Raw Material to Finished Goods Traceability

Complete Production Visibility—Every Batch, Every Step, Fully Traceable

The Challenge

Manufacturing operations generate massive amounts of data—raw material receipts, production batches, quality checks, finished goods—but most of it is captured manually or not captured at all. When quality issues arise or regulatory audits demand proof, you're left scrambling through paper logs and spreadsheets.

  • No batch traceability—can't trace finished products back to raw material batches when quality issues surface
  • Manual production tracking—operators log production on paper, causing delays and errors in ERP updates
  • Compliance risk—FSSAI, ISO, and other regulatory audits require complete traceability that paper records can't provide
  • Quality issue blind spots—when customers report defects, you can't quickly identify which batches are affected
  • Work-in-process (WIP) mystery—no real-time visibility into what's actually on the production floor
  • Inventory discrepancies—hours or days of delay between physical operations and ERP records
  • Production inefficiency—can't optimize workflows because you don't have accurate data on cycle times and bottlenecks

You need automated, real-time traceability that captures every production step from RM receipt to FG dispatch.

The IoTReady Solution: Complete Production Traceability

Automated data capture at every production stage—from raw material to finished goods—with full batch traceability and ERP integration

1. Raw Material Receipt & GRN

Scan barcodes/QR codes at receiving, validate quantities with weight scales, automatically generate GRNs in your ERP. Link every incoming material to supplier, PO, and batch number.

2. Production Line Entry & Exit

Track when materials enter production lines, monitor work-in-process, capture operator actions, and log production output in real-time. Complete audit trail of who did what, when.

3. Work-in-Process (WIP) Tracking

Real-time visibility into what's on the production floor. Track materials as they move through production stages, monitor cycle times, identify bottlenecks before they impact delivery.

4. Finished Goods Packaging & Labeling

Automatic FG creation with batch number, manufacturing date, expiry date. Print compliant labels (barcode + human-readable) with all required regulatory information. Link FG batch to RM batches consumed.

5. Dispatch & Shipment

Scan-based dispatch ensures right products, right quantities go to right customers. Generate delivery notes automatically. Maintain complete chain of custody for audit compliance.

6. Batch-Level Traceability

When quality issues arise, instantly identify which raw material batches went into which finished goods batches. Trace forward (RM → FG) or backward (FG → RM) in seconds, not days.

Complete Production Workflow

Every step automated, every batch traceable, every action audited

graph LR
    RM[Raw Material
Receipt + GRN] --> PROD[Production
Line Entry/Exit] PROD --> FG[Finished Goods
Creation + Labels] FG --> SHIP[Dispatch
FIFO + Scanning] RM -.Batch Link.-> TRACE[Traceability
Engine] PROD -.Batch Link.-> TRACE FG -.Batch Link.-> TRACE SHIP -.Batch Link.-> TRACE ERP[ERP Integration] -.Real-time Sync.-> RM ERP -.Real-time Sync.-> FG ERP -.Real-time Sync.-> SHIP style RM fill:#0ea5e9,color:#fff style PROD fill:#8b5cf6,color:#fff style FG fill:#16a34a,color:#fff style SHIP fill:#f59e0b,color:#fff style TRACE fill:#dc2626,color:#fff style ERP fill:#6366f1,color:#fff

📥 Receiving: Barcode scan + weight validation → Auto GRN → ERP sync

🏭 Production: Line entry/exit tracking → WIP visibility → Operator authentication

📦 Packaging: FG creation → Compliant label printing → Warehouse putaway → ERP sync

🚚 Dispatch: FIFO picking → Scan verification → Auto delivery note → ERP sync

🔍 Traceability: Every batch linked (RM → Production → FG → Shipment) for instant forward/backward trace

Need more detail? Contact us for a detailed workflow diagram specific to your production process.
Request Detailed Diagram →

Technology Stack

Flexible technology options based on your production environment and requirements

📱 Mobile App for Operators

Purpose: Frontline data capture at every production stage

Capabilities:

  • Barcode/QR scanning for material identification
  • Operator authentication (badge/PIN/biometric)
  • Guided workflows with instant validation
  • Green/red light feedback (accept/reject)
  • Photo capture for quality documentation
  • Offline mode with auto-sync

🏷️ Barcode & RFID Scanning

Barcode: WiFi-enabled handheld scanners, mobile app camera scanning

RFID (UHF): Bulk scanning for containers, pallets, high-volume operations

Benefits: No line-of-sight required for RFID, read 100s of tags simultaneously, works through packaging

Use Case: RFID for raw material containers, barcodes for individual items and finished goods

⚖️ Industrial Weight Scales

Integration: WiFi/Ethernet-connected scales for automatic weight capture

Validation: Compare actual weight vs. expected weight, flag discrepancies instantly

Applications:

  • RM receiving verification (PO qty vs actual)
  • Production output measurement
  • FG packaging validation
  • Dispatch quantity verification

🖨️ Label Printing

Thermal Printers: Industrial-grade barcode label printers (Zebra, TSC, etc.)

Label Content: Batch number, mfg date, expiry, barcode, product name, regulatory info

Compliance: FSSAI, ISO, GS1 barcode standards

Automation: Auto-print on FG creation, centralized label template management

Business Rules Engine: Automate Your SOPs

Encode your production workflows as business rules—automatically enforce SOPs without manual supervision

📋 SOP Enforcement

Example Rules:

  • Raw material must be quality-checked before production use
  • Operator must authenticate before line entry
  • Weight variance >2% triggers supervisor approval
  • Expired materials cannot be picked for production
  • FIFO must be followed for finished goods dispatch

Result: System prevents violations automatically—operators get red light if SOP not followed

🔄 Dynamic Workflows

Adaptive Logic:

  • Different workflows for different product types
  • Multi-stage approval for high-value materials
  • Conditional quality checks based on supplier history
  • Customer-specific packing requirements
  • Seasonal product routing (e.g., cold chain in summer)

Result: One platform handles all your product variants and production scenarios

⚠️ Real-Time Alerts

Intelligent Notifications:

  • Production line stopped >10 minutes → notify supervisor
  • Inventory below reorder level → notify procurement
  • Quality check failed → notify QC manager + block batch
  • Dispatch delay risk → notify logistics team
  • Material nearing expiry → notify warehouse team

Result: Problems are caught and escalated automatically, not hours later

📊 Batch Genealogy

Automatic Linkage:

  • Every FG batch linked to RM batches consumed
  • Track through intermediate (SFG) production stages
  • Link to production equipment, operator, timestamp
  • Connect to quality test results
  • Trace to customer shipments and complaints

Result: Complete batch genealogy for instant root cause analysis and recall management

Key Production Workflows

1. Raw Material Receipt & GRN

Step 1: Truck arrives at receiving dock. Operator scans QR code on delivery note to link to PO.

Step 2: Materials unloaded and scanned (barcode/RFID). Each item/container scanned individually or in bulk.

Step 3: Materials placed on industrial scale. System compares actual weight vs. PO quantity. Green light if match, red light + supervisor alert if variance >threshold.

Step 4: Operator confirms quality check (visual inspection, temperature, etc.). System automatically generates GRN in ERP with batch number, supplier, weight, timestamp, operator ID.

Result: RM receipt complete in 2-3 minutes. ERP updated in real-time. Complete audit trail captured.

2. Production Consumption & FG Creation

Step 1: Production supervisor creates production order in system (product, quantity, shift, line).

Step 2: Warehouse operator picks RM based on production order. System enforces FIFO—oldest materials picked first. Scans each RM batch going to production line.

Step 3: Operator scans materials at production line entry. System validates: correct RM for this product? Material not expired? Quality cleared?

Step 4: Production proceeds. At line exit, operator scans finished products. System captures: FG batch number, quantity, weight, operator, timestamp, linked RM batches.

Step 5: System auto-creates FG entry in ERP with complete batch genealogy. Automatically prints compliant labels (batch, mfg date, expiry, barcode).

Result: Every FG batch has complete traceability to RM batches consumed. Zero manual ERP entry.

3. Quality Issue Root Cause Analysis

Scenario: Customer reports quality issue with FG batch "FG-20251206-001"

Step 1: Quality manager enters FG batch number in traceability system.

Step 2: System instantly shows: Which RM batches were consumed? Which supplier? What production line? Which operator? What date/time? What were the weight readings?

Step 3: Manager identifies suspect RM batch. System shows: Which other FG batches used this RM? Where were they shipped? Are they still in warehouse?

Step 4: If recall needed, system generates report: All affected FG batches, customer shipments, warehouse locations. Instant recall list.

Result: Root cause identified in 2 minutes (vs. 2 days with paper records). Recall scope determined instantly. Full audit trail for regulatory reporting.

4. Regulatory Audit (FSSAI, ISO)

Scenario: FSSAI auditor requests proof of traceability for batch "FG-20251115-042"

Step 1: System generates complete batch genealogy report in 30 seconds: RM batches consumed (with supplier certificates), production date/time, operator IDs, weight readings, quality check results, dispatch details.

Step 2: Auditor spot-checks: "Show me where RM batch RM-2024110-123 is now." System shows: Consumed in FG batches X, Y, Z. FG-X shipped to customer A. FG-Y in warehouse bay C3. FG-Z in transit.

Step 3: Physical verification matches system records. Photos of labels, weight readings, timestamps all timestamped and immutable.

Result: Audit completed in hours (vs. days). Zero discrepancies. Complete documentation generated automatically.

Customer Success Stories

GoDesi: Complete Factory Operations Platform

Industry & Challenge

Industry: Food Manufacturing (Snacks & Sweets)

Challenge: No batch traceability, manual warehouse operations, FIFO violations, inventory discrepancies with ERPNext, no shopfloor visibility

Solution Deployed

  • End-to-end inventory management (RM to FG)
  • Production consumption tracking
  • Batch-level traceability for FSSAI compliance
  • Real-time ERPNext sync
  • FIFO enforcement for FG picking

Technologies Used

  • Barcode/QR scanning at all stages
  • Industrial weight scales for validation
  • Mobile app for operator workflows
  • Thermal label printers
  • Business rules engine

Results

  • FSSAI compliance with complete batch traceability
  • Zero inventory discrepancies with real-time ERP sync
  • Reduced wastage through FIFO enforcement
  • Instant audit reports for regulatory inspections
  • Shopfloor visibility for managers

Read Full Case Study →

Vedanta: RM to FG Traceability for Heavy Industry

Industry & Challenge

Industry: Metals Manufacturing (Aluminum & Copper)

Challenge: Track material flow from raw materials (bauxite, copper ore) to finished goods (ingots, billets) across 10+ facilities. Central visibility for CFOs. Reduce PI/PV time.

Solution Deployed

  • RFID-based RM to FG tracking
  • Real-time warehouse asset tracking
  • SAP integration for GRN/dispatch
  • Central CFO dashboards
  • PI/PV automation with handheld RFID

Technologies Used

  • UHF RFID readers (fixed + handheld)
  • RFID tags on containers/pallets
  • SAP integration via REST APIs
  • Real-time dashboards
  • Mobile apps for inventory audit

Results

  • Real-time inventory visibility across facilities
  • Reduced PI/PV time with bulk RFID scanning
  • Central dashboards for CFOs showing all locations
  • SAP sync eliminating manual data entry
  • Material flow tracking from RM to FG

Read Full Case Study →

Use Cases Across Industries

🍽️ Food & Beverage Manufacturing

Compliance: FSSAI requires complete traceability from raw materials to finished products

Critical Needs:

  • Batch traceability for recall management
  • FIFO enforcement to prevent expiry wastage
  • Quality checks at every production stage
  • Allergen tracking and cross-contamination prevention

Customer: GoDesi (snacks manufacturing)

🏭 Heavy Manufacturing (Metals, Automotive)

Compliance: ISO 9001 quality management, customer-specific traceability requirements

Critical Needs:

  • Material grade verification and tracking
  • Heat number and lot traceability
  • Production process parameters logging
  • Certificate of conformance generation

Customer: Vedanta (aluminum & copper)

💊 Pharmaceuticals

Compliance: FDA, WHO-GMP, Schedule M requirements for complete traceability

Critical Needs:

  • API and excipient traceability by batch
  • Environmental monitoring (temp/humidity) correlation
  • Equipment cleaning validation records
  • Audit trail for 21 CFR Part 11 compliance

Regulatory-ready traceability for drug manufacturing

👕 Textile & Apparel

Compliance: Customer requirements for ethical sourcing, supply chain transparency

Critical Needs:

  • Fabric roll tracking from receipt to cutting
  • Dye lot traceability for color consistency
  • Work order tracking through production stages
  • Quality defect tracking and rework management

Full garment genealogy from fabric to finished product

Why Choose IoTReady for Production Traceability?

⚡ Rapid Deployment

Go live in days, not months. Low-code platform means you can configure workflows yourself without waiting for IT resources or vendor customization.

🔧 Highly Configurable

Business rules engine adapts to your SOPs. Different workflows for different products, facilities, customers—all in one platform without custom code.

🔗 Seamless ERP Integration

Real-time sync with SAP, Zoho, ERPNext, or any ERP via REST APIs. No duplicate data entry. Operations data flows automatically to your system of record.

📱 Operator-Friendly

Intuitive mobile app with green/red light feedback. Operators see instant validation—no training manuals required. Works offline with auto-sync.

✅ Compliance-Ready

Complete audit trails for FSSAI, ISO, FDA, GMP. Auto-generate batch genealogy reports, certificates of conformance, regulatory documentation.

🏆 Proven at Scale

Deployed across 1,500+ locations in 100+ cities. Trusted by food manufacturers (GoDesi), heavy industry (Vedanta), and e-commerce (BigBasket).

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to deploy complete production traceability?
Typically 1-3 weeks for initial deployment. We start with a pilot on one production line or SKU (3-7 days to go live), map workflows and configure business rules, then roll out to additional lines using the proven configuration. Most customers are operational across multiple production lines within 4-6 weeks. GoDesi went live with complete RM to FG traceability for food manufacturing.
Does this work with our existing ERP system?
Yes. We integrate with SAP, ERPNext, Zoho, Oracle, Tally, and custom ERPs via REST APIs or database connectors. System pulls item master, BOM, and PO data from ERP, then pushes GRN, production consumption, FG creation, and dispatch records back automatically. See our ERP integration pages for technical details and supported systems.
What technologies do you use for tracking?
We support barcode/QR scanning (cost-effective, works with existing labels), RFID (UHF) (bulk scanning for containers and pallets), weight scales (quantity validation at receiving and dispatch), vision cameras with OCR (reading engraved IDs on metal components), and mobile apps (operator workflows). Choice depends on your production environment and traceability requirements.
Can we trace backward from finished goods to raw materials?
Yes—instant backward traceability. Enter FG batch number, system shows: which RM batches were consumed, supplier details, quality test results, production line and operator, timestamps for every step. Perfect for quality investigations and recalls. Vedanta uses this for metals traceability (ingots to finished products).
What about forward traceability for recalls?
Yes—instant forward traceability. Enter suspect RM batch number, system shows: which FG batches consumed this RM, where those FG batches are now (warehouse, customer, in-transit), customer shipment details. Generate recall list in seconds, not days. Critical for FSSAI, FDA, and ISO compliance.
How do business rules work?
Encode your SOPs as automated validation rules. Examples: RM must be quality-checked before production use, expired materials blocked automatically, FIFO enforced for FG picking, weight variance >2% triggers supervisor approval. Operators get green/red light feedback instantly. Rules configurable via low-code platform—no custom coding required.
What's the typical compliance improvement?
Customers achieve 100% audit readiness for FSSAI, ISO, FDA, and GMP requirements. Complete batch genealogy reports generated in 30 seconds vs. 2+ days with manual records. Zero discrepancies during audits because system enforces data capture at source. GoDesi achieved full FSSAI compliance with automated batch traceability.
Can operators customize workflows themselves?
Yes. Our low-code platform allows operations teams to modify workflows with ~20 lines of Python. Different workflows for different products, seasonal routing, customer-specific packing requirements—all configurable without IT involvement. Changes deploy in minutes.
What happens if an operator skips a step?
System prevents violations automatically. If operator tries to skip mandatory steps (quality check, weight validation, supervisor approval), they get red light and system blocks progress. Supervisor alerted immediately. Complete audit trail of who attempted what, when. SOPs enforced by system, not supervision.
How scalable is the platform?
Handles millions of transactions daily across multiple facilities. GoDesi: complete food manufacturing traceability. Vedanta: RM to FG tracking across 10+ heavy industry facilities with central CFO dashboards. BigBasket: 670+ locations with unified traceability. Works equally well for single-plant operations or multi-facility enterprises.

Ready to Achieve Complete Production Traceability?

Stop scrambling through paper logs during audits. Get instant batch traceability from raw material to finished goods.

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