles (And How to Clear Them)

Switching to a new software system can feel like a huge undertaking, and let’s be honest, it sometimes is. But knowing what to expect can make all the difference. Most of the challenges that come with implementing automated lot and expiry management software aren’t unique. They’re common roadblocks that you can plan for and overcome with the right strategy. Instead of waiting for problems to appear, you can get ahead of them by focusing on a few key areas: your data, your existing technology, your team, and your budget.

Thinking through these elements beforehand turns a potentially stressful process into a structured, manageable project. It’s about preparing your foundation so the new system can be set up for success from day one. By tackling these hurdles proactively, you ensure a smoother transition and start seeing the benefits of your new software—like better inventory management and tighter compliance—much faster. Let’s walk through each of these common challenges and the practical steps you can take to clear them.

Ensuring Your Data is Accurate

The old saying “garbage in, garbage out” is especially true here. Your new software is only as good as the data you feed it. If your current records are full of errors, duplicates, or missing information, you’re just migrating problems into a more sophisticated system. Before you even think about implementation, you need to perform a thorough data audit. This means cleaning up your existing spreadsheets and databases to ensure every lot number, expiry date, and product detail is correct.

Taking the time to maintain high data quality is non-negotiable. Once your data is clean, establish clear protocols for how new information is entered moving forward. This ensures your system remains a reliable source of truth, powering accurate reports and trustworthy traceability.

Integrating with Your Current Tech Stack

Your lot management software doesn’t operate in a vacuum. It needs to communicate with the other systems you rely on every day, from your accounting software to your warehouse management system (WMS) and CRM. A clunky integration can create data silos and disrupt your entire workflow. The key is to find a solution that can integrate with your existing business platforms seamlessly.

Before choosing a vendor, map out your current technology stack and identify every point of connection. Ask potential providers about their API capabilities and whether they offer pre-built integrations for the tools you already use. A purpose-built platform like a serialized ERP often consolidates these functions, which can simplify your tech stack and reduce integration headaches from the start.

Getting Your Team On Board

You can have the best software in the world, but it won’t do you any good if your team doesn’t use it correctly—or at all. Change can be difficult, and resistance from employees is a common hurdle. The best way to get everyone on board is to involve them early and provide thorough training. Explain why you’re making the change and how it will make their jobs easier, not harder.

Focus on role-specific training sessions so everyone understands how the software impacts their daily tasks. It’s also helpful to identify a few “super-users” who can act as go-to resources for their colleagues. When your team feels confident and supported, they’re far more likely to embrace the new system and help you get the most out of your investment.

Understanding the True Cost

The price tag on the software is just one piece of the financial puzzle. To avoid surprise expenses, you need to consider the total cost of ownership. This includes one-time fees for implementation and data migration, as well as ongoing costs for training, customer support, and software licenses. Be sure to ask vendors for a complete breakdown of all potential charges so you can create a realistic budget.

It’s also important to weigh these expenses against the cost of inaction. How much money are you currently losing to expired products, inefficient processes, or potential compliance fines? When you factor in the savings and risk reduction, the investment in a robust system often pays for itself quickly, making it a smart financial decision for your business.

Comparing the Top Software Options

Choosing the right software is a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The key is to find a solution that fits the specific, and often strict, demands of your industry. While many systems offer lot tracking, they aren’t all created equal, especially when it comes to pharmaceuticals. Let’s break down how to compare your options so you can find the perfect fit for your business.

Why RxERP is Built for Pharma

In the pharmaceutical world, lot and expiry management isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about safety and compliance. Generic ERPs can often handle basic tracking, but they weren’t designed for the complexities of regulations like the DSCSA. RxERP is different because it was built by pharma, for pharma. This means features like serialized ERP aren’t add-ons; they’re part of the core system. This specialized approach helps you manage inventory precisely, maintain product quality, and automate recordkeeping for seamless compliance. Instead of trying to make a general system work, you get a platform that already understands and solves your biggest challenges from day one.

Exploring Other Solutions

Of course, it’s smart to understand the entire landscape. You’ll find other solutions on the market, like MRPeasy, which is geared toward small to medium-sized manufacturers, or SYSPRO, which offers robust end-to-end traceability for various industries. These are solid systems for what they do, but they often require significant customization to meet pharmaceutical standards. When evaluating them, ask specific questions: Does their traceability meet DSCSA requirements? Can the system handle complex recall scenarios with the speed and accuracy your industry demands? For many in pharma, the cost and risk of adapting a generic system outweigh the benefits of choosing a purpose-built solution from the start.

How to Compare Pricing Models

When you look at pricing, think about the total cost of ownership, not just the monthly subscription fee. A cheaper upfront option might come with hidden costs for implementation, customization, or critical support. Ask vendors for a clear breakdown of their pricing. Consider your own operations: How many SKUs are you managing? Do you need to track inventory across multiple warehouses? Understanding your needs will help you see which pricing tier or model makes the most sense. The right software should ultimately save you money by reducing waste and improving efficiency, so think of it as an investment in your company’s financial automation.

What to Look for in Trials and Support

A demo or free trial is your chance to see how the software performs in the real world. Before you start, make a list of your most critical daily tasks and test them in the system. Don’t just watch a sales presentation; get your hands on the software. Pay attention to how intuitive it is for your team. Equally important is the support you’ll receive after you sign on. What does the implementation process look like? What kind of training is offered? In a fast-moving industry, having a responsive and knowledgeable support team is non-negotiable. You’re not just buying software; you’re entering a partnership with the company behind it.

How to Measure Your Success

Implementing new software is a big step, but the work doesn’t stop at launch. To truly understand the value of your automated lot and expiry management system, you need to measure its impact. Tracking the right metrics will show you exactly how the software is improving your operations, protecting your bottom line, and ensuring you stay compliant. This isn’t just about justifying the investment; it’s about finding opportunities to refine your processes and get even better results over time.

Define Your Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Once your system is live, you need a clear way to evaluate its effectiveness. That’s where Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) come in. These are the specific, measurable values that show how well you’re meeting your business objectives. For pharma, this could mean tracking the reduction in expired product write-offs, the decrease in time spent on manual inventory counts, or the improvement in order accuracy. Powerful business intelligence analytics tools can help you visualize this data, making it easy to see your progress and share results with your team.

Analyze Your Inventory Turnover

How quickly are you moving products off your shelves? That’s what inventory turnover tells you, and it’s a vital sign of your supply chain’s health. A slow turnover rate can signal that products are sitting too long, increasing the risk of expiration. Automated software directly addresses this by enabling a First-Expired, First-Out (FEFO) strategy. The system flags lots nearing their expiry date, ensuring they are picked first. This improves your turnover rate, minimizes waste, and gets products to patients faster. Effective inventory management is about more than just knowing what you have; it’s about moving it efficiently.

Monitor Your Compliance Record

In the pharmaceutical industry, compliance isn’t optional—it’s the foundation of your business. Automated lot tracking provides an indisputable, digital audit trail for every single item in your supply chain. This automated recordkeeping is your best defense during an audit and is essential for meeting DSCSA requirements. Instead of scrambling through paperwork, you can pull up a complete product history in seconds. This not only simplifies audits but also drastically reduces the risk of costly fines and protects your reputation. Strong tools ensure your records are always accurate and accessible, giving you peace of mind.

Conduct a Cost-Benefit Analysis

To see the full return on your investment, you need to look beyond the initial price of the software. A cost-benefit analysis weighs the total costs—including implementation and training—against the tangible financial gains. The benefits quickly add up: less money lost to expired stock, lower labor costs from automating manual tasks, and the avoidance of steep non-compliance penalties. Over time, the right software doesn’t just pay for itself; it becomes a profit center by making your entire operation more efficient. With tools for financial automation, you can easily track these savings and see the software’s direct impact on your bottom line.

Tips for Long-Term Success

Choosing and implementing your automated lot and expiry management software is a huge step, but the work doesn’t stop once you go live. To get the most value from your investment, you need to treat it as an ongoing partnership. Think of your software as a dynamic tool that grows with your business, not a “set it and forget it” solution. Long-term success comes from a commitment to continuous refinement and learning. By regularly checking in on your system, empowering your team, and keeping your processes sharp, you can ensure your software continues to drive efficiency and maintain compliance for years to come.

Perform Regular System Audits

Once your system is up and running, it’s smart to schedule regular check-ups to make sure it’s performing as expected. Think of it like a routine physical for your operations. Set aside time quarterly or bi-annually to evaluate its effectiveness by analyzing system data and gathering feedback from your team. Are there recurring issues or bottlenecks? Are you using all the features that could help you? These audits are your chance to spot opportunities for improvement. Using powerful business intelligence analytics can help you dig into the data and see exactly where you can make your processes even smoother and more efficient.

Invest in Ongoing Team Training

Your software is only as powerful as the people who use it every day. Initial training is essential, but ongoing education is what truly makes a difference. As your team grows or your software gets updated with new features, continuous training ensures everyone is on the same page and using the system correctly. This commitment helps maintain data accuracy and process integrity across the board. When your team feels confident and capable with the software, they’re more likely to use it to its full potential, which directly impacts your operational efficiency and ability to manage inventory effectively.

Establish Clear Data Protocols

To get reliable outputs, you need reliable inputs. That’s why establishing clear, simple protocols for data entry and management is non-negotiable. Create a straightforward guide that outlines exactly how lot numbers, expiry dates, and other critical information should be entered and managed within the system. Standardizing this process reduces the risk of human error and ensures the data you rely on for reporting and decision-making is accurate. Consistent data is the foundation for everything else, from seamless traceability to airtight regulatory compliance, so it’s worth the effort to get it right from the start.

Always Look for Ways to Improve

The pharmaceutical landscape is always changing, with new regulations and technologies emerging all the time. To stay ahead, you have to adopt a mindset of continuous improvement. Keep an eye on software updates from your provider and stay informed about industry trends. Don’t be afraid to rethink your workflows if you find a better way to do things. Effective inventory management is a moving target, and without precise lot tracking, you risk creating compliance gaps or facing costly recalls. By staying proactive and leveraging helpful industry resources, you can ensure your operations remain efficient, compliant, and ready for whatever comes next.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is this different from the inventory module in a standard ERP? Think of it as the difference between a general practitioner and a specialist. A standard ERP can handle basic inventory counts, but it wasn’t designed for the strict regulatory environment of the pharmaceutical industry. A purpose-built system for lot and expiry management has critical features like serialized tracking, quality control workflows, and DSCSA compliance built into its DNA. It understands the unique demands of pharma, so you aren’t trying to force a generic tool to do a highly specialized job.

Is this software only for large pharmaceutical manufacturers? Not at all. This type of software is for any company in the supply chain that needs to maintain strict control over its products, regardless of size. Whether you’re a small distributor, a 3PL partner, or a large manufacturer, you face the same compliance rules and risks associated with expired or recalled products. The key factor isn’t your company’s size, but the complexity and regulatory requirements of the products you handle.

You mentioned FEFO. What is that and how does the software help? FEFO stands for “First-Expired, First-Out.” It’s an inventory strategy where you prioritize selling or using the products with the earliest expiration dates first. Manually, this can be a logistical nightmare. The software automates this process by flagging the correct lots for your warehouse team to pick, ensuring older stock is moved out before it expires. This simple, automated function is one of the most effective ways to reduce waste and protect your profit margins.

How exactly does this software help us meet DSCSA requirements? The Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) mandates an electronic, interoperable system to trace prescription drugs down to the package level. This software is designed to create that exact system. It captures and stores a complete digital history for every single unit as it moves through the supply chain. This provides the end-to-end traceability you need to verify products, respond to audits, and generate the necessary compliance reports with confidence.

What’s the biggest mistake companies make when implementing this software? The most common hurdle is underestimating the importance of clean data. Your new system is only as good as the information you put into it. Many companies make the mistake of migrating their existing inventory data—errors and all—directly into the new software. This just automates existing problems. Taking the time to audit, clean, and standardize your current lot numbers, product details, and expiry dates before you go live is the single most critical step for a smooth and successful implementation.