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Basic Concepts

On this page, you will learn about the fundamental concept of the system: lots, why they are important, and how your data is stored securely.

What is a Lot?​

A lot is a group of identical products that share the same expiration date.

In practice, this helps to better organize your products when you have the same item purchased at different times, each with a different expiration date.

Simple Example​

Imagine you bought milk of the same brand twice:

  • 🥛 Milk purchased in January — expires on March 10
  • 🥛 Milk purchased in February — expires on March 25

Even though they are exactly the same product (same brand and type of milk), they have different expiration dates. Each expiration date represents a different lot in the application.

Why use lots?​

Organizing your products in lots allows you to:

  • Properly track different expiration dates for the same product.
  • Avoid losing products due to expiration.
  • Know exactly which item expires first (FIFO rule - First In, First Out).
  • Have a more accurate control of what you actually have in physical stock.
Summary
  • Product: The item itself (ex: Condensed Milk).
  • Lot: A version of that product with a specific expiration date (ex: Condensed Milk that expires on Dec 15).

Whenever a product has another expiration date, it must be registered as a new lot.

Data Storage​

How your data is stored depends on the version of the application you use:

1. Free Version (Expiry Traker)​

In the free version, your products are stored only on your mobile phone.

Warning

If the device is lost, stolen, formatted, damaged, or if the application is uninstalled without you having made a manual backup export, all data will be lost and there will be no way to recover it through support.

We recommend keeping your device protected and exporting your data periodically for backup.

2. PRO Users (Expiry Traker)​

When subscribing to Expiry Traker PRO, your data is automatically synchronized with the cloud under your account. This allows you to:

  • Synchronize your products between multiple compatible devices;
  • Restore all data when changing phones or reinstalling the application;
  • Regain access after restoring your subscription.

3. Expiry Traker for Teams Users​

In Expiry Traker for Teams, all data is saved in the cloud in the organization's account. You can reinstall the app, change phones, or access directly from a computer via the ExpiryTraker Web portal without losing anything at all, just by logging in with your credentials.