Stock Counts

Verify actual inventory through physical counting.

Count Types

Full Physical Count

Count all inventory:

• Typically annual
• May require operations pause
• Most comprehensive

Cycle Counting

Count portions regularly:

• Ongoing throughout year
• No operations pause needed
• Based on schedule or triggers

Spot Count

Count specific items:

• Triggered by discrepancy
• Random audit
• High-value verification

Count Workflow

stateDiagram-v2
    [*] --> Planned
    Planned --> InProgress: Start
    InProgress --> PendingReview: Submit
    PendingReview --> Approved: Approve
    PendingReview --> InProgress: Reject
    Approved --> [*]

Status Definitions

Creating Stock Counts

Step 1: Plan Count

1. Go to ERP > Stock > Stock Counts
2. Click New Stock Count
3. Configure:
   • Stock site
   • Count type
   • Products/categories to include
   • Scheduled date

Step 2: Generate Count Sheet

1. Click Generate Count Sheet
2. System creates list of items
3. Optional: Hide expected quantities

Step 3: Perform Count

1. Assign counters
2. Physically count items
3. Enter counted quantities
4. Note any issues

Step 4: Review Results

1. Compare counted vs expected
2. Review discrepancies
3. Investigate significant variances
4. Document findings

Step 5: Approve and Adjust

1. Approve count results
2. System creates adjustments
3. Inventory updated

Count Methods

Blind Counting

Counter doesn't see expected quantity:

• Reduces bias
• More accurate
• Recommended for audits

Assisted Counting

Counter sees expected quantity:

• Faster execution
• Confirm-and-adjust approach
• Good for verification

Barcode Counting

Scan items during count:

• Very accurate
• Faster for many items
• Requires equipment

Cycle Counting Strategies

ABC Analysis

Count by value/velocity:

Location-Based

Count by physical area:

• Rotate through locations
• Complete facility over time
• Systematic coverage

Random Sampling

Statistical approach:

• Random product selection
• Confidence level based
• Efficient for large inventories

Handling Discrepancies

Small Variances

Within tolerance:

1. Approve adjustment
2. No investigation required
3. Monitor patterns

Significant Variances

Above tolerance:

1. Recount to verify
2. Investigate cause
3. Document findings
4. Approve with notes

Common Causes

Count Reports

Best Practices

Preparation

• Notify operations team
• Complete pending transactions
• Organize storage areas
• Brief counters

Execution

• Count systematically
• Double-count high-value items
• Document issues immediately
• Don't adjust before approval

Follow-up

• Investigate large variances
• Update procedures as needed
• Train on common errors
• Track accuracy trends

Related