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A Production Batch Number (PBN) is the unique identifier that Avstarna assigns to every production run. From the moment a batch is created to the moment finished goods leave your facility, the PBN acts as the single thread that connects tasks, inventory records, printed labels, and outbound shipments — giving you full traceability at every step.

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What Is a PBN?

A PBN is automatically generated when you start a new production run. It serves two purposes:
  1. Internal tracking — links all activity within Avstarna (tasks, stock movements, label prints) to a specific batch of a specific product.
  2. External reference — each PBN has a unique hash ID that you can share with customers, auditors, or logistics partners for traceability without exposing internal data.
PBNs follow a structured format. For example, a batch produced in 2024 might look like RNU22012024, where the trailing digits encode the year of production.
Every label printed for a batch carries the PBN alongside the LOT number and expiration date. This means you can trace any unit back to its exact production run just by scanning a label.

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The PBN Lifecycle

1

Create the PBN

Open a new production batch from the Production module. Avstarna generates a unique PBN and hash ID. You select the product sub-variant being produced and the target output quantity.
2

Assign Tasks

Break the batch into tasks — for example, mixing, filling, baking, and cooling — and assign them to team members or production lines. Task completion is tracked against the PBN in real time.
3

Record Inventory Output

When production is complete, you record the finished goods output. Avstarna adds the produced quantity directly to inventory, linked to the PBN so the stock origin is always traceable.
4

Print Labels

Generate product labels and box labels for the batch. Labels automatically pull the PBN, LOT number, expiration date, and allergen data from the batch and product records — no manual entry required.
5

Distribute

Attach batch inventory to outbound orders. The PBN is recorded on transactions and shipping documents, so you always know which orders received goods from which production run.

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What a PBN Connects To

The PBN is the central reference across several areas of Avstarna:
Connected RecordHow the PBN Is Used
InventoryFinished stock is recorded against the PBN so you know which batch each unit came from
TasksProduction tasks are grouped under the PBN for progress tracking
LabelsProduct and box labels print the PBN for full unit-level traceability
TransactionsOutbound distribution records reference the PBN for audit trails
OrdersWhen fulfilling orders, the PBN links delivered goods back to their batch

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Why PBNs Matter for Traceability

If a quality issue is ever identified, the PBN lets you act quickly. You can immediately see:
  • What was produced — the exact product sub-variant and quantity
  • When it was produced — batch creation and task completion timestamps
  • Where it went — which orders and customers received stock from that batch
Regulatory and retail audits often require lot-level traceability. Keeping PBNs consistent and complete in Avstarna means you’re always audit-ready without extra manual record-keeping.
Use the PBN hash ID when communicating with external parties. It gives them a reference they can verify without requiring access to your internal Avstarna system.