For pharmacies, food and beverage, cosmetics and FMCG businesses, every item has a shelf life. Without batch and expiry tracking, you end up either selling expired goods — a safety and legal risk — or writing off stock that quietly aged out on the shelf. Batch and expiry tracking turns that blind spot into something you control.
What is batch and expiry tracking?
Instead of treating an item as one big pile, you track it in batches — each with its own batch number and expiry date. The system always knows how much of each batch you hold and which batches are closest to expiring.
Why it matters
- Stop selling or dispatching expired stock (a safety and compliance issue).
- Cut write-offs by acting on near-expiry stock before it's too late.
- Handle recalls instantly by tracing a specific batch.
- Support supplier claims and returns with batch records.
FEFO: first expiry, first out
The golden rule for dated stock is FEFO — first expiry, first out. The oldest-expiring batch should sell first. With batch tracking, the system guides picking and billing toward the nearest-expiry batch, so stock moves before it ages out.
Who needs it
- Pharmacies and pharma distributors (medicines).
- Food, beverage and bakery businesses.
- Cosmetics and personal care.
- Agro-chemicals and any dated or perishable stock.
Beyond expiry: serial tracking for high-value goods
Dated stock needs batches; high-value units need serials. If you also sell mobiles, laptops or batteries, you'll want serial/IMEI tracking too — see our guide to serial and IMEI tracking for electronics retailers.
How AmalERP does it
AmalERP tracks stock by batch and expiry date across multiple locations and branches, with near-expiry visibility so you can act in time — and serial-number tracking for high-value items. Everything posts to your inventory and accounts automatically.