Resources ## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](/) 2. [Resources](/resources/resource-center) 3. [Resource Center](/resources/resource-center) # Planning for Serialization: A Top-Down Approach ![banner-image](https://www.tracelink.com/sites/default/files/_global-asset/images/insights/top-down-approach.jpg) - [Download PDF](/node/16626/pdf) - [Share](#) - [ LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.tracelink.com/resources/resource-center/planning-for-serialization-a-topdown-approach&title=Planning for Serialization: A Top-Down Approach&summary=Serialization challenges make it critical to start strategizing from the network down to the device level. Watch this to prepare your IT operations.&source=TraceLink "LinkedIn") - [ Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.tracelink.com/resources/resource-center/planning-for-serialization-a-topdown-approach&t=Planning for Serialization: A Top-Down Approach "Facebook") - [ Mail ](mailto:?subject=Planning for Serialization: A Top-Down Approach+|+TraceLink&body=https://www.tracelink.com/resources/resource-center/planning-for-serialization-a-topdown-approach "Mail") - [ Twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Planning for Serialization: A Top-Down Approach https://www.tracelink.com/resources/resource-center/planning-for-serialization-a-topdown-approach&via=TraceLink "Twitter") #### Table of contents Serialization will impact all of your IT operations, from your packaging lines up through data exchange with your trading partners. In this 2-minute video, learn why it is critical to start strategizing from the top-down—and not at the device level—to ensure overall success. #### Video Transcription Speakers: - Dan Walles, VP, Solution Architecture & Global Partnerships - Rachna Mohanka, Director, Solutions Architecture - Shabbir Dahod, President and CEO Dan Walles: Serialization and track and trace is unique in that it impacts all aspects of your IT infrastructure, from the packaging line all the way through to exchanging data across your trade partners, as well as your contract manufacturers. Rachna Mohanka: As companies move to serialization, they need to think of a lot of things, and it's a very common approach to start thinking of the lines, and the devices, and the vision systems because those are more concrete and physical. Dan Walles: We encourage our customers to really look at this from a top‑down point of view, because decisions that are made today are really going to impact the efficiency by which you can exchange data with your downstream wholesalers, or your contract manufacturers. Dan Walles: When you start to look at the challenges of delivering thousands of messages on a daily basis, those challenges have not yet been solved in masse. Serialization and track and trace brings a unique requirement that companies haven't faced yet today. A solution like TraceLink has really built their capability, from a network perspective, trying to help companies meet that requirement. Shabbir Dahod: So at every level, we are interoperable with different governments, with different supply‑chain partners, with your internal systems and your internal processes. That's a fundamental, core capability of TraceLink, is to have interconnectivity and interoperability at every level of the stack. Dan Walles: Rather than operating within an independent serialization and track and trace system, the TraceLink solution was really designed to let them continue to operate how they do today, within their ERP, within their warehouse management system, that then communicates to TraceLink. TraceLink has developed interfaces with a number of the major ERP systems, a number of the major warehouse management systems, as well as line management systems. Dan Walles: This is all in the spirit of eliminating risk as part of the deployment process, because we have pre‑built, out of the box capability with these third party systems. [Video](/category/video)[Serial Number Manager](/category/serial-number-manager)[Global Track & Trace](/category/global-compliance)[Serialization](/category/serialization)[Brazil](/region-type/brazil), [China](/region-type/china), [European Union](/region-type/european-union), [Russia](/region-type/russia), [United States](/region-type/united-states) #### Table of contents Subscribe to Agile Supply Chain Insights Subscribe to stay informed with the latest patient-centric agile supply chain thought leadership content. ##### More Serialization and Compliance Resources [ ![factory-manufacturer.jpg](https://www.tracelink.com/sites/default/files/styles/resize_image_style_640_480/public/_global-asset/images/insights/factory-manufacturer.jpg.webp?itok=Mudzj-Xm) ](/resources/resource-center/the-5-levels-of-serialization-and-information-management) ##### The 5 Levels of Serialization and Information Management As you begin to tackle regulatory compliance, you’ll hear references to the different “levels” of serialization. If you lack components at any level, your business is at risk. [View More](/resources/resource-center/the-5-levels-of-serialization-and-information-management) [ ![brand-cmo-serialization-partnerships-large.jpg](https://www.tracelink.com/sites/default/files/styles/resize_image_style_640_480/public/_global-asset/images/insights/brand-cmo-serialization-partnerships-large.jpg.webp?itok=zJMmju8m) ](/resources/resource-center/tracelink-integrated-digital-supply-network-infographic) ##### TraceLink: The World's Largest Integrated Digital Supply Network TraceLink's network digitally connects the end-to-end pharmaceutical supply chain. See the infographic. [View More](/resources/resource-center/tracelink-integrated-digital-supply-network-infographic) [ ![futurelink-nashville-tracelink-poster-1.png](https://www.tracelink.com/sites/default/files/styles/resize_image_style_640_480/public/_global-asset/images/insights/futurelink-nashville-tracelink-poster-1.png.webp?itok=NYG41VvU) ](/resources/resource-center/case-study-tracelink-building-the-tracelink-network-one-business-process-ecosystem-at-a-time) ##### Case Study: TraceLink | Building the TraceLink Network One Business Process Ecosystem at a Time See how TraceLink's powerful digital supply network enables customers to quickly connect to trade partners for scaling up business process ecosystems. [View More](/resources/resource-center/case-study-tracelink-building-the-tracelink-network-one-business-process-ecosystem-at-a-time) [ ![edge-scanner-tracelink-tn.jpg](https://www.tracelink.com/sites/default/files/styles/resize_image_style_640_480/public/_global-asset/images/insights/edge-scanner-tracelink-tn.jpg.webp?itok=64A4Ibc5) ](/resources/resource-center/leading-india-pharma-co-gains-edge-in-operational-efficiency-compliance) ##### Leading India Pharma Co. Gains Edge in Operational Efficiency, Compliance Download this PDF to learn how an Edge solution can improve your operational efficiency. [View More](/resources/resource-center/leading-india-pharma-co-gains-edge-in-operational-efficiency-compliance) [ ![dc_with_many_boxes.jpg](https://www.tracelink.com/sites/default/files/styles/resize_image_style_640_480/public/_global-asset/images/insights/dc_with_many_boxes.jpg.webp?itok=NHeT8jR1) ](/resources/resource-center/aggregation-101-what-it-means-for-your-supply-chain) ##### Aggregation 101: What It Means for Your Supply Chain Serialization aggregation has the potential to add both complexity and cost for life sciences supply chain businesses. Understand the basics [View More](/resources/resource-center/aggregation-101-what-it-means-for-your-supply-chain) [ ![cost-breakdown.jpg](https://www.tracelink.com/sites/default/files/styles/resize_image_style_640_480/public/_global-asset/images/insights/cost-breakdown.jpg.webp?itok=_Ymr6brv) ](/resources/resource-center/how-much-will-serialization-really-cost) ##### How Much Will Serialization Really Cost? Get insights into how much serialization will really cost your company. Proven serialization solution providers can help identify additional costs. [View More](/resources/resource-center/how-much-will-serialization-really-cost)