Device Serialization - Generating a unique identifying serial number

[antho10359]

Currently each medical device we manufacturer receives a unique identifying serial number. But unfortunately this is also a manual process.

I would like to know if anyone knows of a program or has a spreadsheet that would generate a serial number. I have been looking in Excel trying to use the Julian Date coupled with an incremented counter.

Thanks for any help.

 

[lindal]

Currently each medical device we manufacturer receives a unique identifying serial number. But unfortunately this is also a manual process.

I would like to know if anyone knows of a program or has a spreadsheet that would generate a serial number. I have been looking in Excel trying to use the Julian Date coupled with an incremented counter.

Thanks for any help.

I don't use this myself, but I was playing around with it at lunch. This is what I noticed:

In excel, enter the date and then the first number in the serializtion scheme on cell 1A (12082004-0001), then enter the date and next number in the serialization scheme in cell 2A (12082004-0002). Select both cells and right-click on the fill-handle of the selection (position the mouse over the small square in the bottom right corner of the selection so that a solid black plus sign + appears instead of a fat white plus sign) while right-clicking, drag the area of the selection in the column to cover your daily production amounts. When you have selected enough cells, release the right side mouse button. A menu will pop up that says "copy cells, fill series, fill formatting only, and fill without formatting". Select "fill series". That's it.

It's still a pretty manual system, because you have to change the date. Although as you end up with more history in the spreadsheet, excel may be able to detect a pattern if your daily production rates are stable (30 widgets per day, for example).

L

It's an idea. I hope it works or that someone has a much better way to do it.