--- title: "Bypassing Current Serial Number Restrictions on Retail Device Sales" slug: "bypassing-current-serial-number-restrictions-on-retail-device-sales" updated: 2026-04-30T20:35:52Z published: 2026-05-24T14:39:40Z canonical: "help.idibilling.com/bypassing-current-serial-number-restrictions-on-retail-device-sales" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.idibilling.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Bypassing Current Serial Number Restrictions on Retail Device Sales Current wireless retail functionality in the IDI platform supports configuring devices (Handsets) by *Technology Type*. In doing so, the system enforces business rules for the expected serial number (Equipment ID) formats per the *Technology Type* (15 or 16 numeric characters maximum, no alpha characters allowed). Some carriers now offer a *home internet* setup with wireless routers. These devices may use a different Equipment ID format that prevents them from being sold in POS as a traditional wireless equipment associated to a service. To support the sale of such devices in POS Make Sale this enhancement lets you bypass Equipment ID business rules for handset Technology Type by associating a retail product SKU with an equipment type created in the Inventory web module. This changes the business rules for the Make Sale Wizard *[Product Name} Detail* page where you enter the Equipment ID. This version of the Product Detail page supports Equipment ID values of up to 50 *alphanumeric* characters. In IDI Desktop Client and Customer Care you can view the retail device with associated equipment type and Equipment ID on the service. This lets you see devices on a service (other than handsets) that may contribute to charges on the service. If the product is returned the association is removed such that the serial number is available for use on another service. ## Setup This functionality requires the following setup: - **Create *Equipment Types* in the Inventory web module**. Follow the instructions in Inventory web help (available on E-Support > Help Resources page). There are no specific requirements for these equipment types. - **For each device that needs to bypass handset Equipment ID restrictions,** associate an equipment type (and Inventory) to a serialized retail product. This is done in the IDI Desktop Client Product Catalog as described below. ### Associating an Equipment Type on a Retail Product SKU The Add/Edit Retail Product form in the Product Catalog has a new set of *Equipment* fields that let you associate the product to an *equipment type* created in the Inventory web module. > [!NOTE] > **Note**: > > These fields are only enabled when the **Serialized** check box is checked; otherwise, they’re disabled. To make the association, with the **Serialized** checkbox checked: - Check the **Assign to Service level by Default** check box. This setting is a required to support the equipment association. - In the *Equipment* section make your selections in the **Type** and **Inventory** drop down menus. ![Graphical user interface, application Description automatically generated](https://cdn.us.document360.io/3f7f8ade-bcb1-4ec8-af25-0c0ad8601afb/Images/Documentation/graphical-user-interface-application-description-5(7).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-14T11%3A05%3A04Z&se=2026-11-14T12%3A05%3A04Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=okhV9U1n4qhSmk47nfqSWLrdDQCxbHiPQ%2FGf0KpAVTU%3D) ## POS Make Sale Wizard When you sell a retail product associated to an equipment type as described above, the Make Sale Wizard *[Product Name] Detail* page lets you enter a serial number of up to 50 alphanumeric characters. - Start by selecting a guided sales flow that includes the retail product you created to bypass the current expected maximum number and alpha character restrictions and proceed as normal. The Product Detail page is presented before the Service Option page unless your guided flow is configured to *Select Service First*. The title for this page is the name of your retail product SKU followed by the word *Detail* (for example *AR8751 Detail*). - On this page fill in the **Equipment ID** and **Inventory Status**. The Equipment ID field accepts from 1 to 50 alphanumeric characters. The equipment ID supplied cannot be associated to any other service. ![Graphical user interface, application Description automatically generated](https://cdn.us.document360.io/3f7f8ade-bcb1-4ec8-af25-0c0ad8601afb/Images/Documentation/graphical-user-interface-application-description-6(4).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-14T11%3A05%3A04Z&se=2026-11-14T12%3A05%3A04Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=okhV9U1n4qhSmk47nfqSWLrdDQCxbHiPQ%2FGf0KpAVTU%3D) - Then finish in the wizard as normal. ## Viewing Equipment Associations for a Service Once a retail product with an equipment type association is sold out to a service, the system creates a record for this association in the IDI database. The information stored in this record enables you to view the equipment association in both the Client as well as Customer Care. This lets you see devices on a service (other than handsets) that may contribute to charges on the service. > [!NOTE] > **Note:** > > For database replication purposes, the name of the table where these records are stored is *InventoryItemAssociation*. ### IDI Desktop Client – Customer Management In the Client, in the Customer window go to the **Services** tab. When you right click on a service, there is a new submenu option in the **View** menu. Right-click on a service and choose **View** > **Equipment Associations**. ![Graphical user interface, text, application, email Description automatically generated](https://cdn.us.document360.io/3f7f8ade-bcb1-4ec8-af25-0c0ad8601afb/Images/Documentation/graphical-user-interface-text-application-email-1(1).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-14T11%3A05%3A04Z&se=2026-11-14T12%3A05%3A04Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=okhV9U1n4qhSmk47nfqSWLrdDQCxbHiPQ%2FGf0KpAVTU%3D) This displays the Equipment Associations view that lists the Equipment Type and Serial Number of the device now associated to the service. ![Table Description automatically generated](https://cdn.us.document360.io/3f7f8ade-bcb1-4ec8-af25-0c0ad8601afb/Images/Documentation/table-description-automatically-generated(4).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-14T11%3A05%3A04Z&se=2026-11-14T12%3A05%3A04Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=okhV9U1n4qhSmk47nfqSWLrdDQCxbHiPQ%2FGf0KpAVTU%3D) You can also see a history of the transaction on the **Retail History** tab. ![Graphical user interface, application Description automatically generated](https://cdn.us.document360.io/3f7f8ade-bcb1-4ec8-af25-0c0ad8601afb/Images/Documentation/graphical-user-interface-application-description-7(3).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-14T11%3A05%3A04Z&se=2026-11-14T12%3A05%3A04Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=okhV9U1n4qhSmk47nfqSWLrdDQCxbHiPQ%2FGf0KpAVTU%3D) ### Customer Care In Customer Care, this equipment association can be found in the Device Information section of the Services and Features page, as well as the Device section of the Service Details page. In the customer menu select **Services** > **Services and Features**. Then on the Services and Features page select the service in the left pane and select **View** > **Device** Information in the right pane. ![Graphical user interface, application Description automatically generated](https://cdn.us.document360.io/3f7f8ade-bcb1-4ec8-af25-0c0ad8601afb/Images/Documentation/graphical-user-interface-application-description-8(3).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-14T11%3A05%3A04Z&se=2026-11-14T12%3A05%3A04Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=okhV9U1n4qhSmk47nfqSWLrdDQCxbHiPQ%2FGf0KpAVTU%3D) Or click service number link and select the **DEVICE** tab. ![Graphical user interface, application Description automatically generated](https://cdn.us.document360.io/3f7f8ade-bcb1-4ec8-af25-0c0ad8601afb/Images/Documentation/graphical-user-interface-application-description-9(2).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-14T11%3A05%3A04Z&se=2026-11-14T12%3A05%3A04Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=okhV9U1n4qhSmk47nfqSWLrdDQCxbHiPQ%2FGf0KpAVTU%3D) ## Returns The device associated with the service number can be returned by right-clicking the line item in the **Retail History** tab and selecting **Return**. This is not new functionality. Returning the device will DELETE the association record between the service and equipment inventory item. This means there will not be a history of equipment associations, and the serial number will be freed up for use on another service.