This is how Lyra WMS with best-before support helps you manage your products with expiration dates as effectively as possible.
In logistics and fulfillment, working efficiently is important, but when it comes to products with an expiration date, there's another critical factor to consider: Best-before date managementYet, many warehouse management systems have limited or cumbersome ways to record best-before dates.
Lyra WMS approaches this differently. Our best-before date function is designed for fulfillment companies and online stores that handle food, supplements, cosmetics, animal products, or healthcare products. The result: reduced risk, fewer errors, and significantly improved inventory rotation.
In this blog, we explain how the best-before functionality works and why a WMS with best-before dates (such as Lyra) is essential when processing products with expiration dates.
1. Best-before date registration upon receipt
A good best-before workflow starts as soon as products enter the warehouse. In Lyra WMS, you can impact indicate immediately:
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the exact expiration date
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the location where the batch is stored
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any internal comments or batch information
This immediately creates a complete and error-free registration of all best-before batch locationsNo Excel lists, no loose notes: everything is centrally and accessibly in real time.
2. Smart FIFO picking
A major advantage of a WMS with best-before date management is that you stock is automatically delivered correctly.
Lyra WMS does this via strict FIFO logic (First In, First Out):
The system looks at the best-before dates of all available batches and automatically selects the products with the most urgent date for new picking lists.
That means:
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less risk of expired products
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better inventory rotation
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a more efficient cash flow
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a more professional fulfillment service for your customers
Warehouse workers don't have to remember or check anything. Lyra ensures the process runs smoothly, automatically.
3. Automatic notifications for approaching expiration dates
For fulfillment companies, it is crucial that customers know when products are approaching their expiration date. Lyra WMS therefore sends automatic notifications to the fulfillment customer when a best-before date is about to expire.
These notifications help with:
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prevention of loss
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take timely action (discount, marketing push, return to supplier)
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insight into which batches require attention
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better planning for leftover stock
This makes Lyra one of the few WMS systems that also actively manages best-before dates. communicates towards the client.
4. Quick best-before check during recounts
Best-before dates are often discovered too late, unless the process is properly configured. During recounts, Lyra WMS immediately displays the expiration dates in the system, allowing employees to easily check whether:
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the correct best-before date is linked to the correct batch
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the stock still meets quality standards
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manual work or corrections are required
This control makes the warehouse more reliable and prevents administrative errors.
5. Why a WMS with best-before date is indispensable (and Lyra WMS excels in this)
Best-before date management is not only important for fulfillment companies' operations, but also for legal and commercial reasons. With Lyra WMS, you prevent:
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errors in batch management
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unnecessary loss
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miscommunication with customers
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stock that unexpectedly becomes worthless
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unnecessary claims and discussions
With our best-before function you have:
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full traceability
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smart FIFO picking
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customer notifications about product board data
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batch management integrated into every workflow
All without additional manual administration.
6. Who is Lyra WMS with best-before date functionality ideal for?
This feature is perfect for fulfillment companies and online stores that work with:
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food and beverages
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supplements
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cosmetics and care products
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animal food or care
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health & wellness
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pharmaceutical-related products
In short: any sector in which best-before date management is crucial.
Conclusion: A WMS with best-before date is not a luxury, but a necessity
Best-before date management is a serious responsibility in logistics. With Lyra WMS, you can fully automate this process and reduce the risk of errors to an absolute minimum. The combination of registration, FIFO picking, customer notifications, and checks makes Lyra one of the most comprehensive WMS systems for best-before products.
