# Kanoa Trace Training

This section is focused on Kanoa Trace: tracking lots of material as they're received, moved, transformed, inspected, packed and shipped, so you can answer "what went into this?" and "where did this go?".

Trace implementations vary much more than Ops or Quality. One plant receives material by hand and ships pallets; another creates lots automatically from PLC data and tracks totes on carts. So this course works in two parts:

1. **Trace Fundamentals** (required): learn the lot model, then prove it by building a complete genealogy by hand in Lot Manager, from raw aluminum to a shipped package.
2. **Electives**: pick the topics that match your projects: lot functions and custom screens, rules on lot operations, lot states, routes, and transports.

::embed-section{src="../../kanoa-trace.md" collapsed="true" summary="Reference Materials: Kanoa Trace - What Trace does and how it fits into Kanoa MES."}

## Before you start

- Complete [Kanoa Ops Training](../4-training-ops/index.md). Trace uses the CoreForge assets and items from that course.
- Your gateway needs a Kanoa Trace license (a trial license is fine).

:::download[Trace item and asset files]

If your CoreForge model is missing anything the Trace lessons use, import these files.

- <a href="/files/trace-resources/items-trace.json" download><code>items-trace.json</code></a>: all CoreForge items used in the course, from raw aluminum and coating ingredients to finished packages.
- <a href="/files/trace-resources/machine-1-asset.json" download><code>machine-1-asset.json</code></a>, <a href="/files/trace-resources/mixer-1-asset.json" download><code>mixer-1-asset.json</code></a>, <a href="/files/trace-resources/spray-line-1-asset.json" download><code>spray-line-1-asset.json</code></a>, <a href="/files/trace-resources/qa-station-asset.json" download><code>qa-station-asset.json</code></a> and <a href="/files/trace-resources/auto-pack-1-asset.json" download><code>auto-pack-1-asset.json</code></a>: the assets a lot passes through.

:::

## Questions to answer before any Trace implementation

Use these when you scope a real project. The rest of the course shows how Kanoa answers each one.

- What material identity do we track, and how are lots named?
- Which operations move material (transfers), and which change it into something new (transformations)?
- What are the inputs and outputs of each operation?
- How do quantity, location and state change at each step?
- Which backward and forward traces must we be able to answer?
- Is Lot Manager enough, or do operators need custom screens?
- Should operations be restricted to certain assets or items?
- Is there an expected route through the process?
- Do lots ride on carriers, such as totes, carts, forklifts or trailers?