The Significance of Lot Attributes for Chemical Manufacturers Using Microsoft Dynamics AX

Chief Solutions Architect for Solugenix Corporation, Scott Hamilton writes extensively about lot (batch) attributes. In chemical manufacturing, lot attributes are used extensively and the actual value of a lot attribute may be used to support several critical business needs from generating a certificate of analysis to reserving a  specific lot that meets customer specifications.

Scott has analyzed the significance of lot attributes within the various contexts and explains the solution approaches within Dynamics AX illustrating with a case study of cobalt products.

Note: Dynamics AX employs the term "batch" rather than "lot" because the term "lot id" applies to an internally-assigned identifier for inventory transactions. Therefore, Scott has used the term "batch" throughout his article instead of "lot".

Foundation of Batch Tracking Information
Batch tracking provides the foundation for handling batch-related information such as batch attributes.  As part of the item master information within Dynamics AX, users indicate whether an item requires batch tracking as well as the policies about how and when the internal batch numbers are assigned.

One or more batch attributes can be assigned to a batch-controlled item, and actual values recorded against the batch numbers for the item.  The actual values can then be used when searching for applicable batches, such as searching for and reserving an applicable batch during sales order entry.  Examples of a batch attribute depend on the material and industry, such as an impurity percentage for an inorganic chemical or the active ingredient percentage for a drug. 

Setup Information for Batch Attributes
The setup information con­sists of the definition of a batch attribute and the assignment of batch attributes to an item. As an optional step, users can specify a customer's requirements for an item's batch attributes, so that the information can be used as part of batch attribute searching during order entry.

Recording Actual Values for Batch Attributes
The actual value for an item's batch attribute can be recorded after creation of an internal batch number.  The actual value may be recorded during the receiving or production processing, or at a subsequent time.  When the batch attribute reflects an integer or fraction, Dynamics AX will provide a warning or prevent entry (based on the tolerance policy) when the actual value exceeds the minimum or maximum.

The actual values for the attributes of a specific batch can be used in a certificate of analysis.  They can also be used as the basis for assigning a batch disposition code that enforces restrictions on material usage, such as preventing usage for production or sales orders.

Batch Attribute Searching Logic
You can search for an appropriate batch of inventory based on actual values of the item's batch attributes.  This is termed a batch attribute search. After defining the search criteria, the search information can be saved in a template with a user-defined name so that it can be easily reused.

Batch Attribute Searching During Sales Order Processing 
A critical issue for many chemical manufacturers involves the reservation of an applicable batch during sales order processing.  During order entry a batch attribute search can be manually initiated to find and reserve an applicable batch.  The search criteria will be automatically populated by the customer-specific item attri­butes (if specified), along with their values for a required minimum and maxi­mum.  Alternatively, the search criteria can be automatically populated by viewing and then selecting a previously shipped batch, reflecting situa­tions in which the customer wants the same criteria on a new sales order.  Use of the search criteria will result in a displayed list of applicable batches that meet the customer's requirements, so that the applicable batch can be reserved.


The regulatory requirements in chemical manufacturing often involve batch tracking from raw materials to finished items.  As part of the batch-related information, batch attributes for specific batches of purchased and manufactured materials can be recorded.  The actual value of a batch attribute may be used for several purposes, such as reserving a specific batch that meets customer specifications on a sales order line.

The full content of this article including the case study and detailed explanation of the various contexts is available on the Solugenix website.