Glossary · Packaging and intralogistics
Serialization aggregation
Also known as: Aggregation, Parent-child aggregation
German: Serialisierungsaggregation
In packaging, serialization aggregation is the recording of parent-child relationships between serialized units and the containers they are packed into, for example which serial numbers are in which case and which cases are on which pallet.
- Intralogistics
In one sentence
Serialization aggregation records which serialized units are packed in which case and which cases are on which pallet.
Example
The case packer's camera reads all 24 carton codes, and the line system links them to the case's serial shipping code before sealing.
How it applies
- Engineering: Aggregation stations read the codes of all child units (often with a camera through the open case) and link them to the parent code. Disaggregation and re-aggregation handle rework, samples and damaged units.
- Regulation: Aggregation lets a distributor verify a whole case by scanning one code. Whether it is required depends on the market; in the US, DSCSA requirements for package-level tracing make aggregation data widely used, while the EU Falsified Medicines Directive does not require it.
- Data integrity: Aggregation data must stay consistent through rework and returns. Errors propagate to every downstream partner.
- Documentation: Document the aggregation hierarchy, how rework and sampling update it, and who may override a failed aggregation. Records of manual interventions belong in the audit trail.
Aggregation vs. serialization
Serialization gives each unit a unique identity. Aggregation records the packing relationships between those identities.