Stock vs. items vs. serialized items

Overview

In MaintSpace, inventory is structured in three main layers:

• Items – What the part is

• Stock – How many you have and where

• Serialized items – Individual tracked components

Each serves a different purpose in your workflow.

Items (what the part is)

An item represents a part number.

It defines:

• Part number (P/N)

• Name and description

• Unit of measure

• Tracking type (standard, serialized, batch)

Think of an item as the definition of a part.

Example:
“Brake Caliper” (P/N-1410105)

Stock (how many you have)

Stock shows how many units of an item you have and where they are located.

It includes:

• Quantity on hand

• Location (e.g. warehouse, hangar)

• Availability status

Stock changes when you:

• Receive items

• Move items between locations

• Use items in work orders

• Adjust inventory

Think of stock as your current inventory levels.

Serialized items (individual components)

Serialized items are used for parts that require individual tracking.

Each serialized item has:

• A unique serial number

• Its own history and status

• Traceability across its lifecycle

Examples:

• Avionics units

• Engines or major components

• High-value or regulated parts

Each unit is tracked individually — not just as a quantity.

How they work together

These concepts are connected:

• You create an item to define a part

• You add stock when you receive quantities

• You track serialized items when individual traceability is required

Example workflow:

1. Create an item (Brake Caliper)
2. Receive 5 units into stock
3. Store them in a location
4. Use 1 unit in a work order

If the item is serialized, each unit would be tracked separately.

When to use each

Use:

• Items – Always (every part starts as an item)

• Stock – To track quantities and availability

• Serialized items – When individual tracking is required

Choosing the correct setup ensures proper traceability and compliance.