As we all know till recently we cannot change the item in IB once it is created (neither from UI nor from API) from any source (from IB UI or from Inventory). The reason is plain simple: too many dependencies. Serial number from inventory travels across from Inventory to IB when it is used in a transaction. Also if it is created in IB, it goes and sits in Inventory as well. Also counters are associated with inventory item and they get instantiated when IB is created for that item. This list is partial and goes on and on.

As you can see changing item associated with IB instance has some consequences. Nevertheless, people do make mistakes using wrong serial number when item is transacted and IB gets created or updated with that and subsequent issues ensue. Genuinely sometimes there is a need to change the item, if everything else seems OK.

Till R11i it is not possible and hence people have to do some creative work like issuing it out in inventory and receiving correct serial number or other methods like updating the serial number and expire it in IB and recreating it. Without question, this is a bit painful.

Now this is possible in R12. There is a new transaction type introduced for the application Complex Overhaul and Repair called Item Serial Change. If you use this transaction type in item instance update API, you can change item. But if you use CMRO product this transaction type can be used to execute a transaction to change the item. Of course, if there is a depot repair order open on this serial number, CMRO also cannot change the item. I am not fully clear on the business process that demands item change in that application, but if you have used it, please share. You can see a small presentation here and the script used is here.