Stop Accidental Double-Scans During Receiving

If your GS1 barcodes include a (21) Serial Number that uniquely identifies each physical unit, you can now enable duplicate detection to prevent accidentally scanning the same item twice during receiving.

The Problem

During busy receiving sessions, it's easy to accidentally scan the same item twice — especially when processing large shipments quickly. For items where each unit has a unique GS1 serial number, this creates duplicate inventory records and throws off your counts.

This feature is for you if:

• Your GS1 barcodes include a (21) serial number segment
• Each physical unit has a unique (21) serial
• You want to prevent duplicate scans during receiving

This feature may not be for you if:

• Your GS1 barcodes don't include (21) serial numbers
• Your serial numbers are reused across multiple units
• You intentionally need to scan the same barcode multiple times

How It Works

When enabled, Tracktile checks the (21) serial number in each scanned GS1 barcode. If you've already scanned that serial in the current receiving session, the system blocks the duplicate and shows a warning — before it's added to your list.

Setting Up

The setting is configured per catalog item, so you can enable it only for items that have unique serials.

1. Navigate to Catalog
2. Open the catalog item you want to configure
3. Find the Details section
4. Enable Enforce Unique GS1 Serial
5. Save the catalog item

What to Expect

When you scan a unique serial:

Scan is accepted normally and the item is added to your receive list.

When you scan a duplicate serial:

• Scan is blocked immediately
• Warning message appears
• Item is not added to your list
• You can continue scanning other items

Key Details

Session-based checking: Duplicate detection resets with each new receiving session. If you scan serial "ABC123" in one session, complete it, then start a new session — you can scan "ABC123" again.

Per-item setting: The setting applies only to catalog items where you've enabled it. If Item A has the toggle ON and Item B has it OFF, duplicates are blocked only for Item A.

Same serial, different items: Two different catalog items can have the same (21) serial without conflict. The uniqueness check is per catalog item, not global across your entire catalog.

Barcodes without (21): If you scan a GS1 barcode that doesn't contain a (21) segment, the system accepts it normally — there's nothing to check for duplicates.

Case sensitivity: Serial numbers are case-sensitive. "abc123", "ABC123", and "Abc123" are treated as three different serials.

Example Scenarios

Scenario 1: Normal receiving with unique serials

All three items added to receive list.

Scenario 2: Accidental duplicate scan

Only 2 items in receive list (duplicate prevented).

Scenario 3: Mixed catalog items

Troubleshooting

"I'm getting blocked but this is a different physical item" 

Check if the items truly have unique (21) serials. If your supplier reuses serial numbers, you may need to turn this setting OFF for that catalog item.

"Duplicates aren't being blocked"

• Verify the toggle is ON for that specific catalog item
• Confirm the barcode contains a (21) segment
• Check that you're in the same receiving session (the check resets between sessions)

"I need to scan the same serial intentionally" Turn OFF the "Enforce Unique GS1 Serial" setting for that catalog item. The system will allow duplicates as before.

Questions?

Need help configuring GS1 serial enforcement for your catalog? Reach out to our support team!