Batch attribute setup changes not reflected in warehouse management picking process

ERP Microsoft Dynamics 365
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1

I’m running into a frustrating issue with batch attributes in D365 SCM 10.0.39. We recently updated our batch attribute setup to include two new attributes (pH level and viscosity) for our chemical products. The attributes are properly configured in the Product information management module and assigned to the correct batch attribute group.

However, when warehouse workers try to pick items that require these batch attributes, the mobile app doesn’t prompt for the new attributes during the picking process. The old attributes (expiration date and production date) still work fine. I’ve verified the batch attribute group assignment on the released products, and it shows all four attributes including the two new ones.

The synchronization job for warehouse management data entities shows as completed successfully. Has anyone dealt with batch attribute configuration changes not flowing through to the warehouse picking workflows? Is there a specific data entity or refresh process I need to run?

2

Don’t forget about the batch attribute group assignment at the item model group level. Sometimes the batch attribute group is assigned at the product level but not properly linked through the item model group. Check Table: InventTable and verify the BatchAttribGroupId field matches your intended group. Also run the ‘Synchronize warehouse items’ job from Warehouse management > Periodic tasks.

3

Check if your warehouse work template has the batch attribute reservation configured. Even if the product has the attributes assigned, the work template needs to be set up to prompt for batch selection based on those attributes. Go to Warehouse management > Setup > Work > Work templates and verify the ‘Batch attribute reservation’ field is enabled for your pick work order type.

4

Great that you got it resolved. For anyone else encountering this issue, here’s the complete solution path:

Batch Attribute Group Assignment Verification: First, confirm your batch attributes are properly configured and assigned. Navigate to Product information management > Setup > Batch attributes. Verify your new attributes (pH level and viscosity) exist with correct data types and ranges. Then check Batch attribute groups to ensure these attributes are included in the correct group. Finally, on your released products, verify the batch attribute group assignment under Product details > Manage inventory > Batch attributes tab.

Synchronization Job Status Check: The ‘Synchronize warehouse items’ job is critical for propagating batch attribute changes to warehouse management tables. Go to Warehouse management > Periodic tasks > Synchronize warehouse items. Run this job manually after making batch attribute changes. Check the job history to ensure it completed without errors. This job updates the WHSInventTable and related warehouse-specific tables with the new attribute mappings.

Data Entity Mapping Verification: Batch attributes flow through specific data entities. Check the data entity mappings for:

  • Batch attribute entity (BatchAttributeEntity)
  • Batch attribute group entity (BatchAttributeGroupEntity)
  • Released product batch attribute entity

If you’ve recently updated or customized these entities, staging table mismatches can prevent proper synchronization. Go to Data management > Framework parameters > Entity settings and refresh these entities.

Mobile Device Configuration: This is where many implementations fail. The mobile device menu item must explicitly specify which batch attributes to display:

  1. Navigate to Warehouse management > Setup > Mobile device > Mobile device menu items
  2. Select your picking menu item (e.g., ‘Sales Picking’)
  3. On the General FastTab, locate ‘Batch attribute display’ field
  4. Click ‘Edit’ and add your new attributes (pH level, viscosity) to the display list
  5. Set the display order as needed
  6. Save the configuration

Work Template Configuration: Verify Warehouse management > Setup > Work > Work templates:

  • Select your pick work order type
  • Ensure ‘Batch attribute reservation’ is set to ‘Yes’
  • Check that work template lines have proper inventory status and location directives

Mobile App Cache Refresh: Critical step often overlooked - the mobile app caches configuration data:

  • Have all users log out from Warehouse Management mobile app
  • On Android: Settings > Apps > Warehouse Management > Storage > Clear Cache
  • On iOS: Uninstall and reinstall the app (iOS doesn’t expose cache clearing)
  • Log back in - this forces a fresh configuration download

Additional Validation: After completing these steps, validate the configuration:

  1. Create a test batch with values for all attributes including the new ones
  2. Create a sales order for a batch-controlled item
  3. Release to warehouse and create picking work
  4. Use mobile device to pick - verify all attributes prompt correctly
  5. Check work execution history to confirm batch attributes were captured

Common Data Entity Issues: If synchronization continues to fail, check:

  • DMF staging tables for errors: Select Data management > Framework parameters > Staging cleanup
  • Entity refresh: Sometimes you need to refresh entity metadata after batch attribute schema changes
  • Custom extensions: If you have customizations on batch attribute entities, verify they’re not blocking standard synchronization logic

The key insight here is that batch attribute configuration exists in multiple layers (product master data, warehouse management configuration, mobile device setup) and all layers must be synchronized and properly configured for the end-to-end process to work.

5

Yes, the mobile device menu item configuration is crucial. Navigate to Warehouse management > Setup > Mobile device > Mobile device menu items. Find your picking menu item and check the ‘Batch attribute display’ field. You need to explicitly specify which batch attributes should be displayed during picking. If you only have the old attributes listed there, the new ones won’t show up regardless of the product configuration. Add your pH level and viscosity attributes to this list.

6

I had the workers clear their app cache and log back in, but still no luck with the new attributes showing up. The work template does have batch attribute reservation enabled. Could this be related to how the batch attributes are mapped in the mobile device menu items?