- SAP Managed Tags
Product traceability is no longer just a regulatory requirement; it has become a strategic imperative. Today, it underpins risk management, accelerates recalls, and builds consumer trust in increasingly complex supply chains. A robust traceability strategy safeguards brand integrity and drives competitive advantage in a market that demands transparency.
Historically, industries relied on SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure (AII) and SAP Object Event Repository (OER) on the NetWeaver platform as the standard for traceability, turning compliance into operational efficiency. But with SAP ending mainstream maintenance for NetWeaver applications by 2027, forward-thinking companies must plan their next move.
The strategic path forward is migration to SAP Corporate Serialization. More than an upgrade, it’s a transformative step that unifies AII and OER capabilities into a modern, integrated platform designed for today’s global supply chains. This transition future-proofs operations, meets evolving transparency requirements, and positions businesses for sustainable growth.
This article will guide supply chain leaders through this critical shift, addressing the most pressing questions about SAP Corporate Serialization:
- What is SAP Corporate Serialization?
- What capabilities does SAP Corporate Serialization offer?
- What are the use cases of SAP Corporate Serialization?
- What is the business value of SAP Corporate Serialization?
What is SAP Corporate Serialization?
SAP Corporate Serialization is a secure, private cloud-based SaaS solution that layers seamlessly on top of existing SAP ERP systems, consolidating the capabilities of SAP AII and SAP OER into a single, cohesive platform. It provides scalable serialization management, integrating with shop-floor systems and meeting global regulatory requirements.
The solution enables end-to-end visibility across the entire product lifecycle; from subcomponents to finished goods; transforming traceability from static records into a dynamic narrative. It authenticates products, combats counterfeiting, and manages both batch and logistics unit distribution. By unifying serialized data and events across suppliers, manufacturing sites, and customers, and integrating with systems like ERP, WMS, MES, and RFID/barcode technologies, SAP Corporate Serialization captures every event from production to delivery (Figure 1)
What capabilities does SAP Corporate Serialization offer?
1. Central Serial Number Management: Generate flexible alphanumeric, randomized, or product-specific serials and distribute them in bulk, reducing manual effort, ensuring accuracy, and supporting compliance.
2. End-to-End Integration and Extensibility: Connect seamlessly with SAP Business Network, SAP EWM, SAP ECC/S/4HANA, and non-SAP systems (Figure 2), while also extending the solution to accommodate customer-specific requirements and traceability attributes; enhancing operational decision-making and supply chain visibility.
3. Automation and Standardization: Automate serialization, reporting, and data exchange; streamlining workflows, enforcing consistent processes, and lowering risk of errors.
4. User Experience and Interfaces Monitoring: Intuitive SAP GUI and FIORI interfaces combined with SAP Application Interface Framework (AIF) monitoring; enabling faster onboarding, real-time transaction oversight, and quick resolution of exceptions.
5. Future-Proof, Cost-Efficient Architecture: Supports GS1, EPCIS, and other formats like IMEI, UID, and UDI. Consolidates legacy AII and OER systems, minimizes customization, and aligns with SAP S/4HANA and industry standards; reducing total cost of ownership while preparing businesses for evolving regulatory and operational demands.
What are the use cases of SAP Corporate Serialization?
SAP Corporate Serialization delivers flexible, industry-specific solutions that transform traceability from a compliance requirement into a strategic advantage. In automotive, it tracks EV batteries and safety-critical components throughout production and service lifecycles. Aerospace and defense benefit from full traceability of iUID-marked parts to meet stringent regulatory standards.
Consumer products leverage the platform to authenticate goods, combat counterfeiting, and engage buyers through digital product passports, while managing reusable assets like beverage kegs. In consumer electronics, it ensures serialization of devices, components, and software licenses, supporting traceability, warranty tracking, and fraud prevention. Tobacco and beverage industries use SAP Corporate Serialization to manage serial numbers linked to tax stamps and track premium or returnable products; ensuring compliance, authenticity, and streamlined reuse.
The hi-tech, utilities, and specialty gas sectors gain precise tracking of high-value components, spare parts, and cylinders, improving asset visibility, safety, and operational efficiency. In agribusiness, each pallet or shipment is tagged with a unique serial number, capturing its journey from harvest to delivery; enhancing logistics, inventory accuracy, and supply chain transparency.
Healthcare and medical device companies benefit from UDI compliance and post-sale serialization, linking components to digital service records to optimize lifecycle management, anticipate maintenance, and strengthen customer trust.
Across all these sectors, SAP Corporate Serialization proves its scalability and adaptability, supporting both compliance-driven and value-driven business outcomes, while turning traceability into a driver of efficiency, trust, and growth.
What is the business value of SAP Corporate Serialization?
Transitioning to SAP Corporate Serialization is not just about staying supported beyond 2027; it’s a strategic move that transforms traceability into a driver of efficiency, visibility, and growth. The platform operates in the background like an autopilot, automating serial number management operations, which improving employee productivity and freeing QA, logistics, and customer service teams to focus on exceptions, while providing instant access to service histories.
By centralizing serialized data, it reduces compliance and risk management costs, streamlines QA and RA workflows, and provides fully traceable records for audits. During recalls, affected products or components are identified quickly and precisely, minimizing operational disruption and waste.
Beyond operational gains, SAP Corporate Serialization safeguards brand reputation and drives sales. End-to-end traceability ensures authenticity, combats counterfeiting, and builds consumer trust, while digital experiences like product passports enhance engagement and encourage repeat purchases; protecting both brand and revenue.
Conclusion
The adoption of SAP Corporate Serialization is far more than a system upgrade; it’s a strategic investment in resilience, transparency, and long-term competitiveness. As the 2027 deadline approaches, the companies that act now will not only secure compliance but also unlock new value through lower costs, greater agility, and stronger consumer trust.
The question is no longer if serialization will redefine your supply chain, but how fast you can position your business to lead. Our team stands ready to partner with you; bringing best practices and proven expertise to ensure a seamless transition and help you capture the full potential of an intelligent product traceability ecosystem.
Learn how leading companies leverage SAP Corporate Serialization to achieve end-to-end product traceability, reduce operational complexity, and drive business resilience.
Feature by
Aladdin Mandishah and Falk Deckert, SAP
Upender Solanki, Novatio Solutions
Bluesky| User | Count |
|---|---|
| 9 | |
| 6 | |
| 5 | |
| 3 | |
| 3 | |
| 2 | |
| 2 | |
| 2 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 |
