Stock Take & Cycle Counting
STOCK TAKE MODULE
DATASCOPE WMS features an advanced stock taking module that optimizes inventory count accuracy and reduces counting time but also offers significant benefits over traditional methods by allowing live monitoring and management of second and third counts on bins with variances, seamlessly integrating with SYSPRO. Counts are opened in SYSPRO as normal and then flagged to start in the DATASCOPE WMS system. Teams are then sent out to count, and counting data is transacted live into the stock take module. An intuitive stock take review screen allows the controllers to monitor the progress of the count throughout the day. Bins with variances are highlighted within minutes of the count start time, and a second count team can be sent out to recount bins with variances immediately.
The full count history is recorded at a user level to easily track the number of times a bin was counted and by whom and when with all quantity counted records.
Due to implementing a TrackID on every pallet, drum, bale, etc., the counting process is far quicker than in a manual count environment. For instance, if a pallet is counted in a bulk location and that location’s warehouse is flagged to allow closed pallet counts, the user can scan the bin location and the pallet and move on. Counting all SKUs on the pallet is unnecessary, as we know it is still closed.
When counting pick face bin locations, the stock take will enforce the correct SKU to be counted in each bin if the setting is activated to validate the pick face setup records. Functionality also exists to ensure that users scan stock codes and lot numbers. This prevention of manual entry can reduce finger errors and incorrect counts.
Stock can be counted in stocking, alternate, or other units of measure (UOM) to reduce confusion on the floor. The PC-based review screen allows the controllers to view these conversions to stocking units of measure (UOM) and edit or delete them where required.
Although SYSPRO manages expiry dates at a bin level, DATASCOPE WMS will recognize the same lot in another bin location and automatically use the correct expiry date should the stock be counted into a new location during stock take. Functionality also exists to not post expiry dates to SYSPRO at all, thus allowing SYSPRO to manage expiries alone.
When a warehouse needs to continue trading during a stock count, we typically have to set up options. One is to break the warehouse into two virtual warehouses in SYSPRO – a bulk “warehouse” and a pick face “warehouse.” This way, we can replenish the pick face warehouse before opening a bulk warehouse stock count. The pick face warehouse remains fully active during the bulk warehouse count – which is often 80% or more of the total inventory holding. The other option is to allow for picking to continue during the count. This is not the best practice but is sometimes a reality for call-in customers. In this case, the SYSPRO count can be canceled while the DATASCOPE WMS count is in progress. SYSPRO then remains active, and DATASCOPE WMS can be used to continue picking, packing, and invoicing orders. At the end of the count and after recounting affected bins, the SYSPRO count is reopened, and the DATASCOPE WMS stock count is posted. To count each TrackID, users can count each stock code and quantity blindly or be prompted by SKU and/or quantity. In a carton environment, 2D carton labels can be scanned and summed for each bin. Closed pallet stock take allows the user to scan only the TrackID in the bin, importing the full quantity of TrackID to the count. This is particularly useful in environments where bulk pallets have been pre-counted and wrapped and should not be re-opened to validate unit quantities.
All stock count history is automatically saved as each stock count is given a unique count ID. Reporting can be pulled to compare count accuracies over time.
CYCLE COUNTING MODULE
Cycle counting is a process of frequently counting pre-determined portions of the total inventory throughout the year. As this is one of the most vital tasks within a warehouse, ensuring that bins and inventory are as accurate as possible is vital, therefore, you need to ensure that cycle counting happens regularly.
Many factors influence how theoretical inventory levels can become out of balance with physical levels. The DATASCOPE WMS Cycle Counting module can significantly assist a warehouse in keeping track of its inventory levels.
Regular cycle counts can assist warehouses in getting the DATASCOPE WMS quantities in line with their SYSPRO quantities. This, in return, will also resolve any DATASCOPE WMS Balance Report issues.
