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Manufacturing Process

Product identification and unit-level traceability

Intel employs systems to manage product identification, with unit-level traceability for CPUs and chipsets and lot-level traceability for boards and systems. A record retention system is used to manage and store this information.

Latest generation CPU and chipset product identification

Intel's component traceability system enables product identification and tracking through all stages of manufacturing, storage, and shipment to the first point of sale. Identification methods include lot-tracking numbers that allow forward and reverse traceability of products. Periodic audits are performed at each site to ensure compliance. Record retention guidelines ensure lot history maintenance.

Intel moves component production material through the factories in lots. For component products, Intel assigns a unique fabrication plant (Fab) lot number. When assembly receives the released lots, an assembly lot traveler is assigned to track the lot through the assembly operations. At selected locations throughout the assembly/test and finish processes, each unit is identified through the 2-D mark, establishing unit level traceability with critical data associated with these individual units.

Boards and systems

Production materials move through the factories in work order lots, which assign a unique serial number to individual boards. This serial number is the key identifier linking the board or system to a particular lot and its manufacturing history, including components mounted on the board or system, and shipment destination records.

Records retention/retrieval

Intel's records management policy requires keeping records pertaining to product traceability for up to seven years unless mandated otherwise.

In components manufacturing, the tracking system provides lot and unit genealogy, last known location, and status of products. This system facilitates tracing component products from the customer back to the Fab lot and from the Fab lot to the customer/location.

Records retention/retrieval

The illustration above shows how data feeds into databases and moves to the tracking system.