What mechanism electronically links serialized units, like individual blister packs, to their next level of packaging, such as an outer carton?
Aggregation
Aggregation is a foundational process within modern supply chain serialization, specifically concerning the management of data hierarchy. It involves the electronic linkage of smaller, uniquely serialized sellable units to their immediate higher-level packaging container. For example, if ten blister packs each carry a unique serialized National Drug Code (NDC), aggregation digitally connects those ten individual identifiers to the unique identifier of the outer carton they are placed into. This process is crucial because it allows the supply chain system to infer the status of all contained items simply by scanning the larger container. If a pallet containing several cartons is scanned, the system instantly knows the tracking data for every single item residing within those linked cartons, enabling efficient management throughout distribution.
