Abstract: A method of tracking an item across a multiple party relationship includes receiving a unique identifier for an item; storing the unique identifier in a record; receiving an item event related to an item's movement through the multiple party relationship; and updating the record to reflect the item event. A method of linking items to multiple packaging levels includes receiving a unique identifier for an item; receiving information related to the unique identifier; storing the unique identifier and the information in a record; and linking the unique identifier to a second unique identifier such that updating the record for a unique identifier will result in the update of a record for the second unique identifier and updating the record for the second unique identifier will result in the updating of the record for the unique identifier.